Defeating Temptation R E V. C H A R L E S E D W A R D C L A R K, JR., D M I N S E N I O R P A S T O R

Transcription

1 R E V. C H A R L E S E D W A R D C L A R K, JR., D M I N S E N I O R P A S T O R

2 2 Tim 2:22 TLB Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right.

3 1 Cor 10:13 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.

4 Four keys to defeating temptation 1. Refocus your attention 2. Reveal don t conceal 3. Resist the Devil 4. Realize your vulnerability

5 Refocus your attention Blocking thoughts only reinforce them in our minds. Changing your thoughts to something else refocuses our attention. Change the channel Ps 119:37 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

6 Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What captures your attention arouses your emotions. Your emotions activate your behavior Practice the principle of replacement Rom 12:21 21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

7 Heb 3:1 NIV fix your thoughts on Jesus 2 Tim 2:8 Always think about Jesus Christ. Phil 4:8 keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.

8 Prov 4:23 TEV Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

9 Reveal don t conceal Share your struggle with a godly friend or group. Luke 22:31 MSG "Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat.

10 Eccl 4:9-10 NIV Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

11 James 5:16 NIV 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. Confess it; don t repress it

12 Satan wants you to think your sin and temptation are unique but 1 Cor 10:13 NIV No 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.

13 Shun guilt and shame as if you are somehow the only one to have ever sinned Rom 3:23-24 NIV for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

14 Resist the Devil James 4:6-7 NIV But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

15 To resist Eph 6:12-18

16 Realize your vulnerability Jer 17:9 NIV The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Prov 14:16 TEV Sensible people are careful to stay out of trouble, but stupid people are careless and act too quickly.

17 1 Cor 10:12 MSG 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 selfconfidence; it's useless. Cultivate Godconfidence.

18 Point to ponder: There is always a way out Verse to remember: 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. - 1 Cor 10:13 NIV Question to consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat persistent temptation by praying for me?