If I have the Holy Ghost, why am I still tempted?

Last updated on Feb 24, 2023

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters / Unsplash

This is a common question, but it derives from a wrong understanding. The Holy Ghost does not eliminate all temptation from your life--just as God did not bring Israel into a land completely devoid of giants. They had to fight, but they had a promise of overcoming.

So it is after the Holy Spirit indwells you. You will still be tempted, and you will still have to fight. But He gives you the ability to overcome temptation, by a combination of inner power, and outward tactics. If you are failing, you may be missing one or the other. (or both)

(link to digital holiness intervention scale)

Let's take the outer tactics first. The Bible makes it very clear what the primary tool is: Avoidance.

Did Timothy have the Holy Ghost? He was appointed by Paul himself to be an overseer in the church. Certainly he would not be given that position as an unsaved man! But in Paul's instructions to Timothy, we have this interesting statement:

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22, KJV.

We used the word "avoidance." But "flee" is an even stronger word! Don't stand and stare in the presence of temptation--Run!--even as a Holy Ghost filled minister, like Timothy. Why? The pull of the flesh is strong. A healthy respect for that strength instructs us not to put our spiritual will-power to the test. The devastation of falling into sin is way too great for foolish experimentation. Win the battle before it starts.

And the second part of the verse is instructive also: Turn away FROM something, but not to a vaccum. Turn away TO something, "...but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace..." One without the other is not likely to succeed.

In his instruction to flee youthful lusts, Paul was completely in harmony with Jesus, who in the Lord's prayer, closes with the words:

"...lead us not into temptation..."

Interesting that Jesus does not say, "...lead us not into SIN." Why not? The lesson is that the power of sin is defeated at the temptation level. Avoid the places where temptation is known to lurk.

Even psychology knows this. An article in Psychology Today offers these 4 tips:

"1. Situation Selection: Whenever possible, avoid any situations where you know you will confront temptation. For instance, if you’re tempted to eat junk food, stay away from fast-food restaurants (don’t even drive by), and don’t go down the snack or baked-goods aisles of the supermarket (or any other aisle that’s filled with temptation).

Situation Modification: If you can’t completely avoid a situation that may involve temptation, do what you can to reduce the pull. If you’re at a party or a club and trying not to drink alcohol, stay as far away from the bar as possible. Try to connect with other non-drinkers.

Distraction: Divert your attention away from temptation. For instance, if you’re trying not to overeat or over-drink at a party, stay engaged in conversations and always have a glass of water in hand to sip on.

Reappraisal: Change the way you think about the temptation so it becomes less appealing. Craving that double cheeseburger? Remind yourself that if you give in, you’ll be eating ground-up animal muscle and artery-clogging fat.

You can try to neutralize most temptation by exerting self-control, but it’s not always easy. By proactively initiating these self-control strategies—by planning ahead—the researchers say you have a better chance of resisting temptation..."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cravings/201911/4-ways-avoid-temptation-and-reach-your-goals

But How do I "avoid" the constant temptations on my Smartphone?

The internet present on a smartphone is a 24-7 supercharged temptation device. You may get tired of resisting, and eventually wear out. But it will never tire of tempting you, and it will always operate at full strength, even at your weakest moment.

There is no shame at all in trading in your Smartphone for an old-style flip phone. But who would actually do this? Well, actually, many people have done this, and reported excellent results. Believe it or not, there are ways to survive in this world without carrying around a smartphone, you just have to do a little planning. You will be giving up some things, for sure, but if your salvation is on the line, what you gain will be of far more value than what you give up. And you are fully within the counsel of the Scripture to "avoid temptation" at one of its most powerful outlets.

Jesus actually counselled more extreme measures than giving up a smartphone, if your eternal destiny is at stake. Consider these striking words:

“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.” Matthew 18:8, 9, KJV.

Now, none of us would dream of actually cutting off a body part. But a smartphone? That is a small thing to give up, by comparison. Maybe you are at that point, maybe not.

If you are not at that point, there are ways to reduce the temptation power of your device that you might want to try. But if after doing these things, you are still failing, do not hesitate to proceed to more drastic measures.

10 Ways to Reduce the Tempting power of your device:

Delete your account on the most offending apps.
Many have tried deleting an offending app from their phone, but its too easy to just download it back. But if you actually delete the account, you have a much better chance of sticking with it.

(See Article: Deleting your accounts: Step-by-Step)

What you will find when deleting accounts is that most platforms try to sell you on another option. "Suspend" your account temporarily--they suggest. And then, in the process of deleting, you will be paraded in front of everything you liked about the app, giving you plenty of time and reason to change your mind! One way to overcome this is to give your device and log-in information to a friend, and say, delete this account for me. They won't change their mind mid-way. Commit, and then hand over the device. Better yet--do it together! I'll delete your account, you delete mine. Its easier together.

Apps are just one place where temptations can lurk. Photos are another. This is another case where you can give your phone to a Christian friend. Rather than flipping through all your "tempting" photos trying to decide what to delete and what to keep, have the friend remove everything that looks unsanctified. They can even save the photos in a folder (on THEIR device) in case they make a mistake and delete something important.

Browsers learn what you are tempted by, and may continue to suggest those things, when you are trying to break away from them. Instead, download a browser like duckduckgo, which keeps no history on you. Don't go back to your old google account, or the temptations will start right back up again.

Don't take a smartphone into the bedroom. There are plenty of old style alarm clocks that can wake you up. And if its an emergency, you could hear your phone ringing in another room. But when you are half-asleep, your resistance is very low. The temptation power of the smartphone, however, is still at 100%! Also, not having it in the bedroom will prevent it from being the first thing you see in the morning. Would not prayer, or Bible reading be a better way to start the day?

(Tips 5-10, or however many there are.)

In conclusion, remember that temptation is not sin. It is not proof that you are unsaved. It is simply proof that you are human. Paul, as an apostle, clearly a saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled man, said this:

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Romans 7:18-20, KJV.

This same Apostle, in counseling other CHRISTIANS, said this:

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, KJV.

Fleeing would not be necessary, if there were no temptation. There clearly continued to be temptation, even for Christians. And James reminds us what is at stake:

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15, KJV.

And finally--don't fight this battle alone. Telling someone, even just a trusted friend, has enormous power to break the hold of temptation on your life:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16, KJV.

Matthew 5:27-30
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27, 28, KJV.

2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22, KJV.

1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12, KJV.

Matt 6:13 lead us not into temptation. (not sin)
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13, KJV.

James 1:14. Our own lusts...
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:13-15, KJV.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16, KJV.