THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
There is a great book called the Energy Bus which teaches us to be more positive. It says: “Always try to be persistently positive. Today I am going to recommend working on three new habits. Firstly, read great books. They are great for distraction, and they help us learn new habits. Secondly, work on being more positive every day. We are only 10% as likely to fall when we “think” that we are having a good day. Thirdly, joy increases when we do things for other people. In her great book Making Good Habits, Joyce Meyer noted: “If we have as goals, #1, the happiness of others, and #2, the improvement of mankind. Then, we will be five times happier.”

If we are always in deep thought about the new habits we want to form. We will have a lot less time to think the way we used to think.

Lastly, work on a system to remind yourself about what you are going “To Do” to change every day. Then plug into your system daily to make change simple and effective.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Yesterday I had a plan. I focused on my change, thought about it, wrote it down, prepared, got ready, and... failed again. It was not a lust-related issue. But the point is, I wanted that change, I tried, planned, focused, and failed. My old habit in that situation took over.

I was disgusted when my carefully laid plan failed. But, then I realized, it takes on average 66 days to form a new habit.

One of the biggest challenges to quitting is: Most people just don't believe that life will always be better when they quit. They believe they will be better off without the destruction, but they also worry that they may be worse off without that short-term pleasure. I can and will tell you 1000 times – you will be better off. You will be happier. But, you won't believe it until it really sinks in.

You need to have faith that my promises and God's promises (The Bible says “In My presence is fullness of joy)” are true. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

The person that studies and meditates on the verses for quitting starts to increase in their belief. If you memorize and quote these scriptures, your faith skyrockets.

Back to my failed plan. I knew my plan was right, but something kept me in failure. I only 90% believed. At the key moment, I decided to think about whether my new plan was better. Once I allowed myself to consider my options, I was sliding right back into my old habits.

When we embrace the Word of God as if it will give us success. It will.

Never, think about whether your new way of life is better when you are tempted. Run immediately back to these verses. They will increase your faith and make you know what is right and good.

It takes time to build up these new habits for quitting. But, once you really believe that your life will be better off without lust – then, it is just a matter of time.

Lastly, Jesus died on the cross for our sin. When we follow His example of fighting temptation with the Word, we are showing Him that we have a full appreciation for what He has done for us.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
A huge key to change is to know someone who can help you. Maybe you grew up in an environment where everybody gave in to lust to some extent. Maybe that is still the case. But, if it is, it is vital to change that. If you could start being around someone who passionately loves and obeys God, they would undoubtedly influence you. So... find that person and become their friend. People like this are trying to fulfill their purpose. They want to help you.

Maybe that person can help you with lust. But, even if they can't, they can show you how they are living a great life. A life of love, not lust. You can watch how the way they live allows them to be happy. How their great love of Christ gives them everything they need. How their commitment to doing God's will almost always gives them something to do.

These people can sometimes be found at Church, Bible studies, 12-step programs, or even in normal places. Sometimes a Priest or Pastor is willing to be that person. So, find that person, watch them, copy how they live. It might be one of the smartest things you ever did. For the whole article click
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
HOW SATAN ATTACKS
When you enter a realm of temptation like TV, the beach, or many other places, be aware that satan will whisper to you, encouraging disobedience. When this happens, you have two choices. Firstly, be confused and let whatever happens happen. Or secondly, fight back.

Example one: You are at the beach and you notice “somebody.” WWJD – He would quote Psalm 119:37 - "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word."

Interesting... now our mind has some awareness that looking with lust is “worthless.” Now we are being reminded that the Word will preserve our life. On the flip side, if we don't fight back with the Word, our life may not be preserved. Ouch.

Example two: You are in the middle of an exciting TV show, and here it comes, sin, sin, sin. To fight back quote 1 Corinthians 6:18 - " Flee sexual immorality.”

If the scene is not that big of a deal, shield your eyes, forward fast and move on. But, if it is a big deal, and especially if it is a constant theme: quote Colossians 3:5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”

Now, this is just my opinion, but I don't think that looking at a beautiful woman is idolatry. However, looking at her with lust seems like it is. So, if a TV show is throwing constant lust at you, the best way to put it “to death” is to turn it off. Then... satan will tell you there is nothing else good on TV. Don't believe his “lie.” There are plenty of clean shows out there. Plus if you are praising God and worshiping Him during the clean show, you just might have a great life.

