dear fren in Christ!
i really got blessed by goin thru the example of Jim's story n u know its
very much same of my dad life now by God grace he kept up t habit of
alcoholic Praise God!!. m very sinful person who is very weak in
promises.every now n then i confessed my sins but most of the times i
really cant overcome the worldly pleasure. after i committed t sins i wil
always cried out regreting wat i have done. 3 yrs back whenever i come
acros i giv advice n encourage frens but now i only doing it ....i really
need ur prayer...to always remember me in ur prayer.
thanks
Biblical Advice on How to Overcome Temptation
We learn from Scripture that temptation begins in the mind:
You can overcome temptation
The battle is for our mind. The victory is first attained in our mind. If we wait until we face the temptation to try to gain the victory over it, only the very strong-willed person might occasionally see a victory; but even that victory is a failure since it is really a victory in the flesh and not in the spirit. Such victories result in dead works. The only true victories are gained in the spirit, attained first in our minds and then revealed in our lives when the temptation comes.
James recognized the role of the mind plays in temptation when he wrote:
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when the lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:4-15.
That temptation prompts a response in our sinful nature. We have a choice. We can either be drawn away toward it and can see that in our mind, which will result in the sinful act; all we can immediately reject the thoughts that temptation stirred up and turn our mind to God's Word thanking him for victory over that temptation. The battle always begins in our mind and will be either won or lost there.
How does this actually work? Let's use the example of an alcoholic named Jim. Jim has been enlightened by God's Word that drinking is wrong and that the alcoholism is destroying his body. The Spirit has put the desire in Jim to stop drinking. So Jim tries very hard not to drink. However, when problems come his way and stress builds up, the temptation becomes very strong within Jim to go to the bottle. He also sees the ads for alcohol everywhere and thinks about the local bar he often frequented after work. Jim struggles with alcohol time and again and is defeated time and again. This is all very discouraging for him. He pleads with God for victory, but such victory seems out of reach. His promises to do better are constantly broken, and his will to stop drinking seems powerless. The fact is, Jim's will is powerless. Also, Jim's promises can't help but be broken. Why? Jim has not discovered where the battle is actually won, in his mind. Then one day Jim reads the Scripture:
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Romans 8:5 NIV
Jean realizes he has been focusing his mind on the wrong things. He has been focusing on the temptation to drink and wrestling with the sinful desire to use alcohol as an escape to help him handle the stresses of life. Now Jim realizes that he must begin focusing on the Spirit's desire for him. Immediately Jim prays:
"Father, forgive me for my sin of alcoholism. Thank you for forgiving me. Fill me with your Spirit and manifest the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Especially manifest the fruits of self-control over alcohol. Thank you for giving me the victory over alcoholism."
Now Jim does more than just pray. He remembers the Scripture that says he must "focus his mind on the Spirit's desire for him." So Jim avoids all advertisements for alcohol. He fills his mind with God's promises of victory and focuses on them as soon as the thought of alcohol tries to enter his mind. When problems and stresses come Jim's way, he immediately concentrates on God's promises to see him through the problems of life. He also claims God's promise to manifest the fruits of self-control in his life and thanks God for the victory. He does not allow himself to think about anything related to alcohol, for those thoughts are of the "flesh" and not of the "Spirit."
The principle is simple. What we dwell alone is what we will do. The mind focused on the sinful nature or flesh will dwell on whatever is temptation for him. In Jim's case, it is alcohol; for others, it might be lust, or food, or money. However, the mind focused on the Spirit will dwell on biblical truth and the fruits of the Spirit God desires to manifest to us (Gal 5:22-23).
Author: Pastor Dennis Smith
Comments
mej
28 Jan 2010, 02:49
28 Jan 2010, 02:49
GRACE
14 Dec 2009, 05:57
14 Dec 2009, 05:57
t
Elizabeth
01 Dec 2009, 05:45
01 Dec 2009, 05:45
Hi Jordan you need to stop self pitying your self ask god for the strength
and sincerly mean it to stop this temptation! you need to find productive
ways 2 substitute this addiction such as excercising when you are very
stressed out and taking out that Ipod joining a gym, a poetry club,
attending church, reading inspirational books, and possibly going to bible
study classes and releasing your frustration and going on christian
chatlines even blogging whatever it takes the battle is in your mind God is
waiting for u
Amber Kay
03 Jun 2009, 22:27
03 Jun 2009, 22:27
Hi Jordan,
I was touched by your trouble. I have you in my thoughts and in my prayers before I sleep.
