OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Overcoming Temptations Part 1
MESSAGE BY: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
I. FROM AVOIDING TO OVERCOMING: DIVINE CAPACITY IN TRIAL
Yesterday, we comprehensively explored the absolute necessity of avoiding temptation—fleeing every appearance of evil, establishing practical safeguards, and refusing to allow the devil to build a nest of compromise in our minds.
We established that temptation is a universal human experience. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was subjected to every form of trial known to humanity, yet He remained completely without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
[ THE TWIN PILLARS OF MORAL VICTORY ]
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[ PREVENTATIVE STRATEGY ] [ ACTIVE OVERCOMING ]
- Fleeing high-risk environments - Utilizing divine grace under pressure
- Establishing moral boundaries - Listening to the Holy Spirit's warning
- Mortifying internal lusts - Escaping through God's provided path
However, while fleeing is our primary defense when temptation appears, there are moments when you must stand and overcome through divine strength!
How did Jesus overcome every lure thrown at Him by the tempter? He did so by relying on the Word of God, walking in the Spirit, and utilizing divine grace. Today, we delve into how you, as a child of God, can walk in that very same victory!
II. THE ANCHOR OF FAITHFULNESS: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13
The foundational truth you must anchor in your spirit whenever trial strikes is this: God will never, under any circumstances, allow you to be tempted beyond your divine capacity to endure and overcome!
Look at the unshakeable promise recorded in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
[ GOD'S FAITHFUL GUARANTEE ]
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[ THE BOUNDARY OF MEASURE ] [ THE PROVISION OF ESCAPE ]
God caps the limit of temptation. God creates a custom way out
It never exceeds your grace. for every trial you face.
When a temptation crosses your path, you must immediately settle it in your mind: you already possess the internal spiritual strength and grace needed to defeat it!
No believer falls into sin because the temptation was “too powerful” or “uncontrollable.” Believers succumb to temptation because they intentionally ignore the strength God provided, choosing instead to fixate on the shiny, deceitful allure of the devil’s trap.
III. THE MYTH OF “I COULDN’T HELP IT”: EXPOSING HYPOCRISY
A minister of God once came to my office, visibly distressed, and made a startling confession. He said: “Daddy, I don’t know why I keep falling into adultery with some young ladies in my church. I usually don’t even know what I am doing until I am completely finished with the act!”
I looked at him calmly and dismantled that deceptive self-justification immediately.
I told him: “That is not true. While you are in the process of taking off your clothes, you know precisely what you are doing. You know it is wrong. But instead of stopping, you choose to lock out the voice of the Holy Spirit and focus entirely on the temporary physical pleasure the devil is dangling before you! You even go as far as locking the office door to ensure no one interrupts you—proving that you are fully aware of your actions. You fall because you deliberately refuse to listen when the Holy Spirit tells you to STOP!”
[ THE ARCHITECTURE OF COMPROMISE ]
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[ INWARD WARNING ] ===> [ CHOICE POINT ] ===> [ DELIBERATE HARDENING ]
(Holy Spirit whispers) (Focus on pleasure vs. (Locking doors, ignoring
divine grace) godly counsel)
Beloved, let us stop lying to ourselves! Sin is never an accident for a Spirit-filled believer. Before any act of compromise occurs, the Holy Spirit raises red flags, sounds alarms in your conscience, and opens a clear emergency exit.
The tragedy is that many choose to ignore the Holy Spirit, lock the door of opportunity, and walk headlong into destruction. When the Holy Spirit says “STOP,” you must obey instantly!
IV. GRACE: YOUR TEACHER AND EMPOWERMENT FOR TRIUMPH
What is the true biblical purpose of grace? Grace is not a license to sin, nor is it a divine cover-up for reckless living. Grace is God’s supernatural empowerment that enables you to say NO to ungodliness!
Our scripture reading in Titus 2:11–12 makes this abundantly clear:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
[ THE DUAL MINISTRY OF GRACE ]
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[ SAVING GRACE ] [ TEACHING & ENABLING GRACE ]
- Brings salvation to all men - Teaches us to deny ungodliness
- Rescues from past condemnation - Empowers righteous living TODAY
Notice what grace does:
It Teaches Us: Grace instructs our spirit to reject, deny, and repudiate ungodliness and worldly lusts.
2: It Empowers Us: Grace bestows the moral fortitude needed to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this current evil age.
Furthermore, Hebrews 2:17–18 reveals that Jesus is our compassionate High Priest who personally suffered being tempted. Because He faced the full weight of temptation and emerged victorious, He knows exactly how to succour (help, relieve, and rescue) those who are currently being tempted!
You are not fighting from a place of defeat; you are fighting from a position of Christ’s finished victory!
V. KEY POINT
Always use the grace that God has provided for you to overcome temptations.
VI. BIBLE TEXT SUMMARY: TITUS 2:11-12 & HEBREWS 2:17-18
Apostle Paul reveals to Titus that the saving grace of God has been revealed to all humanity. This grace acts as an instructor, teaching believers to deny ungodliness and worldly passions while empowering them to lead self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. In Hebrews, the writer explains that Jesus had to be made like His brothers in every respect so that He could become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, making atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when tempted, He possesses total capacity to assist and deliver those who are undergoing temptation.
VII. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR SUMMARY: ISAIAH 57–59
Isaiah 57: God laments that the righteous perish and no one lays it to heart, explaining that the righteous are often taken away to be spared from impending evil. The chapter fiercely rebukes Israel’s idolatry, spiritual adultery, and reliance on pagan deities. God declares that He dwells in the high and holy place, but also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the heart of the contrite. He promises healing to the mourners but warns solemnly: “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
Isaiah 58: A profound exposition on true and false fasting. God commands the prophet to cry aloud and spare not, exposing the hypocrisy of those who fast while engaging in strife, oppression, and selfish pleasure. The Lord defines the fast He has chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, share bread with the hungry, and clothe the naked. When His people fast with righteous hearts, their light will break forth like the morning, their health will spring forth speedily, and their prayers will receive immediate heaven-sent answers.
Isaiah 59: God declares that His hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear, but the people’s iniquities have separated them from their God. The chapter details a vivid picture of societal decay, truth perishing in the streets, and justice being turned away backward. Seeing that there was no man to intercede, God’s own arm brought salvation, putting on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation. He promises that the Redeemer will come to Zion to turn away ungodliness, establishing an everlasting covenant where His Spirit and His words will never depart from His people’s mouths.
VIII. HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
IX. PROPHETIC DECREE
I decree and declare that on this Friday, July 31, 2026, the Holy Spirit awakens your spiritual ears to hear His voice with razor-sharp clarity in every moment of trial!
Every voice of temptation seeking to lure you into secret compromise, lust, dishonesty, or spiritual slumber is silenced right now by the blood of Jesus!
You will not ignore the warning prompts of the Holy Spirit!
I decree that the grace of God that teaches you to deny ungodliness is multiplied upon your life today!
You receive supernatural strength to walk through every door of escape that God creates for you!
You will not fall, you will not stumble, and you will not bring reproach to the name of Christ!
You walk in total dominion, purity, and absolute victory over every strategy of the adversary, in the mighty and matchless Name of Jesus Christ! Amen! Hallelujah!
