Scetion 27

DEFEATING TEMPTATION

Section 27 page 209-216

Sunday 31 October 2010

2 TIM. 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.


1 Cor 10:13No 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 under it.


THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY

OUT


There is always a way out - God has promised not to allow more than you can handle.

But there is a biblical pattern for defeating temptation.


REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING ELSE

The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation - but you should resist the devil! They are two differing things.James 4:7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the wrong thing and strengthens it.

The Bible does not tell you to

resist temptation


REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING ELSE

The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation - but you should resist the devil! They are two differing things.James 4:7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the wrong thing and strengthens it.


Warren says blocking a thought out of your mind is simply a way of driving it deeper into your memory - so resisting it is simply reinforcing it. In effect you strengthen it every time you think of it.

Temptation usually begins with a thought - so the best way to neutralise it is by turning your mind elsewhere - change channels.

This is the first step in defeating temptation.


The battle against sin is won or lost in your mind

Ps 119:37 - Turn my eyes away from worthless things;Job 31:1 -

Watch people yawn and...?

Watch an advert for food and...?

Suggestion is powerful, you move towards what you fix your attention on - the more you think of it the stronger it becomes.


If you keep speaking to yourself about an area you need victory over in effect you strengthen that area.

Temptation captures your attention - then arouses your emotion - which activates your behaviour - and so you act on what you feel.

Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it - your mind is on something else so it loses power. Warren says if temptation calls you on the phone - hang up.


This might mean physical action - leaving a room.

Spiritually your mind is most open to temptation - so fill it with God’s word

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.2 Tim 2:8, Php 4:8


Serious temptation resisters manage their mind and media intake.

Prov 4:23 TEV

2 Cor 10:5

Practice - and ask the HS to help you - then there is a chance of survival or even overcoming.


REVEAL YOUR STRUGGLE TO A GODLY FRIEND OR SUPPORT GROUP

Ecc 4:9-10Do not tell everyone, just someone.If it is a persistent sin, bad habit etc. You will not master it alone - you need other people to help you. This person can pray, encourage and hold you accountable.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.


Warren suggests that if you want to be free of sin or habits - confess it, reveal it. Hiding intensifies the situation, bringing it into the light makes it shrink.

Satan wants you to think your problems and temptations are unique - but all have sinned and all need setting free.

Pride is what stops us dealing with these things.


Warren suggests that if you want to be free of sin or habits - confess it, reveal it. Hiding intensifies the situation, bringing it into the light makes it shrink.

Satan wants you to think your problems and temptations are unique - but all have sinned and all need setting free.

Pride is what stops us dealing with these things.

What are you pretending isn’t a problem in your life?What are you afraid to talk about?It is humbling to admit our weaknesses to others - but remember, But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.


RESIST THE DEVIL

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.We have to fight back - the NT uses the image of battle, words like conquer, strive, fight, overcome.How do we do this?


Eph. 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Accept God’s salvation - say yes to Christ and you can say no to the devil.

Use the WOG as your weapon against satan - consider how Jesus did this, Luke 4:1ff

The devil is better at arguing than you are - logic and opinion mean nothing to him, on the WOG is effective.


REALISE YOUR VULNERABILITY

Don’t get too clever - remember you are in God’s strength, not your own.Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?In the right situation any of us is capable of sin - keep your guard up at all times


Prov 14:16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!(TM) Don't be so naive 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.


Point to Ponder:

There is always a way out.


Verse to remember:

1 Cor 10:13No 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 under it.


Question to consider:

Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?


Scetion 27

Spiritual

Transcript of Scetion 27