Beginning of the End

How to Overcome Temptation

The heart must be renewed by divine grace. Whoever tries to build up an honorable character without the grace of Christ is building a house on shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation it will certainly come crashing down. David’s prayer should be the cry of every person: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). BOE 227.5

Yet we have a work to do to resist temptation. Those who would not be overcome by Satan’s schemes must carefully guard the ways into their soul—they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing anything that will suggest impure thoughts. This will require earnest prayer and always being carefully alert. We must be helped by the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract the mind higher to think on pure and holy things. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” “Your word,” says the psalmist, “I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9, 11). BOE 228.1

Israel’s sin at Beth Peor brought the judgments of God on the nation. The same sins may not be punished as quickly now, but nature has set terrible penalties, penalties that will come to every transgressor sooner or later. These sins more than any other have caused the fearful physical and moral decline of the human race and the weight of disease and misery with which the world is cursed. People may succeed in hiding their sin from others, but they will reap the result in suffering, disease, or death. And beyond this life stands the judgment. “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” but will have their part with Satan and the evil angels in that “lake of fire” which “is the second death” (Galatians 5:21; Revelation 20:14). BOE 228.2