Ellen White offers clear, practical guidance on overcoming temptation. Here are the key points from her writings, along with direct references for your study: 1. **Rely on Christ’s Strength:** - “Jesus is your helper. In his strength you can overcome the beguiling power of appetite. Summon will-power to your aid.” (Counsels on Diet and Foods [CTBH] 147.2) - “He came to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. Look to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults... Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol and to put away every darling sin.” (Steps to Christ [SL] 90) 2. **No One Is Forced to Sin:** - “No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained... Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 [5T] 177.2) - “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.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4 [4T] 623.2) 3. **Prayer and Faith Are Essential:** - “The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity... One failure to overcome leaves the soul unguarded. One evil habit, if not firmly resisted, will strengthen into chains of steel, binding the whole man.” (Ministry of Healing [MH] 509.4) - “Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear... He will help in every time of temptation.” (5T 177.2) 4. **Resist and Do Not Invite Temptation:** - “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) - “He who understands well his own character... should not expose himself needlessly, and invite temptation by placing himself upon the enemy's ground.” (Gospel Workers 1892 [GW92] 371) 5. **God Provides a Way of Escape:** - “With every temptation we have the promise of God that there shall be a way of escape. Why, then, are so many overcome? It is because they do not put their trust in God.” (CTBH 22.2) - “So we may resist temptation, and overcome Satan. The Lord says to us, ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.’ James 4:7, 8.” (The Story of Jesus [SJ] 48.5) 6. **Perseverance and Growth:** - “If we overcome our trials, and obtain victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith, which is much more precious than gold, and are stronger, and better prepared to meet the next.” (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2 [2SG] 290.1) **Summary:** Ellen White teaches that overcoming temptation is possible through Christ’s strength, prayer, faith, and a determined will. No one is forced to sin, and God always provides a way of escape. Perseverance in resisting temptation leads to spiritual growth and strength. **References:** - Counsels on Diet and Foods (CTBH) - Steps to Christ (SL) - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4 & 5 (4T, 5T) - Ministry of Healing (MH) - Gospel Workers 1892 (GW92) - The Story of Jesus (SJ) - Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2 (2SG) If you’d like more specific examples or further explanation, feel free to ask!