Overcoming Temptation: Break Away from Captivity and Embrace God's Freedom

by Bruce H. Wilkinson

No matter what's leading you astray, choose to trust God and pray! You believe there is hope for successfully combating temptation and the choices and habits that leave you feeling ashamed and fearful of the consequences. But you are unsure how to begin fighting back.

Victory is indeed within reach when you rely on God's grace and strength. The principles and prayers in this book, inspired and guided by powerful Scripture verses, will help you effectively war against temptation and walk in the freedom God offers every day and in every situation. You will learn the reasons we so easily succumb to temptation, and how God stands ready to intervene so you can succeed and overcome.

When you find yourself in a bad place—or even when you think you'll be fine—seek the Lord and pray. This book will get you started with biblical tools and reminders that show how God can guide you safely through your daily battles.

This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

Bruce Wilkinson is recognized as one of the world's foremost Christian teachers and speakers. But he is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez, and other bestsellers including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. He is the founder of WorldTeach, a global initiative to train Bible teachers in every nation. Wilkinson also founded Dream for Africa, a humanitarian agency that has taken on AIDS, orphan care and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that taught and reminded us of the temptation. Temptation is different for each person. When we do not have the willpower to avoid the temptation, this book teaches us how to do so.

[Jonathan Beigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a typical five-star book for me. It breaks all of my 5-star rules. It's not a very quotable book and at times it was a little slow, but man, it got to me! This book cements Bruce Wilkinson as my go-to resource on holiness and temptation. The book goes through the anatomy of a temptation, the 7 stages of each temptation, and 7 tools to defeat the temptation. Then the book ends with a list of short prayers to address temptation in almost everything you can think of. The appendix (I normally don't even read the appendices) was what got me the most though that talks about holiness habits. The book helped me to think about temptation in a totally different way and I hope to share this with others.

Favorite quotes:
p. 11 - "A temptation is simply a good desire gone bad!"
p. 52 - "As your desire grows stronger, you become less aware of anything else and become incredibly focused on the one thing you desire at that moment more than anything else."
p. 89 - "Your temptation isn't your friend; it isn't neutral, and it is filled with a desire for your failure and destruction. Stop being a whimpering weakling. You are mighty in the Lord. Fight!"
p. 133 - "Holiness isn't some vague dreamlike existence painted with a soft, glowing aura of heavenly clouds. Holiness is specific and objective and is to be fully mastered all who name the name of the Lord Jesus."
p. 141 - "Don't try to catch up [on your Bible reading] - just skipped what you missed. Never permit yourself to construct a mountain you must conquer to make yourself 'pay' for neglecting the Lord."
p. 146 - "The point isn't how many verses you have memorized, but how many areas of your life have been transformed! Stop collecting verses as 'trophies' when the only trophy that heave celebrates is your life of holiness."

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruce H. Wilkinson writes wisely and accessibly, breaking down scripture on this topic and presenting his case in an inviting way. Wilkinson speaks of freedom from temptation and explains how temptation is different from the concept of sin.

A reading experience I would gladly share with others who have similar theology and questions about life.

[BJ Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good insight and practical tips. A few questionable theological things. It's a solid book. Definitely worth reading.

[Rebecca Shoener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

After reading this book I feel empowered to truly change the habits of sin in my life that I have been struggling with for years.