Prepare for satan's attacks. Fight back. Win.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. What does this mean?

The Rev. Tim McConnell noted: “I believe Jesus meant that to have this “full” life, this abundant life, is to live so close to him that we become one with him. Paul speaks of this imitation of Christ in the letter to the Philippians.

We need to adopt the attitude Jesus has: Empty ourselves of ourselves, become slaves to Christ and servants of each other, humble and obedient. It means getting to the point where we take our hands completely off our lives. Not even a finger is left on any activity or thought; all is surrendered to the control of Jesus. We begin to imitate Christ in our thoughts, actions, words and opinions of others. We realize that we don’t need more “things” in our lives; instead, we make do with what we have so that we have more to share with others. Prayer and the study of scripture become top priority.

This abundant life that Jesus died to give us causes us to want to share the good news with others. So we want to talk “Jesus” to those who will listen. This change of lifestyle is made possible by the activity of the Holy Spirit, who gives us a new spirit which is in tune with God’s purpose for us.”

Fantastic stuff. Yesterday I wrote about TV watching. How can we imitate Christ in that? If He did watch TV, Jesus would only watch things that would never interfere with His helping of others. He would watch with pure eyes so that the Holy Spirit would be right there filling Him so that He could help those who he needed to help.

When we imitate Christ in our thoughts and actions, we begin to live the abundant life. A life that can change the world, and a life that begins to be filled with joy.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Many people have tried 10 things from this site. But then, they slip on a banana peel, and down they go. Some have tried 20 things... ditto. A few have tried even more, and still, slip-sliding away they go.

But when you are sincere in your efforts, you are learning a lot. You are missing something, but your efforts are not wasted. You need a bunch of new habits if you are going to quit for good. You tried a bunch of things, and when you keep reading over and over again, that these habits are what you need, keep trying them.

Sometimes how you think when you are starting to slip is a huge problem. Life stinks and you are tempted to throw in the towel. You say – “I just don't care anymore.” But that is exactly what satan is telling you to say. So don't say that. Say the truth. “Falling would ruin my week and probably my month. It will take away my light and replace it with the darkness that I hate. It will add destruction.”

Near the end of my addiction, I started speaking the truth exactly like that. So instead of being defiantly decisive, I was saying the truth. And I am not a prophet, but when I did slip up the results were almost always what I said they were going to be.

Speaking the truth is climbing the mountain. Rapid repentance is climbing the mountain. A commitment to changing your thinking through reading the scripture is climbing the mountain.

Lastly, if you keep falling you are missing something. But if you are sincere you can pray with complete faith:

“Father, give me the wisdom I need to fight this addiction.”

“Father, show me how to change.”

Then, climb some more, change some more. Start to think in a new way. You will make it to the top.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. What does this mean?

The Rev. Tim McConnell noted: “I believe Jesus meant that to have this “full” life, this abundant life, is to live so close to him that we become one with him. Paul speaks of this imitation of Christ in the letter to the Philippians.

We need to adopt the attitude Jesus has: Empty ourselves of ourselves, become slaves to Christ and servants of each other, humble and obedient. It means getting to the point where we take our hands completely off our lives. Not even a finger is left on any activity or thought; all is surrendered to the control of Jesus. We begin to imitate Christ in our thoughts, actions, words and opinions of others. We realize that we don’t need more “things” in our lives; instead, we make do with what we have so that we have more to share with others. Prayer and the study of scripture become top priority.

This abundant life that Jesus died to give us causes us to want to share the good news with others. So we want to talk “Jesus” to those who will listen. This change of lifestyle is made possible by the activity of the Holy Spirit, who gives us a new spirit which is in tune with God’s purpose for us.”

Fantastic stuff. Yesterday I wrote about TV watching. How can we imitate Christ in that? If He did watch TV, Jesus would only watch things that would never interfere with His helping of others. He would watch with pure eyes so that the Holy Spirit would be right there filling Him so that He could help those who he needed to help.

When we imitate Christ in our thoughts and actions, we begin to live the abundant life. A life that can change the world, and a life that begins to be filled with joy.

