James 1:13 says, “…for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” That’s really clear. Why then do believers get tempted? Verse 14 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

1 John 5:18 says, “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” Keep means to guard. What do we guard? Our heart which is our belief center. 

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Issues are unresolved situations from our past that keep us ensnared, or unconfessed sin that dogs us with shame.

When we walk in the Spirit, He empowers us to resist the devil’s lying temptations. He brings Scripture up from the reservoir of our heart. Like Jesus, we declare the truth of His word in the face of each temptation. James 4:7 says, “…Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”