By Chad Prigmore

​Struggle against temptation is unfortunately a battle that Christians must all engage in as we are in a dark sinful world in which temptation is one of Satan's most relentless attacks. In order to have victory over temptation we must understand that it is not in our power to defeat temptation - but only through the power of God's grace.

We must understand what the Bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." These are the forces that tempt us and seek to entice us away from the truth of Jesus Christ. But we are told in Ephesians 6:10-18 how we are to arm ourselves against these attacks. Paul writes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,..."

We must be in prayer constantly, and prayerful study of God's Word constantly, seeking to grow closer to Christ and to be more and more conformed to His image. As we seek Him this way He will strengthen us and we will overcome temptation and the devil will flee from us in defeat.

By Chad Prigmore

On page 63 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous you will find what is known as the “Third Step Prayer” which in the AA twelve step program signifies an implied point of conversion and surrender to “God as you understand Him.” It reads as follows:

​One would think, that if someone were to say this prayer with sincerity and conviction that it would affect and change them in such a profound way that they would be truly freed from “the bondage of self” and that their difficulties such as drinking or drugs would be taken away. However, after spending over thirteen years in AA and the twelve steps I never witnessed this prayer working for any member of Alcoholics Anonymous or other twelve step program that use it because they all continued to identify themselves as alcoholics and addicts and were resigned to the belief that they would be unable to survive without the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were never relieved of the bondage of self, and their difficulties (alcoholism and drug addiction) at least by all appearances were never taken away.

So why is the third step prayer so ineffective? What is missing that leaves it unable to have any real benefit for those that recite it as they work through step three?

In John 14:6 Jesus tells us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Then He tells us in John 14:13-14, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

So based on the Lord's own words in scripture, the reason that the third step prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous doesn't work is because it is not prayed in Jesus' name and is part of an entire program (the twelve steps) that Jesus is no part of.