Mr Green noted the following: “The love that Jesus places in our hearts is a love that needs to become bigger and bigger. It needs to be shared. One cannot be self-centered and expect to grow in his relationship with God. The gift of love that we have been given needs to take root in our hearts and grow. This can only happen when our hearts and minds are brought to a love that is bigger than ourselves. This love is present in the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Every day work on some quitting addiction technique. If you are too tired to even think... you need to work on something even more. Exhaustion is a top reason for struggling. If you are too frustrated to keep up the self-discipline – ditto, frustration causes falls.

People who make it 400-500 days have a bunch of go-to methods that they use “No matter what.” They now have the habit of “Working on something every day in every situation.”

Michael Jordan was a talented basketball player. But he was the greatest because every day he would work on something. As a freshman in HS he could run and jump, but couldn't shoot. So every day he worked on shooting. As a rookie in the NBA he could shoot and dunk but he was skinny. As a Bulls fan it was shocking to see how rapidly he got strong so nobody could knock him out of the playoffs anymore.

There was one reason and one reason alone that the Bulls went to 6 championships and won all six. It was because “every day” Jordan worked on something (and inspired others to do the same). I wrote a story called unstoppable in my book How Peter Quit Porn because he is a stunning example of someone willing to put in the work to succeed.


Patriots coach Bill Belichick is famous for his saying “No days off.” In the quitting addiction realm that might mean praising the Lord when you are exhausted. It might mean putting on a great Christian video from someone like Lauren Daigle when you are frustrated to give the Holy Spirit a chance to calm you down. It certainly means praying “Father, help me to turn aggressively from sin,” before you start a movie or a TV show, and praying it again if a scene starts to look risky.

Pray: “Father, help me to be willing to work on something every day.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The Bible says: "Take every thought captive." If it tells you to do that, it means you "can" do it. The first step to success is to remind yourself to do it every day. Then, write out a list with 5 or 10 things that you should be thinking about. Include 1 or 2 of the quitting addictions things you are trying to work on.

Secondly, realize that satan will pop sinful thoughts into your head. But now you are prepared to take them captive. You reject his thoughts (that lead to destruction) and you look at your list and replace that thought with a good one.

If you make this into a permanent habit great things will happen!
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
As Saul (soon to be Paul) went to Damascus, a blinding light came down from heaven upon him.

While in the wilderness a bush turned into a blazing fire in front of Moses.

In 2022 we either seek the Lord aggressively through Bible study and prayer or we don't. People act like stories like these are unique to people in the Bible. But that is just not true. Every person who fervently and permanently seeks the Lord, finds Him. And when they find him, a powerful light will start to shine.

Why did the Spirit's light shine so brightly on these two? Because they were willing to do something for God. Anything really.

Some people struggle with addictions because they are not convinced that God has a powerful, personal interest in them. But... God always has a personal, powerful interest in Christians. But it is a lot more obvious in those that fervently seek Him.

When the Spirit came down upon Saul he was more of a mess than us. Killing Christians right and left. But God saw his heart, and he sees our hearts. He sees what we will become if we will spend time with Him.

Secondly, I always say to “go to war with sin.” Why? Because it is really hard to have a blazing fire experience if you are okay staying in the darkness.

God wants you to know that He is the King of kings and the one true God. He wants you to know that the Bible is true. Seek Him until you know. Then, once you know, you just might have your own blazing light experience.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
  • THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS OBEDIENCE

    Steve Fuller at Livingbyfaith noted the following:

    “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Rom 8:14)

  • Paul says we are transformed into Christ’s image by beholding the glory of the Lord. And it’s the Holy Spirit who enables us to behold the glory of the Lord.

  • So the Spirit helps us obey by enabling us to see Jesus’ glory.

  • But how does that cause us to obey?

    Jesus’ glory IS the all-surpassing worth of the Universe. When Paul felt Christ’s all-surpassing worth, he was so satisfied that he turned from everything else to gain more of Christ.

  • And when we turn from everything else to gain more of Christ, we will obey, because our hearts will want to obey so as to gain even more of Christ (Phil 3:8; John 14:21).

    All this happens as the Spirit helps us feel Jesus’ all-surpassing worth. But how does he do that?

