Brothers and sisters, think on the cross. Think on Christ and His righteousness. Think on heaven. Be amazed at the grace that has been shown you in Jesus. 

There are many things that want to steal our joy and affection in Christ. There are sins and temptations that plague us more often than we’d like to admit. But for the Christian, there is a real sense in which these temptations no longer lord over us. We are no longer bound to obey them anymore. Even on this side of heaven we experience real victory over sin and temptation. Those are glorious seasons when our hearts are lifted to heaven and we do the things that we really want to do. What are those things that make sin seem so silly? What is our frame of mind when temptations lose their shimmer? I want to point out three things that make temptations flee.

Think on the Cross

Temptations lose their appeal when our eyes are focused in the right place. When I turn my eyes to the cross, I see the great sacrifice of God. I see that the sinless Savior died for me. When I consider what He has given to forgive me of all my sin, then temptations lose their shine. The cross has a way of recalibrating my desires. And when my desires are fixed in the right place, the source of my temptation runs away (James 1:14). When my mind is flooded with thoughts of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, then my heart gladly pushes temptation away.

Think on Christ’s Righteousness

When I consider, not only my forgiveness, but the righteousness of Christ accredited to my account, temptations to sin seem so small. Jesus gives me His righteousness in exchange for my sin (2 Cor 5:21). I am wrapped in a robe of righteousness (Isa 61:10), and the righteousness of Jesus Christ is accredited to my account (Rom 4:5). Have you ever considered how God can say to you, “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21)? You? Good and faithful? Impossible! But consider this: Every Christian has received the righteousness of the One to whom God said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). We have received so much grace and mercy, and when I consider His righteousness accredited to my account, I lose my taste for lesser pleasures.

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