Run away from anything that gives you the evil thoughts - but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right.
○ 2 Tim 2:22
Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you're tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
○ 1 Cor. 10-13
There is a way out
You may feel that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear, but that's a lie from Satan.
God has promised NEVER to allow more on you than he puts within you to handle it. He does not permit ANY temptation that you could not overcome.
However you have to do your part by practicing these...
4 Biblical Keys to Defeat Temptation.
1. Refocus your attention on something else
i. Nowhere in the Bible does it say "resist temptation" it says "resist the devil", which is VERY different
ii. Instead we're told to REFOCUS OUR ATTENTION because resisting a thought doesn’t work.
1. It only intensifies our focus on the wrong thing and strengthens its allure.
a. Every time you try to block a thought out of your mind, you drive it deeper into your memory. By resisting you're actually REINFORCING
2. Don't fight the thought, just change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea
iii. The battle for sin is won OR lost in your mind.
1. Whatever gets your attention will get you.
a. I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman - Job 31:1
b. Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless - Psalm 119:37a
c. We naturally move toward whatever we focus our attention on (power of suggestion).
d. The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold on you.
iv. Temptation begins by capturing your emotions. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior, & you act on what you felt
1. Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it
a. Sometimes this means physically leaving a tempting situation
b. Spiritually, your mind is the most vulnerable organ
i. To reduce temptation, keep your mind occupied with God's Word and other good thoughts (principle of replacement)
ii. You overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)
iii. Fix your thoughts on Jesus - Hebrews 3:1
iv. Fill your mind with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. - Philippians 4:8
v. If you're serious about defeating temptation you MUST MANAGE YOUR MIND AND MONITOR YOUR MEDIA INTAKE
1. Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts - Proverbs 4:23
2. Don't allow trash into your mind indiscriminately. Be selective.
2. Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
i. You are better off to have a friend that to be all alone - If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble - Ecc. 4:9-10
ii. If you're stuck in a cycle of good intention-failure guilt, YOU WILL NOT GET BETTER ON YOUR OWN!
1. Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable
iii. God's plan for your growth and freedom includes other Christians.
1. Authentic, honest fellowship is the antidote to your lonely struggle against those sins that won't budge
a. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed - James 5:16
iv. Satan wants you to think that your sin and temptation are unique so you won't get help
v. The reason we hide our faults is pride. We want others to think we have everything "under control".
1. Truth is whatever you can't talk about is already out of control
2. If you could handle it on your own, you would have already done so. Willpower and personal resolutions are enough.
a. Some problems are too ingrained, habitual, and big to solve on your own.
3. Humble yourself so you can get better.
a. God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble. So humble yourselves before God. - James 4: 6-7a
3. Resist the Devil
i. After humbling yourself and submitting to God, DEFY THE DEVIL
1. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7
ii. HOW DO YOU RESIST THE DEVIL?
1. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God - Eph. 6:17
a. ACCEPT GOD'S SALVATION. WITHOUT CHRIST WE'RE DEFENSELESS AGAINST THE DEVIL
i. If you're a believer Satan can't force you to do anything. He can only suggest
b. USE THE WORD OF GOD AS YOUR WEAPON AGAINST SATAN
i. Jesus modeled this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Every time Satan suggested a temptation, Jesus countered by quoting a Scripture. HE DIDN'T ARGUE WITH SATAN. He simply quoted Scripture from memory.
ii. There is power in God's Word, and Satan fears it. That's why memorizing Scripture is absolutely essential to defeating temptation.
iii. MEMORIZE ON SCRIPTURE A WEEK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
4. Realize your vulnerability
i. God warns us to NEVER GET COCKY AND OVERCONFIDENT; THAT'S THE RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
1. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond care. - Jeremiah 17:9
a. That means we're good at fooling ourselves. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. Never let down your guard and think you're beyond temptation.
2. Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them (Proverbs 14:16)
a. It's easier to stay out of temptation that to get out of it
i. Don't be so naïve and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence - 1 Corinthians 10:12
DAY 27
P2P: There is always a way out
V2R: God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it - 1 Corinthians 10:13b
Q2C: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?
Image from www.deviantart.com "Temptation" by greendc11
0 comments:
Post a Comment