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There is no easy way to overcome temptation. It takes time, effort, and perseverance. However, there are a few things that you can do to help you resist temptation and stay on track.
First, remember that temptation is a sign that you are not fully committed to your goals. If you are struggling with temptation, it means that you are not fully focused on your goal. Resist the temptation to give in to the temptation and focus on your goal. Second, be aware of your surroundings. When you are faced with temptation, be aware of where you are and who is around you. This will help you stay safe and avoid potential temptation.
WHEN JESUS told Peter he would soon deny his Lord, Peter boasted, Others may, but not me! Yet within a few hours he was swearing and disavowing any knowledge of Jesus. It can happen to any of us. The Bible says, 'Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own [particular] desires and enticed' (James 1:14 NKJV). We all have areas of vulnerability which, if not disciplined by character and commitment, have the potential to defeat or even destroy us. What can you do? 1) Recognize it. Before you yield to temptation you usually go through certain stages. By neglecting prayer and Bible reading you become indifferent to God, insensitive to danger, and find yourself drawn like a moth to a flame. Then you begin to rationalize your disobedience and think, 'Nobody knows. What harm will it do?' And the more silence the voice of conscience, the stronger your carnal appetites become. Then you surround yourself with people who do the same things, or are at least willing to look the other way. Jesus said, 'Pray...that you may not enter into temptation' (Mark 14:38 AMP).
Pray for strength before the temptation comes! 2) Reach for help. When Jehoshaphat came up against an enemy too big to handle alone, he prayed, We have no power against this great multitude...nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. Jehoshaphat knew he was no match for the Enemy, and he knew where to turn for help. What's the secret of victory? Lean less on yourself and more on God!
I have given you...[physical and mental strength]. Luke 10:19 AMP
HERE'S A plan for victory: 1) No matter how often you fall, get back up! Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again' (Proverbs 24:16 NIV 1984 Edition). Becoming spiritually mature is a lifelong process. It happens every time you turn to God in weakness and allow Him to do for you what you can't do for yourself. 2) Don't deny it, deal with it. The Lord is near to the broken hearted' (Psalm 34:18 NAS). God always responds with grace to a repentant heart. He'll meet you at your lowest point, walk with you through the valley of regret and repentance, and bring you out stronger. 3) Write down what you’ve learned through temptation. As you reflect on it you'll see what needs to be 'transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Romans 12.2 KJV). And be sure to write down new habits you want to integrate into your life prayer, accountability to a friend, Bible reading and memorization, identifying weak spots, and watching yourself more closely. 4) Use what you've learned. Jesus told Peter: 'Satan hath desired to have you...But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:31-32 KJV). Let today mark a new beginning by using what you've learned not only to avoid falling again, but to help others facing temptation. 5) Believe you can walk in victory. Jesus said, 'I have given you... [physical and mental strength...) over all the power that the enemy [possesses). Get rid of your 'I can't' attitude, and draw today on God's strength.
He ran from the house.' Genesis 39:12 NLT
THE BIBLE says, 'Joseph was a very handsome and well-dunt young man, and Potiphar’s wife...began to look at him lustfully. "Come and sleep with me, she demanded. Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his household...How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God she Kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her and Kept Out of her way as much as possible. One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. She came and grabbed him by his cloak, Come on, sleep with me! " Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house' Note the words. She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day. Joseph' s temptation kept happening was around a certain person: he Potiphar's wife. And it
Kept happening when he was in a certain place: Potiphars house. So he ran. Not because he was weak - but because he was wise! He understood that if you hang around temptation too long you're playing with fire and setting yourself up to get 'burned.' So, what people and what places do you need to avoid? What sources of temptation do you need to remove from your life in order to live victoriously? Remember the old Kenny Rogers song: You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run'? God isn't dishonoured, do likewise.
Its fruit looked delicious... So she...ate it.' Genesis 3:6 NLT
LET'S LOOK at the first time in Scripture anyone was tempted and see what we can learn.
The Bible says, The serpent was the shrewdest of all the lcreatures the Lord God had made..he asked the woman, "Did God really say...? (V. 1 NLT).
First, Satan will blind you to all the good things God has in store for you. Then he'll take mood-altering substances like drugs or alcohol, or somebody else's husband or wife, or Internet porn, and tell you it won't hurt you. Don't bite! He's a liar! Don't believe him! Temptation comes from our desires... These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters' (James1:14-16 NLT). Any weakness that's constantly indulged, excused, denied, or secrets that is hidden has the power to enslave you. Failure to identify and target your weakness strengthens it. Ignoring your areas of vulnerability makes defeat inevitable. Satan has assigned certain people to feed your weaknesses. Be discerning Your weakness will be drawn to any friendship that accepts it, enjoys it and feeds on it. It has an agenda of its own to take over your life and sabotage God's plan for you. It’ll always bond with the wrong people and make you uncomfortable in the presence of the right ones. And it can emerge at any time, including your latter years. So how do you overcome your weakness? Through willpower? No, through God's power! And His WORD. It’s available to you today-so reach for it!
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