"There is always a way out.
God has promised never to allow more on you than he puts within you to handle it.
The four keys to defeating temptation:
Refocus your attention on something else. Since temptation always begins with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn your attention to something else.. Don't fight the thought, just change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea. The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind.
We naturally move toward whatever we focus our attention on. Temptation begins by capturing your attention.
To reduce temptation, keep your mind occupied with God's word and other good thoughts.
Reveal your struggle to a godly friend. "You are better off to have a friend than 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."
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Problems grow in the dark and become bigger and bigger, but when exposed to the light of truth, they shrink. Satan wants you to think that your sin and temptation are unique so you must keep them a secret. The truth is, we're all in the same boat.
Resist the Devil.
1, Accept God's salvation.
2, Use the word of God as your weapon against Satan. If you don't have any Bible verses memorized, you've got no bullets in your gun.
Realize your vulnerability. We are good at fooling ourselves. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation. Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them. Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it." PDL Chapter #27
We are surrounded by temptation and need to be constantly aware of it. Since all temptation begins with a thought, I need to be vigilant about refocusing my attention as soon as temptation enters.
This comment was posted by Doug Eshelman:
ReplyDeleteeven temptation becomes a stepping-stone - an opportunity to grow in the character of Christ: that is a way to look at those situations with confidence rather than thinking I can run away or avoid temptation; joy is based on our relationship with God: another reminder as to how powerful this connection is for us; temptation always starts in our mind - not in circumstances: new to me and the realization that it is always lurking within me; temptation is a sign that satan hates me - not a sign of weakness: satan is the enemy and I need to be on my guard; closer you grow to God the more satan will try to tempt you: what Chuck has mentioned regarding the Grace Elders; avoid those temptation situations as much as possible: I remember Krueger advising us to avoid those overnight business trips with female business associates -
Good comment Doug, one thought though, I think temptation comes from Satan because he wants you, not that he hates you. As you grow closer to the Lord, you are getting further from Satan and he will do anything to change that.
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