Day 16: Temptation

“My hope is in you lord, all the daylong. I won't be shaken by drought or storm. A peace that passes, understanding is my song and I sing, My hope is in You alone.” –Aaron Shust My Hope is in You

This weekend I moved to New York City. While on the plane, this was the song I listened to. I kept asking the Lord to give me peace and place my hope in Him as I adjust to a completely new life style. I am confident that the Lord has opened the right doors and given me this opportunity for a reason. He has some big plans in store & I am choosing to trust Him. I am sure there will be days that I doubt and wonder what I have gotten myself into, but I am going to place my Hope in Him.

Today’s entry is about defeating temptation. Every Christian is faced with temptation, if you are not, then you may need to re-examine your walk with the Lord. Satan has no reason to tempt those who are of no threat to him. In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren shares 4 key steps to defeating temptation.

“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.” 1 Cor. 10: 13

How do you defeat temptation?

1)    Refocus your attention on something else:

The mind is the most vulnerable organ. Instead of focusing on not doing something, focus on doing something. For example: I am NOT going to eat sugar= sugar craving; instead= I am going to eat health foods. You defeat bad thoughts when you think about something better.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil. 4:8

2)   Reveal your struggles to a godly friend/ support group

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Hiding our pain only intensifies it. Satan wants us to think that our temptations/ struggles are unique so we will keep them a secret. But the truth is, we all have issues. We hide our flaws because of our own pride. We want others to think we have it all under control, but whatever we can’t talk about is already out of control in our life.

3)   Resist the Devil

God’s word is our weapon against the Devil. “If you do not have bible verses memorized, then you’ve got no bullets in your gun.”

I am going to memorize one verse each week. This week I have picked Deuteronomy 31:6. As I begin a new chapter of my life, this verse is a perfect reminder that God is with me everywhere, no matter what city I am in!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

4)   Realize your vulnerability

It is easier to STAY OUT of temptation that it is to GET OUT. This is something I have really been praying about over the past few weeks. As I step out of my comfort zone and embrace a new beginning, I have a “fresh start.” I want to be different than everyone else, I want to live my life for Christ. It would be so easy to move to New York and get caught up in the ways of the world, but I am asking God to keep me from going down that path. In order to be successful, I need to STAY OUT of temptation. If I want to make an impact on others, I need to live the way Christ has called me to.

Today’s Challenge:

1)   Ask yourself- what am I pretending isn’t a problem in my life?

2)   Memorize a verse each week- your weapon to resist temptation

3)   Stay OUT of temptation.