  • Through His Sword

  • Paul explains in Ephesians 6:17

  • Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

  • This sword has lots of uses. But one is to cut away the scales of unbelief that grow over our spiritual eyes. When our vision is clouded by these scales, we see less of Jesus’ worth.

  • But the Spirit uses his sword — the word of God — to cut away those scales. As we pray over God’s Word the Spirit will cut away our unbelief so we once again see and feel Jesus’ all-surpassing worth.

  • And as we saw above, when we see and feel Jesus’ all-surpassing worth, we will obey.”


    Example: You are watching TV, the show has a normal amount of tempting stuff, but you start getting really tempted. Why? Because at that moment you are not seeing and feeling all that you have in Christ.
Back to the article: “So what can I do?

First I would ask for more of the Spirit’s work in my heart. Then I’d pray over specific verses in God’s word, trusting that the Spirit would use his sword to cut away the scales of unbelief.

As I do that, God will answer my prayer (Luke 11:13). The Spirit will cut away the scales of unbelief (Psa 119:18). I will once again see and feel Jesus’ glory (2Cor 3:18). That will grow until I have such joy in Him that my heart is completely satisfied (Psa 73:25-26).”

My insert - Focusing on the Word empowered the Holy Spirits' help.

Back to the article: “The Spirit empowered me to obey.

Putting It All Together

The Spirit empowers obedience by using his word to help us see and feel the glory of Jesus, so we are fully satisfied in him, and long for more of him.


When this happens, we will obey —

  • we will love Christ supremely, because we will feel his all-satisfying worth (Phil 3:8)

  • we will love others, because our hearts will be overflowing with joy in Christ (Heb 10:34)

  • we will forgive those who hurt us, because the gain we have in Christ more than makes up for what they did (Matt 18:32-33)

  • we will battle lust, because nothing is worth losing an all-satisfying Treasure (Matt 5:8)

  • we will be devoted to prayer, because prayer brings more of Christ’s presence (Jam 4:8)

  • we will study God’s Word, because that’s where we most powerfully meet him (Psa 43S:3-4)

  • we will share the gospel, because that’s how we receive even more of him (1Cor 9:23)

  • we will obey all his commands, so we will have more closeness to him (John 14:21)”



    There is a lot of stuff we can study and memorize from this great article. For the full article click.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Boredom is a trigger. We get bored then we flippantly decide what to do to pass our time. We choose an activity and then realize that it is not exactly pure. Stop. If you want to find joy it is wise to learn the habit of stopping and finding a better “pure” activity to do. Gray area activities usually start you down a slippery slope.

Loneliness: Fight the temptation to allow hyper-sexual actresses or game characters or anything else sexual online or on TV to be your friend. Form clean habits with your TV and computer and try to get out more. Jesus is willing to be your everything. Pursue Him and allow Him to solve the loneliness.

Frustration: Preachitteachit noted the following: “When frustration is our trigger to sexual sin, then sin becomes our source of peace. Sin is treated as an “oasis.” When this happens we label sin as our “safe place” as compared to the parts of life that are upsetting. This makes sin our friend and anyone or anything that opposes or interferes with our sin our enemy.”

Pray: “Father, show me how You want me to deal with this frustration.”

The article continues: “Hurt: When hurt is our trigger for sexual sin, then sin becomes our refuge. In our moments of sinful escape, we feel protected from life and a growing allegiance develops towards our sin. In actuality, our sexual sin provides as much protection as a child pulling the covers over his/her head.”

Look at how David prayed in the Psalms when he was hurt. Pray and meditate on his prayers.

Betrayal: The wife is not interested so I have an excuse to sin. They promised me a good future at this job. They lied.

Instead of seeking revenge pray: “Father, help me to be content. You are a great and mighty God.”

The article continues with “Bitterness.” “When bitterness is our trigger for sexual sin, then sin becomes our justice. If sin as revenge is fast and hot, then sin as justice is slow and cold. No longer are we seeking to hurt another by our actions; now we are merely nursing our wound. If we tried to explain our sin in words, we would have to say we believed our sin had some healing power. But because that seems foolish, we are more prone to just excuse our sin by the sin done to us.

