Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

1 Corinthians 10:12

To be able to overcome Satan’s insinuations, you must know the borderline between sin and temptation. Temptation is NOT sin, but temptation when not overcome, yield sin, and then the wages is death at the end.

Many great men fell because of not being watchful. When Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray, He added “Lead us not into temptation”. We should pray daily for strength to escape temptation, and the same time we should flee from all “appearance of evil”.

King David was tempted when he saw Bathsheba bathing, and he couldn’t overcome it. It then yielded lust, and then sin followed. We should avoid the first attempt by Satan to lure our allegiance away from God.

Some people think their actions and thoughts are all their own, forgetting the existence of the devil, who doesn’t get tired of filling their minds with filthy thoughts. The filthy thoughts and suggestions that come to your mind are temptation, and getting the strength to brush them off means you have won victory over the temptaion.

Jesus was victorious in all His dealings on this earth. The devil tempted Him in all aspects of life with intense severity, even on the cross. Jesus became victorious over the power of sin because He combined His strength with divine strength always. We are to also follow our master if we want to be victorious over Satan and sin.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;  that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.   16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;  but he took on him the seed of Abraham.   17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.   18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18  

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;  but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Hebrews 4:15

We can be victorious when we look at Jesus. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;  who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

If you acknowledge the existence of Satan, you are a step away from overcoming temptation; otherwise, you’d think everything you do is from your thinking. You’d think the suggestions you hear in your mind are from you, but in reality they’re from a fallen angel seeking your eternal death with him in the lake of fire. Be watchful and hold unto prayer so that you don’t get into temptation.

However, God would not help you if you intentionally led yourself into temptation. You know going to a nightclub would draw you away from God and awaken your evil passions, so if you went, God would not intervene. Don’t tempt God. Obey Him and don’t be presumptuous.

You knew going into a lion’s cage( at your own will, unlike Daniel ) would kill you, but you chose to go, thinking God would deliver you. This is the sin of presumption. Do not tempt God!

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Here is a special direction to deal tenderly with those overtaken in a fault. This “overtaken” must have its full significance. It is something different from deliberate sin, to be led into sin unawares, not meaning to sin, but sinning through want of watchfulness and prayer, and not discerning the temptation of Satan, and so falling into his snare. There is a difference to be made in the case of one who plans and deliberately enters into temptation, and marks out an evil course, covering his sin skillfully, that he shall not be detected. The treatment cannot be the same in both cases. More effective measures are needed to check the premeditated sin; but the apostle directs the treatment to be given to those who are “overtaken,” or surprised, or overcome, by temptation. “Ye which are spiritual,” you who have evidenced that you have a connection with God, “restore such a one in the spirit of meekness,” — not crush all hope and courage out of the soul, but restore him in meekness, “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Faithful reproofs will be needed, and kindly counsel and supplications to God, to bring him to see his danger and sin. {RH, June 28, 1887 par. 10}

Christ knew of the long years of conflict in the future between human beings and their subtle foe. He is the refuge of all who, beset by temptation, call upon Him. Temptation and trial will come to us all, but we need never be worsted by the enemy. Our Saviour has conquered in our behalf. Satan is not invincible. Day by day he meets those who are on trial, striving by his wiles to gain the mastery over them. His accusing power is great, and it is in this line that he wins more victories than in any other. Christ was tempted, that He might know how to help every soul that should afterward be tempted. Temptation is not sin; the sin lies in yielding. To the soul who trusts in Jesus, temptation means victory and greater strength. {CTr 218.6}

Christ is ready to pardon all who come to Him confessing their sins. To the tried, struggling soul is spoken the word “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.” Thank God, we have a high priest who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, for He was in all points tempted as we are.—Manuscript 113, 1902. {CTr 218.7}

Jesus Gained The Victory For Us

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10. {CTr 219.1}

There was never a time when Christian men and women, in all walks of life, were in so great need of clear spiritual eyesight as now. It is not safe to lose sight of Christ for one moment. His followers must pray and believe and love Him fervently. . . . {CTr 219.2}
Satan demanded of Christ a miracle as a sign of His divinity. But that which is greater than all miracles, a firm reliance upon a “Thus saith the Lord,” was a sign that could not be controverted. So long as Christ held to this position, the tempter could gain no advantage. {CTr 219.3}

It was in the time of greatest weakness that Christ was assailed by the fiercest temptations. Thus Satan thought to prevail. By this policy he had gained the victory over both men and women. When strength had failed and the willpower weakened, and faith ceased to repose in God, then those who had stood long and valiantly for the right were overcome. Moses was wearied with the forty years’ wandering of Israel, when for the moment his faith let go its hold upon Infinite Power. He failed just upon the borders of the Promised Land. So with Elijah, who had stood undaunted before King Ahab; who had faced the whole nation of Israel with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal at their head. After that terrible day upon Carmel when the false prophets had been slain and the people had declared their allegiance to God, Elijah fled for his life before the threats of idolatrous Jezebel. . . . {CTr 219.4}

Whenever one is encompassed with clouds, perplexed by circumstances, or afflicted by poverty or distress, Satan is at hand to tempt and annoy. He attacks our weak points of character. He seeks to shake our confidence in God, who suffers such a condition of things to exist. We are tempted to distrust God, to question His love. . . . {CTr 219.5}

Christ declared to the tempter, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”. . . So we may resist temptation and force Satan to depart from us. Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We cannot save ourselves from the tempter’s power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.—Manuscript 15, 1908. {CTr 219.6}