A word from heaven.

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Defeating Temptation

Building upon what i said about temptation a few entries ago, I recently read this purpose driven devotion by Rick Warren, which i subscribe to, about temptation. I found it really apt and so true. I'll recommend that everyone subscribe to it. Its free. Here goes... (hopefully it doesn't break any copy right laws.)

Rick Warren:

There is always a way out.

You may sometimes feel that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear, but that’s a lie from Satan. God has promised never to allow more on you than he puts within you to handle it. He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome. However, you must do your part too by practicing biblical methods for defeating temptation.

First and foremost, you want to refocus your attention on something besides the temptation. It may surprise you that nowhere in the Bible are we told to “resist temptation.” We’re told to “resist the devil,” and that is very different (James 4:7).

The Bible says we’re to refocus our attention because trying to resist a thought simply doesn’t work. It only intensifies our focus on the wrong thing and strengthens its allure. Let me explain:

Every time you try to block a thought out of your mind, you drive it deeper into your memory. By resisting it, you actually reinforce it.

Whatever you resist, persists.

This is especially true with temptation. You don’t defeat temptation by fighting the feeling of it. The more you fight a feeling, the more it consumes and controls you. You strengthen it every time you think it.

Since temptation always begins with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn your attention to something else. Don’t fight the thought, just change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea. This is the first step in defeating temptation.

The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you. That’s why Job said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman.” (Job 31:1 NLT).

And David prayed, “Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless” (Psalm 119:3a TEV).

(Source: http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/Home/home.htm)

Comments:

It is never wrong to be tempted. It what we do with the temptation that matters. Jesus was tempted by the devil 3 times but he chose not to feed the temptation. Temptations are like parasites. They stick to you, cling on to you, feed on you as long as you allow it to do so.

But if you starve the temptation of thoughts, of emotional strength, of time by keeping yourself occupied with other stuff, of imagination (temptations are good most of the time because we sugar coat them and ignore the consequences) and of importance (we always think we will die without them)

If you find yourself always struggling in a certain area, channel your energy to prayer, to God's community as you try to pull yourself out of it. It is never a good idea to run away from temptation as a end to itself. You'll just run into another temptation. The only safe place of refuge is God's kingdom and his community. Not to say that Christians won't be tempted but to say that we can overcome them.

Regards,

Jie Hui

Labels: Christian Living 2

The kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

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Thursday, August 28, 2008