List and rank the top five motives/triggers for your sexual sin.

  1. __________________________________________________

  2. __________________________________________________

  3. __________________________________________________

  4. __________________________________________________

  5. __________________________________________________



    When you see these triggers, stop. Panic, and go to war with all your might.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The Trigger of Failure

Brad Hambrick at Livingbyfaith noted the following: “When failure is our trigger for sexual sin, then sin becomes our success. In the fantasy world of sexual sin (porn, romance media, or adultery), you always win. You get the girl. You are the beauty who is rescued. No part of real-life can compete with the early success rate of sin. Sin pays upfront and costs in the back. Real success costs upfront and pays in the back. In healthy marriages, sacrifice is a primary part of the joy. As you give into sexual sin as a form of success, it will drive you to desire the kinds of successes that destroy a family.”

Pray: “Father, following Your ways will make me a success. Help me to despise short-term sinful pleasure and to focus on long-term joy.

He continues with “Negative Self-thoughts.” “When negative self-thoughts are our trigger for sin, then sin becomes our silencer. In sexual fantasy (porn, romance media, or adultery partner), we are always desired and see ourselves through the eyes of the one desiring us. We give ourselves to them not just physically but also imaginatively. Because we know the relationship is short-lived we are willing to do this.

Read Psalm 103: Sin (or even a healthy human relationship) will never do what only God can do. The ultimate “Peace, be still” to our negative self-thoughts is Christ’s death on the cross–affirming we were as bad as we thought, but replacing our deficiency with His righteousness.”

When we go to war with sin we start to understand and like ourselves more. God changes us and He changes our negative self-image.

He continues with Public, Sin as My Carnival:

“When public is our trigger to sexual sin, then sin becomes our carnival. We walk through life like a kid at an amusement park; gawking at every person we see like a new ride or romantic adventure, making a clownish sexual innuendo out of every comment, or treating everything present as if it existed to entertain us and stimulate us sexually. Our private thoughts of fantasy become fueled by a hyper-sexualized interpretation of our surroundings.

The act of looking at porn is itself part of the succor it purports to offer. I can search for women who are available to me. I can choose between them like some sovereign being. It offers a sense of control. –Tim Chester in Closing the Window (p. 50)

Read Romans 1:24-25: Can you hear in the description of sex as my carnival what it means to have “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (v. 25)”? God will give us over to this kind of lustful heart (v. 24). This is why a radical amputation of sin is a necessary and wise response to prevent sexual sin from becoming our carnival (Matt 5:27-30).”

Wow. I need to check if this passage in Romans is in the verses for quitting. It should be. I should try to memorize it.

Brad continues with Weakness (Sin as My Power).

“When weakness is our trigger to sexual sin, then sin becomes our power. The stimulation (both the physical and chemical changes associated with arousal) of sexual sin gives a façade of strength. Having another person delight in you also provides a veneer of significance. As with most of these motives/triggers, sex becomes a means to an end. Sex is no longer an expression of love but an attempt to gain something. That is always a recipe for dysfunctional, unsatisfying sex.

My pastor has preached that the primary issue in adultery is that you want someone else to worship you and serve you, to be at your beck and call. That resonated with me. I could see that theme in my fantasies. –Anonymous testimony in David Powlison’s Pornography: Slaying the Dragon (p. 15)”

Satan gives a rush of power to people who partake of his displays of witchcraft, openly demonic music, and porn, which is demonic by nature. This rush of power should give us a rush of fear. It is evidence that we are stuck in the middle of his web.

  1. When you see these triggers, stop. Panic, and go to war with all your might.
For the full article click here.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
When trials come, stay disciplined... keep your hope! Never say, life will stink until _____ (Fill in the disaster that is facing you) ends. Insist (Like Paul did) on having an urgent dynamic relationship with God "in" the trial. Don't say, I will be happy when it is the weekend, or when I have more money, or when I am retired. Decide to pursue your fullness of joy now. If you don't currently have it pray:

"Father, show me how to start to be filled with joy?"

Ask yourself this question. How can I make better choices this week?

Secondly, pray and ask for help in your trial. You will either get your help, or you will learn something. Paul was okay with either answer. Then, Paul would pray: Your will be done. That is a spectacular habit to get into.

