“Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction.” Tim Chaddick quoting seventeenth-century English preacher John Owen
Up to this point, if you would have asked me what our response to temptation should be I would have given you the one word response I was taught: flee!
Consider thinking of our response as you would an evacuation plan. The idea is that there is intention and purpose in our escape, not just urgency. Less panic, more controlled response.
When looking further at Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11), there are several points we should remember:
Temptation can find you wherever you are.
Temptation can tempt you no matter who you are.
Temptation will find you.
Temptation doesn't mean you can't respond with control.
The growth comes from identifying the lie, but then responding to it with truth.