The Purpose Driven Life: Defeating Temptation - May 12, 2015

2 Timothy 2:22     Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 10: 13    No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

One of God’s promises is to not put more on you than you can withstand. He will not allow any temptation that you are equip to overcome.

You must practice the four Biblical principles to defeating temptation:

1)       Refocus – place your attentions elsewhere

Psalm 119:37     Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Romans 12:21     Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

2 Timothy 2:7-9     …Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

2)       Reveal your struggle and ask for support

Ecclesiastes 4:9     Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

James 5:16     Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

It is a humbling experience to admit any weakness but it’s a lack of humility that prevents us from getting better

3)     Resist

James 4:7     Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:17     Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

4)       Realize that you are not Superman and you’re vulnerable

Jeremiah 17:9     The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

1 Corinthians 10: - 13     …Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.