Plainbibleteaching noted the following:

“It is not always easy to praise God in the midst of trials. But we must remember that God made it so that man would have both good and bad days in life. The wise man wrote, “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him” (Ecclesiastes 7:14). Solomon’s point was that we must learn that life is uncertain. Therefore, we must put our hope and trust in the one who is constant – God.

Do not let temporary hardships cloud your perspective. Even in difficult times, God is worthy of praise as we consider His providence and His promises to the faithful. Remember the example of Job. After losing his wealth and his children, he did not blame God or curse Him. Instead, he praised God: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord’” (Job 1:20-21). If we fail to praise God, we will lose sight of the one who is the source of every good blessing (James 1:17). This will only make our trials harder to handle.

Patience
Because of the difficulties that exist in this life, patience is necessary in order to receive the things which God has promised His people. The Hebrew writer told the brethren to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). Without such patience, one will eventually be overcome by the trials of life.

James explained that dealing with trials in life helps us to develop patience (endurance), which leads to perfection: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Remember that every trial in life is only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:17). Do not allow the “worries…of this life” to choke out the Word (Luke 8:14).

Perseverance
Perseverance is about continuing to do good despite the conditions around us. Jesus said that the one with “an honest and good heart” will “bear fruit with perseverance” (Luke 8:15). If we “seek…eternal life,” we must persevere “in doing good” (Romans 2:7).

Conclusion
When trials come in life – and they will – do not let them distract you from what you ought to be focused on. Do not let them turn you from God. Instead, pray to God and praise Him, remember His providence and His promises, and always display patience and perseverance in your life. Life is not always easy, but you can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).”

Pray: “Father, help me to be patient.”

Pray: “Father, fill me with Your strength in this trial and help me to focus on good works.

Paul allowed trials to mold him into the great “Paul.” By following the steps that he followed, we might just become a little more like him.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
This goes with the How Jesus fought temptation thread. The Bible says: “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

I have studied the Bible and these verses a lot and what this passage says is 100% true.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Deuteronomy 28: NIV. “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”

I try hard to focus on obedience. Then... based on this verse I think a blessing is on the way. But sometimes I need to learn from Job. He focused on obedience and sometimes his blessing was delayed. Sometimes he went through a very rough stretch before the blessing happened. But here is the good news – the blessing did happen.

For most of us, we won't have to wait as long a Job did, but we might have to wait. And if we continue to obey and say, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” instead of complaining and giving up, good things will happen sooner or later.

Increase your faith to be like Job by studying the Bible. Buy the Bible on CD and listen to 4 or 5 chapters every day. Start a “Through the Bible in one year program.”

Job “knew” that God was with him. If you focus on prayer, Bible study, and obedience, someday you will “know” that God's blessing is with you. And once that happens, you will have a very short list for beating addiction forever.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The first point of this thread is to make “NO” exceptions to the rule of turning aggressively from sin. The big-time preacher thinks “I will only look this one last time. She is my favorite movie star.” What he does not understand is that satan won. Next, his wife lets him down... well he allowed satan in – he is in – hard to resist him now. Financial trouble at the church, down, down, down. Now his habit has turned the power completely off at the church.

All because “She” was special.

Proverbs 6 says: "Do not lust after her beauty in your heart." This verse is not banning looking at a beautiful woman. It is banning looking with lust.

So, when you are in a situation where a stunning woman is, or when you see one on TV or at the movies. The more you like or are attracted to that person, the more it is wise to pray fervently and constantly.

In our above example, the preacher might have had 60 days free. Satan would have been “out” to some extent. Satan's battle was being lost. But... satan had his “special” girl laying a beautiful trap. Don't step into his trap.

Pray: “Father, help me to make no exceptions. Help me to turn aggressively from sin in every situation.”

David gave in to a beautiful woman and his son was stillborn. Samson was likely tempted and gave in to the most beautiful woman in the land. He got his eyes poked out.

Finally, what if you are praying fervently and constantly and in the end, your favorite movie star stayed modest. Congratulations... you have started a habit that is one of the building blocks for staying free forever.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
We pray: “Father, please fix my finances, fix my relationships, fill in the blank with what you want fixed today. Then sometimes, the day ends and nothing is fixed.

