Based on the writings of Ellen White, overcoming temptation is a cooperative effort between divine power and human will. Here are the key principles she outlines for gaining victory. ### The Source of Strength Victory is only possible through the help and strength that God provides. She emphasizes that we are not left to fight on our own. * **Christ is the Helper:** "Although you may have been overcome, although moral debasement may have marked your course, it need not always be thus. Jesus is your helper. In his strength you can overcome the beguiling power of appetite" (CTBH 147.2). * **Strength Through Faith:** "Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol and to put away every darling sin. Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father's throne, presenting His wounded hands as He pleads for you. Believe that strength comes to you through your precious Saviour" (SL 90). * **God Provides a Way of Escape:** "Temptations to the indulgence of appetite possess a power which can be overcome only by the help that God can impart. But with every temptation we have the promise of God that there shall be a way of escape" (CTBH 22.2). ### Our Responsibility in the Battle While God provides the power, we have a decided part to act. This involves prayer, effort, and a determined will. * **Resist Firmly:** "When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to your soul, ‘How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan’" (SL 90). She also states, "So we may resist temptation, and overcome Satan. The Lord says to us, 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you'" (SJ 48.5). * **Exercise Will-Power:** "Summon will-power to your aid" (CTBH 147.2). * **Pray Fervently:** "When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God, and agonize with him in prayer. He will give us grace and strength to overcome, and break the power of the enemy" (2SG 290.1). * **Center Your Thoughts on God:** "The thoughts must be centered upon God. We must put forth earnest effort to overcome the evil tendencies of the natural heart" (MH 455.2). ### Understanding the Nature of Temptation Ellen White makes a clear distinction between being tempted and sinning. * **Temptation is Not Sin:** "Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin" (5T 177.2). * **Yielding is the Sin:** "It is Satan's act to tempt you, but your own act to yield. It is not in the power of all the host of Satan to force the tempted to transgress. There is no excuse for sin" (4T 623.2). ### Hope for Those Who Have Fallen For those who feel discouraged by repeated failure, she offers words of hope, urging them not to give up. * **Do Not Despair:** "He may have been overcome again and again, but it need not be always thus... The knowledge of his broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens his confidence in his own sincerity... But he need not despair" (MH 174.6). * **Failure Does Not Mean Defeat:** "If we overcome our trials, and obtain victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith... But if we sink down, and give way to the temptations of Satan, we get no reward for the trial, and shall not be so well prepared for the next" (2SG 290.1).