Purpose Driven Life Day 27

Day 27, May 27th, "Defeating Temptation"

    - 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." There is always a way out when we are tempted. God never gives us more than what we can handle. At times, we may think he does but he promises he won't. Each temptation is a struggle, it will make us stronger once we conquer and defeat it. There are four biblical keys to defeating temptation.

BIBLICAL KEYS TO DEFEATING TEMPTATION 
     1. Refocus your attention on something else
         - No where in the bible does it say resist temptations but, it does say resist the devil because temptations come from the devil. When temptations arise in our mind and we try and block the thoughts we only reinforce them in our memory. "The more you fight a feeling, the more it consumes and controls you. You strengthen it every time you think." (Rick Warren). If we continue to say "I will not do (fill in the blank).", we are only keeping it in our mind regardless if we are saying we will not do something. We need to turn our attention to something else, channel our energy else where. Find something to get your mind off your temptations. That may be working out, reading, journalling, working; find what works for you. "The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you." (Rick Warren). The more we think about something the stronger it takes hold of us. Once we place our mind on something else, the temptation loses its power. "Spiritually, your mind is the most vulnerable organ." (Rick Warren). We need to occupy our mind with God's word

and good thoughts, positive energy. I have been know to be a negative Nancy and I am working on becoming more positive and developing my mind to think positive always because, what you think is so important. Also, its more attractive to be a positive versus a negative person. Philippians 4:8 says, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." The more we manage our mind the better off we will be. We need to monitor our intake from the media. Social media is a great thing and also a bad thing. Everyone puts on there very best on social media, we don't see the other side of peoples lives and we think we are less because of it. I encourage anyone to take a fast from social media. Once I finish my 100 happy days challenge, I will be doing a 40 day fast from social media. In this day and age, a lot of us are addicted to social media and our phone. I will blog about that experience once I get to it.
     2. Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group
         - It is important that when we have a stronghold or temptation that we tell at least one person. The first step is admitting it to a friend so they can help you and pray for you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." It's hard to fight battles alone. "Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable." (Rick Warren). This is why it is important to have fellowship with other Christians. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has power and produces wonderful results." Find someone that can pray with you. Prayer is powerful and wherever two are gathered God promises to be there. When you are in a relationship or married pray together every night. "Problems grow in the dark and become bigger and bigger, but when exposed to the light of truth, they shrink." (Rick Warren). Always confess your sins and temptations. Tell your partner your problems and pray about them together, don't keep secrets.
      3. Resist the Devil
          - James 4:7 says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We have to fight back and resist the devil. We are like soldiers on the battlefield. Ephesians
6:17 says, "Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." By getting saved we put on our helmet to protect us. The weapon that we have is the word of God, scripture. Having memorized scripture is like having bullets in our gun. When the devil comes with us with temptations, we use our weapon of scripture and shoot out our memorized scripture at the devil and he flees. I challenge you to memorize as much scripture as you can so you can have enough ammo when the devil comes at you.
      4. Realize your vulnerability
          - We can never let our guard down. The moment we do the devil will be there to take over. We can't put ourselves in tempting situations where we know we will give in to our strongholds. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall." We are all vulnerable, we must always keep our guard up.

Point to Ponder: There is always a way out.
Verse to Remember: "God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13b
Question to Consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?