We want a perfect life, but if we had one we could never help anyone else. Joseph was thrown in jail, and later he saved the Israelite's. I bet Joseph asked God what He wanted when he was thrown into jail. I bet he said “Your will be done Lord.” I think he prayed and prayed and was fully in the presence of God because of his response. I think he fully trusted God right at the exact moment when it appeared that God had forsaken him.

Like Joseph, Job refused to give up on God in his highest moments of frustration. His finances were gone, his important relationships were gone. At his very worst he said, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” At the most frustrating part of his life, he refused to give up on God and sin. But Job's story did not end that way. He turned from sin in his frustration, worshiped and praised God, and after a lot of waiting, he was blessed more than ever.

Last night, I thought I went too far yesterday when I said, “No exceptions to the rule to turn aggressively from sin.” But today in my frustrations I realize, that is exactly what Job would do. That is exactly what Joseph did do.

When Joseph made no exceptions, a country was saved. When Job made no exceptions he became the most blessed man in the land.

Today I am frustrated, and today I am going to pray and ask God to fix everything. And if He doesn't fix everything today, I am going to think about Joseph and Job. Think about how they reacted. Think about how their stories ended. Then hopefully I will realize that God has a plan for me. And that if my life is perfect... I probably won't be ready to execute that plan.

But if my reaction to life's frustrations are correct, my story just might end victoriously as well.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
God is far more interested in changing our minds rather than changing our circumstances. We should fix our minds first because our thoughts control our lives.

Rick Warren noted: “Every action begins with a thought. If you don't think it, you don't do it.”

Note: If you are always thinking about changing the world, helping others, and telling others what Jesus has done for you. What habit will you no longer have time for? Proverbs 4 says: Your life is shaped by your thoughts.

My notes from Rick's video continue: “Your thoughts have tremendous power to shape your life. Secondly, the mind is the battlefield for sin. Satan wants to control your mind just like he controlled Adam and Eve's minds. The world wants to control your mind. The Holy Spirit wants to guide our minds. There is a battle for the way you think. Whoever wins gets you. Thirdly, the mind is the key to peace and happiness.

Romans 8:6So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” “Many people think their thoughts are uncontrollable. They are wrong.”

My note: Memorize that verse. If you want the Holy Spirit to lead you, quote the last half of this verse ten times per day.

Finally, if you study the verses for quitting, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to have full control of your thoughts for a period of time (which lasts for a while even after you are done – especially if you stay in prayer afterward). If you develop a systematic way to get those verses in your mind virtually all of the time, you will have enabled the Holy Spirit to power your thoughts and to change them into good thoughts. Just as importantly, you have severed satan's control of your thoughts for a large portion of time. Satan has been cut out by Scripture. The Sword of the all-powerful Bible has cut him out of your thoughts.

Pray: “Father, help me to think about Your will being done.”

It is a daily fight to win the battle of the mind. But if you put the Holy Spirit in charge and if you dig into Scripture... it is a battle you can win.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
2 Timothy 2:22 ESV
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

There is a huge debate in many churches about righteousness. Do we need to focus on improving it to get to heaven? While I will not answer that question, what I will say is... If you want to avoid happiness, debate that question instead of reading the scriptures and doing what they say. If you are confused about that question, study Matthew 7.

In Matthew 7, Jesus says that the people who will enter into heaven are those that “Do the will of my Father.” This chapter is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. We should study it and know it inside and out.

Secondly, as we study 2nd Timothy 2:2 it is clear that God wants us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

Now, I can pick one of these four topics and expand on them. But, only the Holy Spirit can make these or other Scriptures clear to you. To achieve that, meditate on this verse or one like it. Simply ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to pursue today. He may lead you to pursue peace or love, or He may pop an entirely different Scripture into your head that He wants you to focus on.

Key Point: If we aggressively flee youthful passions, we can get some guidance in life.

Pray: “Father, take away my spirit of lust, and help me to pursue righteousness.”

Lastly, when you are willing to wait on the Lord in prayer until He shows you what He wants; good things will start to happen.

Pray: “Father, show me what You want me to work on today. Show me how You want me to change.”

Scripture + prayer + work = change.
 
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