Based on the writings of Ellen White, overcoming temptation is a partnership between human effort and divine power. Here are the key principles she outlines: ### 1. Depend on Christ's Strength Your own power is not enough, but through Jesus, you can be victorious. * "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) * "Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle, every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ. 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." (SL 90) ### 2. Use Your Willpower and Resist God provides the power, but you must make the choice to resist. * "Feeling the terrible power of temptation...many a man cries in despair, 'I cannot resist evil.' Tell him that he can, that he must resist...He is weak in moral power, controlled by the habits of a life of sin...But he need not despair." (MH 174.6) * "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) ### 3. The Power of Prayer When you feel tempted, your immediate response should be to pray. * "Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. 'The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.' Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear." (5T 177.2) * "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) ### 4. God Always Provides a Way of Escape You are never left in a situation where sin is the only option. * "But 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. They do not avail themselves of the means provided for their safety." (CTBH 22.2) ### 5. Know Yourself and Avoid Temptation Understanding your weaknesses is key to avoiding situations where you are likely to fall. * "He who understands well his own character, who is acquainted with the sin that most easily besets him and the temptations that will be most likely to overcome him, should not expose himself needlessly, and invite temptation by placing himself upon the enemy's ground." (GW92 371) ### 6. Do Not Be Discouraged by Failure Falling down is not the end. The key is to not give up. * "You must hold fast to those whom you are trying to help, else victory will never be yours. They will be continually tempted to evil. Again and again they will be almost overcome...again and again they may fall; but do not, because of this, cease your efforts." (MH 173.2) In summary, Ellen White's counsel is that victory over temptation is achieved by actively choosing to resist, crying out to God for help, trusting in His promises, avoiding tempting situations, and refusing to give up even after a failure.