Mike brought home not one, but two, rescue dogs. They were four month old border collie/lab mix sisters, Bella and Lila. We had just moved to a new (for us) house on a big lot. The problem was there was no fence and we had to wait six weeks before we could train them on an underground fence. I was not happy! Next Mike hired the dog whisperer, at least that is what we called her. She came to "help us" train them so they "would not act like they were in Disney World" any time we took them anywhere. I did learn this much. When a bit of a treat is placed on the floor near the dog, and the master says, “No!”, the dog knows that he must not touch it. Most of the time, the dog will take his eyes off the food and fix his eyes on his master. I think he knows the temptation is too great if he stares at the treat.
Like the dog, when we are tempted, we must fix our eyes on the Master. When our eyes are fixed on Him, we will have no trouble avoiding the temptation to sin. Even Jesus faced temptations. Matthew 4: 1-11, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'
Jesus answered, 'It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written:' 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." Every time Jesus was tempted, He responded with Scripture.
God does not promise to remove the temptation but He does promises a way out. We just need to pray for God to show us our emergency exit! God promises His believers that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10: 13, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Look at how God gave Daniel an "emergency exit" from the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fire. He will always give us an emergency exit. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist. Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph daily. One day, she just pulled him down on the bed. Joseph ran and got out of there!
Everyone faces the same temptations. None are unique and impossible to overcome. God does not want us to be overcome by sin. He wants us to win our battles against sin. He wants what is best for us. We may be in despair. 2 Corinthians 4: 8, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair..." But for believers, we always have a way out because Jesus told us in John 14: 6, "Jesus answered, “I am the way..."