If the average person decided to run a marathon next Saturday, he wouldn't be able to do it. He could try. He could push himself to the limit, but the simple physiological fact is that the average person doesn't have the mental and physical strength to run 26.2 miles without stopping. But the average person can train to run a complete marathon by running a certain amount each day. And by gradually increasing that amount over a period of weeks and months, the average person can increase their mental and physical strength so that they can run 26.2 miles without stopping. I know because some years ago I did that. I can assure you I'm an average person. And here's the interesting thing about running a marathon: If you're training for a marathon, you never actually run 26 miles. It would so wreck your body that you wouldn't be ready to run for a month, at least the first or second time. But if you can train yourself to run 20 miles, then you can certainly run 26 miles.

And that's how you overcome temptation—not by trying, but by training, by building spiritual strength that will enable you to do the things that you want to do, that God's put on your heart to do. You can't overcome temptation by gritting your teeth and willing yourself to overcome. You can only do it by becoming the kind of person who normally and routinely does what God wants. 

As you reflect on the devotions from the past week, use these questions as a guide:

1. According to James in 1:13-15, who is the real culprit we are to blame for our sins?
2. Why are we tempted to sin? What is the chain of events that happens when we act on our temptations?
3. Read Ephesians 6:13-18. According to these verses in Ephesians, what tools has God given us to fight the spiritual battle against evil and temptation?
4. What role does prayer play in accessing the armor of God? What role does the power of God play in our fight?
5. Now read Matthew 6:13, perhaps even from a variety of translations. In a part of His model prayer, Jesus told His followers to pray that God would help them resist the temptation to sin. What does this prayer from Jesus tell us about the battle we face?