~
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
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