2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up against it.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up against it.
God has promised never to allow more on us than He puts within us to handle. However, we must do our part too by practicing 4 Biblical keys to defeating temptation:
1. Refocus your attention on something else.
The Bible tells us to 'resist the devil" and not "resist temptation". Everytime we try to block a thought out of our mind, we drive it deeper into our memory. By resisting it, we actually reinforce it.
1. Refocus your attention on something else.
The Bible tells us to 'resist the devil" and not "resist temptation". Everytime we try to block a thought out of our mind, we drive it deeper into our memory. By resisting it, we actually reinforce it.
Psalm 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
Preserve my life according to Your Word.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
Preserve my life according to Your Word.
Since temptation always begin with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn our attention to something else. Don't fight the thought, just change the channel of our mind and get interested in another idea. So when temptation calls you on the phone, don't argue, just hang up! Satan can't get your attention when your mind is preoccupied with something else.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
If we're serious about defeating temptation, we must manage our mind and monitor our media intake.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart.
for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart.
for it is the wellspring of life.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
This takes a lifetime of practice, but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can reprogram the way we think.
2. Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
God's plan for our growth and freedom includes other Christians. Authentic, honest friendship is the antidote to your lonely struggle against those sins that won't bulge.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Do we really want to be healed of that persistent temptation that keeps defeating us over and over? God's solution is plain: Don't repress it; confess it! Don't conceal it; reveal it. Revealing our feeling is the beginning of healing.
The reason we hide our faults is pride. We want others to think we have everything "under control". The truth is, whatever we can't talk about is already out of control in our life: Problems with finances, marriage, kids, thoughts, sexuality, secret habits or anything else.
What are you pretending isn't a problem in your life?
Singlehood.
Singlehood.
What are you afraid to talk about?
Desperation.
Desperation.
It is humbling to admit our weaknesses to others, but lack of humility is the very thing that is keeping us from getting better.
James 4:6-7
But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
3. Resist the devil
We don't passively resign ourselves to his attack. We are to fight back. How can we resist the devil?
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all these, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
We don't passively resign ourselves to his attack. We are to fight back. How can we resist the devil?
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all these, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Remember this: If you are a believe, Satan cannot force you to do anything, He can only suggest. We must use the Word of God as our weapon against Satan. If we don't have any Bible verses memorized, we've got not bullet in the gun! I challenge you to memorize one verse a week for the rest of your life. Imagine how much stronger you'll be!
4. Realize your vulnerability
God warns us never to get cocky and overconfident; that is the recipe for disaster.
God warns us never to get cocky and overconfident; that is the recipe for disaster.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
We are good at fooling ourselves. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation!
1 Corinthians 10:12
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
Point to ponder: There is always a way out.
Verse to remember: 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up against it.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up against it.
Question to consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?
Julynn.
Julynn.
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