I understand how you feel. I too have anxiety issues that cause me to overeat for comfort. I have been climbing a mountain for this past year and a half and I am over half way up. I am overcoming fears that threatened my sanity. I count my success to God only. It took me so very long to trust God to care for me but I am almost there. I want you to talk with God about how you feel. I want you to tell him that you trust him and GIVE YOUR PROBLEMS to him. You might keep trying to get them back as times get tough for you but please, give them to God again and again and soon, you wont be able to get them back. Stay Strong Jordan. Remember that everything is in Gods time. One thing I have learned is that God loves you so very much,..He never turns his back on us, we are the ones who turn away. And the humbling part is,...He is right there with open arms when we come back. He will forgive you Jordan and He will always love you no matter what, just like a father does. In the mean time,...maybe you can seek help within your church or maybe a therapist to help. GOD BLESS YOU. Keep me updated.
I was touched by your trouble. I have you in my thoughts and in my prayers before I sleep.
I understand how you feel. I too have anxiety issues that cause me to overeat for comfort. I have been climbing a mountain for this past year and a half and I am over half way up. I am overcoming fears that threatened my sanity. I count my success to God only. It took me so very long to trust God to care for me but I am almost there. I want you to talk with God about how you feel. I want you to tell him that you trust him and GIVE YOUR PROBLEMS to him. You might keep trying to get them back as times get tough for you but please, give them to God again and again and soon, you wont be able to get them back. Stay Strong Jordan. Remember that everything is in Gods time. One thing I have learned is that God loves you so very much,..He never turns his back on us, we are the ones who turn away. And the humbling part is,...He is right there with open arms when we come back. He will forgive you Jordan and He will always love you no matter what, just like a father does. In the mean time,...maybe you can seek help within your church or maybe a therapist to help. GOD BLESS YOU. Keep me updated.
Amber Kay
03 Jun 2009, 22:26
03 Jun 2009, 22:26
Hi Jordan,
I was touched by your trouble. I have you in my thoughts and in my prayers before I sleep.
I understand how you feel. I too have anxiety issues that cause me to overeat for comfort. I have been climbing a mountain for this past year and a half and I am over half way up. I am overcoming fears that threatened my sanity. I count my success to God only. It took me so very long to trust God to care for me but I am almost there. I want you to talk with God about how you feel. I want you to tell him that you trust him and GIVE YOUR PROBLEMS to him. You might keep trying to get them back as times get tough for you but please, give them to God again and again and soon, you wont be able to get them back. Stay Strong Jordan. Remember that everything is in Gods time. One thing I have learned is that God loves you so very much,..He never turns his back on us, we are the ones who turn away. And the humbling part is,...He is right there with open arms when we come back. He will forgive you Jordan and He will always love you no matter what, just like a father does. In the mean time,...maybe you can seek help within your church or maybe a therapist to help. GOD BLESS YOU. Keep me updated.
I was touched by your trouble. I have you in my thoughts and in my prayers before I sleep.
I understand how you feel. I too have anxiety issues that cause me to overeat for comfort. I have been climbing a mountain for this past year and a half and I am over half way up. I am overcoming fears that threatened my sanity. I count my success to God only. It took me so very long to trust God to care for me but I am almost there. I want you to talk with God about how you feel. I want you to tell him that you trust him and GIVE YOUR PROBLEMS to him. You might keep trying to get them back as times get tough for you but please, give them to God again and again and soon, you wont be able to get them back. Stay Strong Jordan. Remember that everything is in Gods time. One thing I have learned is that God loves you so very much,..He never turns his back on us, we are the ones who turn away. And the humbling part is,...He is right there with open arms when we come back. He will forgive you Jordan and He will always love you no matter what, just like a father does. In the mean time,...maybe you can seek help within your church or maybe a therapist to help. GOD BLESS YOU. Keep me updated.
Jordan
03 Mar 2009, 18:39
03 Mar 2009, 18:39
Hello, I have been struggling so much with eating. It started two months
ago. I am enticed. I feel so condemned by God. I can't pray anymore, I
think God is super mad at me, as in Proverbs 2, when they don't listen to
his rebuke. I've been convicted of it everyday, everytime I eat, it has
taken my mind, and complete control of my thoughts and feelings. I feel so
guitly. I repent, but go right to it, then I dont pray because I lied to
God. I don't know what to do, I am literally dying. I am not producing any
fruit, it has made me so selfish into self pity. I can't stop. I know it
needs to be the spirits strength, and not my own. I havent trusted God, and
I am ignoring it, I am storing up wrath for myself. I need advice, I need
prayer, I need this trial to be overcome, I don't want to die, and have God
give me over to my sinful desires. I am so sorrowful, I can't speak, I hate
myself.
Please help me in anyway, thank you for your wisdom in this topic..
-Jordan
Please help me in anyway, thank you for your wisdom in this topic..
-Jordan
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