Temptation, 11of13

~ 6 Prevention Steps In Dealing With Temptation ~

Introduction  ~  While all temptation is not preventable there are positive steps you can take in advance to reduce the volume and severity of the temptations you will face. 

Recognize (be a realist)  ~  Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden all mankind have a sin-nature and consequently sin!  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  …  If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and His Word is not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10).  It is our sin nature—inherited from Adam—which causes us to sin.  “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).  Since temptation will come to you it is best to be prepared and ready for it.  “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). 

Run (don’t look back)  ~  We should try to avoid temptations.  Jesus illustrated this principle this way, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29-30).  It is also critical to realize victory over temptation is possible: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  When you anticipate (or see) temptation ahead turn around and run from it!

Resist (use your spiritual armor)  ~  You cannot avoid all temptation.  Therefore “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:9-10).  Take up your spiritual armor (listed in Ephesians 6) especially the Word of God.  “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  …  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13, 17).  “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).  “Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8). 

Repent (admit failures to God)  ~  Keep short accounts with God—confess quickly when you sin.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  Short accounts are necessary to stop the snow-balling effect of sin.  “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15).

Redirect (think on positive things)  ~  The most effective way to change negative thinking is to displace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.  “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).  Take your focus off yourself, your desires, your circumstances, and instead focus on God and the many blessings He has given you. 

Race (sieze the moment)  ~  Don’t wallow in the past or worry about the future—live in the moment.  May we follow the example of the Apostle Paul: “I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:13-15). 

Conclusion  ~  Someone has said, “While you can’t keep a bird from landing on your head, you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair.”  This is the differentiation between temptation and sin. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Came To…, 1

~ Jesus Christ Came To Seek Out The Lost ~

Passages  ~    “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’” (Luke 19:8-10).

“So Jesus spoke this parable to them, saying: ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:3-7).

Significance  ~  Natural man does not seek out God.  It is only when the Spirit of God works in his or her heart that salvation comes to an individual.  God has foreknowledge of which individuals will respond to the Spirit working in them. 

Comment  ~  The Bible is clear “whoever believes” may find salvation in Jesus Christ.  A good example of that clarity is the best-known verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Is That In The Bible? 18

~ Ask Jesus Into Your Heart ~

This is a good example of Christianese.  It is a traditional way of explaining salvation, but it can be very confusing, not only to unbelievers but to Christians alike.  The Bible does teach that in order to be saved from the future wrath one must “believe in their heart” (their innermost being) that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that He is the only way a person can receive eternal life. 

Scripture  ~  “But what does it say?  ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”’” (Romans 10:8-11).

Comment  ~  The word “believe” is  more easily understood in our day as the word “trust.”  Do you really trust that Jesus Christ is who He says He is and that He is your only way of salvation? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .