Temptations Faced on Campus and How to Confront them Biblically

Coming to college is a period of independence, freedom, and new experiences and opportunities for the majority of students. When I first arrived, I had to come to understand that I no longer had a specific authority over the majority of my time, and more importantly, my actions. When seeking to find a place on campus we are all faced with new temptations and choices that will test our reliance on the Lord and put our faith to the test. While there is no way to avoid temptation there are ways to prepare for temptation so that we may not succumb to it when it rises.

Common Temptations

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

UMD is easily recognizable as a secular campus but is by no means unique among public or private colleges in this respect. The unique aspect of temptation on campus is often the lack of supervision by parents, teachers, and friends. Isolation is a common early feeling on campus and is tied to many of the temptations faced there. 

Common temptations from newfound freedom and peer pressure include consuming secular entertainment, partying, drinking, and conforming to social norms and ideas. Other spiritual temptations may include a lack of prioritizing faith or spiritual laziness by skipping church or time with the Lord in favor of studying or spending time with new friends.

Keep Company with Believers

“Do not be deceived, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

The first step to enduring the new pressures on campus is to rely on God (Hebrews 2:18). A second important step is to surround yourself with those who seek to honor God by joining a campus ministry and local church. Being around believers will limit temptations, bring encouragement, and bring positive peer pressure that leads to good works and love (Heb. 10:24-25). However, no level of Christian friends will completely remove sources of temptation.

Be Prepared for Pressure

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (ESV)

As a student at UMD interaction with and friendship with unbelievers is inevitable. Importantly, there is nothing wrong with having friends in classes and dorms and elsewhere who do not know Christ. What better way to share the light of the Gospel? However, in these relationships, there may be active pressure to sin by invitations to parties or to drink and there will be more subtle pressure to sin by the desire to fit in by swearing, making crude jokes, and hiding the faith we hold in Christ. To overcome these, there needs to be a growth in maturity and willingness to say no to or even flee from temptation.

Dating relationships within the modern secular view are easily able to become idols that lead to serious temptation regardless of who is in the relationship. It is important to remember 2 Corinthians 6:14 and avoid getting into a dating relationship with an unbeliever no matter what the intention and circumstance. God gives us this command not to limit our options or withhold joy from us but instead it flows from his longing for our relationships to be more than we could ever imagine them to be.

Build Discipline

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)

College is a time of testing of faith for any student. But it is also an opportunity for rapid growth in maturity. Discernment is crucial in the daily walk of a believer. Some of the core disciplines that I would recommend building in college are prayer, scripture memorization and meditation, and fasting. Prayer is the most important tool we are given as a source of direct communication with God. Scripture memorization allows us to have an answer to temptation “I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 ESV). It is important to meditate on the scripture you memorize and apply it to all aspects of your life. Fasting is an important discipline that has spiritual benefits in the denial of the flesh and is often mentioned as an important tool for believers as seen when Jesus fasted for 40 days during his temptation in the wilderness.

Parting Words

Coming to college will be a time of trial and growth. Learning to grow in reliance on the Lord at all times and in all circumstances will be a crucial step as you move into this new stage of life. Find a ministry, find mentors and friends who love God, and seek the Lord above all things and he will be with you.