This is hymn 34 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Hymn 34: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
1. Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
2. Shun evil companions, bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through.
3. To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Thro’ faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He’ll carry you through.
YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION HYMNN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, our journey of faith is not only a pilgrimage and a service; it is a daily, moment-by-moment battle. The hymn before us today, “Yield Not to Temptation,” serves as a clear, urgent, and encouraging field manual for this spiritual conflict. It does not pretend that temptation is insignificant; it faces it head-on with practical wisdom and unwavering confidence in our victorious Helper, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to fortify our resolve, to renew our spiritual warfare strategy, and to remind ourselves that victory is not only possible but promised to those who look to Jesus. It is a call to holy vigilance and active resistance.
1. It is a Hymn of Clear Warning and Cumulative Victory (Verse 1)
The opening line leaves no room for compromise: “Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin.” This establishes the serious spiritual reality—temptation itself is not sin, but consenting to it is (James 1:14-15). Yet, the tone is not one of despair, but of progressive triumph. “Each victory will help you some other to win.” This acknowledges that the Christian life is a series of battles where every stand we take strengthens our spiritual muscles for the next. Our strategy is threefold: fight “manfully onward” (with courage), “dark passions subdue” (by the Spirit’s power), and above all, “Look ever to Jesus.” He is not a distant observer but the one who “will carry you through.”
2. It is a Hymn of Practical Holiness (Verse 2)
True spirituality is lived out in concrete choices. This verse moves from the internal battle to external conduct. It offers practical counsel for maintaining purity:
- Guard your associations: “Shun evil companions.”
- Guard your speech: “Bad language disdain.”
- Guard your reverence: “God’s name hold in reverence.”
It then calls for positive virtues: thoughtfulness, earnestness, kindness, and truth. Holiness is both a turning from and a turning to. And the sustaining power for all of this remains the same: a steadfast gaze upon Christ.
3. It is a Hymn of Promised Reward and Renewed Strength (Verse 3)
The hymn lifts our eyes from the present struggle to the eternal prize. It reminds us of the magnificent promise to “him that o’ercometh” (Revelation 3:21). The crown is not won by our flawless performance, but “thro’ faith we will conquer.” This is the key! Our faith, however weak, is placed in a completely strong and faithful Savior. We acknowledge we are “often cast down,” but we proclaim that “He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew.” His mercies and His power are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
The Refrain: The Prayer of Dependence
The heart of our defense is in the refrain’s prayer. We do not fight in silence or isolation. We are commanded to “Ask the Savior to help you.” We ask Him for what we lack: comfort in the struggle, strength for the resistance, and His keeping power. The glorious assurance follows: “He is willing to aid you.” Our Helper is not reluctant; He is eager. Our victory is secured by His faithfulness, not our own.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Are you facing a familiar, stubborn temptation today? Does the battle feel wearisome, and have you felt cast down by a recent failure? This hymn is for you.
Do not yield. Do not negotiate with sin. See it for what it is, and then immediately lift your eyes. Look ever to Jesus. Stop trying to carry the battle alone and immediately pray the refrain: “Ask the Savior to help you.” He is willing. Right now.
Remember, your past victories, by His grace, have equipped you for today’s fight. Your practical choices to shun evil and pursue good create a environment where the Spirit can work. And your future is secured—a crown awaits the one who overcomes by faith in the Overcomer.
Stand firm, believer. Fight on. Look up. He will most certainly carry you through.
In the mighty name of our victorious Captain, Jesus, Amen.
Leave a Reply