You can fight temptation by doing four things: take your thoughts captive, run away, run toward good things, and tell somebody. Temptation is when you want to do something you know is wrong. Everyone faces it, even grown-ups. But God promises to help you, and he always gives you a way out.
Parents: This article is written for kids to read with you. For help leading the conversation, see the Parenting in a Sexualized Culture series.
Everyone Gets Tempted
Being tempted doesn’t make you bad. Even Jesus was tempted, but he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Here’s a promise to remember.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
God won’t let a temptation be too strong for you, and he will always show you a way out. Here are four ways to take it.
1. Take Your Thoughts Captive
Paul says we should “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Taking a thought captive is like catching a bug in a jar so it can’t fly around. When a wrong thought pops into your head, catch it, and don’t let it stay. Tell yourself, “That’s not what God wants.”
2. Run Away
Sometimes the best thing to do is get away from the temptation fast.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
“Flee” means run! Turn off the screen, leave the room, or walk away from friends who are doing something wrong.
3. Run Toward Good Things
That same verse tells us to “pursue,” or chase after, good things like faith, love, and peace. When you run away from something bad, run toward something good. Go play outside, read a book, help someone, or hang out with friends who love God. Memorizing Bible verses helps too: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
4. Tell Somebody
Temptation is strongest when it’s kept secret. Tell your parents or another trusted adult. They can pray for you and help you. You can also talk to God anytime, and he’s always ready to help (Hebrews 4:16).
The Takeaway
Everyone gets tempted, but God always gives you a way out. Take your thoughts captive, run away, run toward good things, and tell somebody. You don’t have to fight temptation alone.
