So often our discussions here are centered on heady theological topics and such things can be quite edifying at times. But I'd like to open a dicussion on the practical issue of resisting temptation. Instead of asking the question of whether it's satan tempting us or demons or our own flesh, I'm more concerned with how each of you battles temptation in any form... be it pride, alcohol abuse, bad temper, apathy, lust, laziness etc. I'm personally very weak in the area of pride and it's a constant battle. Other temptations have been more easy to overcome.
In the book "Purpose Driven Life" there is a chapter of overcoming temptation. The author states that trying to flat-out resist temptation is not always effective so he advices the use of distraction. When you're tempted to sin, immediately re-focus your mind on something else. I imagine that all mature Christians have a "toolbox" full of tricks they use to overcome certain temptations. Since I'm merely on the road to maturity, I have a lot to learn.
Temptation & Spiritual Warfare
Temptation & Spiritual Warfare
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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JC, it's been almost 24 hours and no reply.... I wonder if that means anything? I wish someone had posted early yesterday; I blew it big time in the afternoon.
I guess the distraction idea works pretty well. One area that I fall in (like yesterday) is gossip. It seems like natural conversation until suddenly I get convicted, but by then I've already messed up.
I guess the distraction idea works pretty well. One area that I fall in (like yesterday) is gossip. It seems like natural conversation until suddenly I get convicted, but by then I've already messed up.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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MichelleM,
I was actually wondering if anyone would respond to this thread as I was typing it up. I'm surprised the topic doesn't surface more since overcoming tempation should be one of our main concerns as Christians. Perhaps people feel inadequate to answer. I certainly hope not.
Regarding gossip, that's actually a vice I've overcome. What helped me, when tempted to gossip, was to think back of those times I heard someone gossip about me. It would always fill me with rage, you know... "How dare this person!" Then I'd realize, like King David did, that I was the very one I was accusing. It comes back to "Treating others the way you want to be treated." The golden rule strikes again.
I was actually wondering if anyone would respond to this thread as I was typing it up. I'm surprised the topic doesn't surface more since overcoming tempation should be one of our main concerns as Christians. Perhaps people feel inadequate to answer. I certainly hope not.
Regarding gossip, that's actually a vice I've overcome. What helped me, when tempted to gossip, was to think back of those times I heard someone gossip about me. It would always fill me with rage, you know... "How dare this person!" Then I'd realize, like King David did, that I was the very one I was accusing. It comes back to "Treating others the way you want to be treated." The golden rule strikes again.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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I've found that Scripture is the best "distraction". I've found the following verse quite useful in bringing my thoughts back in line (if, for instance, I'm driving behind a particularly lousy Oregon driver):
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day
BTW, it's Psalm 25. I've also found it useful when thoughts start to turn impure.
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day
BTW, it's Psalm 25. I've also found it useful when thoughts start to turn impure.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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_MoGrace2u
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I think the first step in resisting temptation is to recognize that a temptation exists - as Steve says, we need to recognize the net laid out before us. That takes a familiarity with the word and what it says that sin is. Then we have to be sure that we agree with God about our sin and not take the road of justifying ourselves. It is easy to point the finger at others and just as easy to give ourselves an excuse. I try to watch myself so I can discover when I do this. I have even learned to wake myself up from dreams that take a sinful bent.
The self-justification I think is the hardest part to overcome since the sins we like we tend to not think of "as all that bad". Its kind of like having patience - you must practice it if you are to have it.
Or as the scripture says about how one gains discernment and maturity:
(Heb 5:12-14 KJV) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. {13} For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {14} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
I find that recalling the word of God is the best thing to nip a temptation in the bud.
The self-justification I think is the hardest part to overcome since the sins we like we tend to not think of "as all that bad". Its kind of like having patience - you must practice it if you are to have it.
Or as the scripture says about how one gains discernment and maturity:
(Heb 5:12-14 KJV) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. {13} For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {14} But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
I find that recalling the word of God is the best thing to nip a temptation in the bud.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Robin
CONSTANT VIGILANCE. you really cant let your mind wander for very long or you will be in trouble. for e.g., i listen to a lot of steve g's lectures and other bible teachers on the way to and from work. this keeps my mind occupied on noble things. however, if i switch to a radio station and start listening to the banter, its very easy to start thinking wrongly. of course the same goes for tv, etc.
jesus instructed us to deal ruthlessly with temptation (i.e. cutting off hands and gouging out eyes). for e.g. if i found that i could simply not resist listening to trash talk radio, then i would feel obligated to trash the radio. perhaps many of us are not as ruthless as we need to be when it comes to temptation.
TK
jesus instructed us to deal ruthlessly with temptation (i.e. cutting off hands and gouging out eyes). for e.g. if i found that i could simply not resist listening to trash talk radio, then i would feel obligated to trash the radio. perhaps many of us are not as ruthless as we need to be when it comes to temptation.
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
TK, I think your approach is under-appreciated! I also find that an aggressive, rather than passive, attitude is best in dealing with sin and temptation in my own life. If you let up or slack off even a little bit, the devil will jump at the opportunity.
Has anyone else found that the more you resist a certain temptation, the stronger you feel later on? Yet, each time you yield to a temptation you feel weaker and more desperate? It's a cycle of habit, either re-inforcing weakness or re-inforcing strength. I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than being heavily tempted to sin and not doing it. It just feels great. Of course, then you're tempted to put your guard down. Don't do it!
Has anyone else found that the more you resist a certain temptation, the stronger you feel later on? Yet, each time you yield to a temptation you feel weaker and more desperate? It's a cycle of habit, either re-inforcing weakness or re-inforcing strength. I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than being heavily tempted to sin and not doing it. It just feels great. Of course, then you're tempted to put your guard down. Don't do it!
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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JC wrote:
TK
i agree-- and i think this "feeling" is nothing less than a working of the Holy Spirit. i think God rewards us for resisting temptation. a feeling of victory, i think, is part of the reward. of course we need to temper this with the realization that it is through His strength that we are able to resist.I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than being heavily tempted to sin and not doing it. It just feels great.
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)