Tempting Thoughts To Avoid
Wednesday February 27, 2013
Many people face temptation by hoping that it will just disappear. We think life will be better when we don’t have these feelings anymore. There is no such circumstance in life. We may deal with a craving in one area only to find ourselves drawn down another path. Temptation will forever be part of life. We’ll make better progress towards the life we want when we find ways to face and deal with temptation. The first step to winning this war is to realize that we cannot pass the blame. We’re capable and responsible, with God’s help, to live in healthy ways today.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15 NLT)
Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 NLT)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NKJV)
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! (Matthew 26:41 NLT)
The Bible tells us to resist the devil and to give ourselves to God. One without the other can’t be done but God can give us strength to move out of harm’s way and into safe places and practices. We can also avoid temptation by asking God to reprogram our thinking. When we give our lives to God and accept new life through Jesus Christ, we become a new person. However, some of the old "tapes" that once played within our mind remain. By studying and memorizing God's Word, we can break old sinful thought patterns and actions. We can be set free from dark, debilitating thoughts. As we ask God to remove the old, He immediately brings new thoughts to our mind. Old urges disappear and new urges are formed under God’s protective care.
The key to overcoming temptation is to recognize it when it comes. We need to say no to its pull and then trust God to protect us. Sometimes temptations are taken care of quickly. Other times they seem to linger, buffeting our hearts and minds. This is when it is extremely important to walk closely with Christ, submitting to Him and telling him all that we are feeling, trusting Him for the victory.Audio for Tempting Thoughts To Avoid
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