THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

https://cityrevivalagchurch.org/ noted that “The fear of God is so important, that the phrase “Fear of the Lord” appears 27 times in the Bible, “Fear of God” appears 8 times, “Fear Him” (concerning God) appears 23 times, “Fear the Lord” appears 33 times, “Fear God” appears 17 times, “Feared God” appears 5 times, “Feared the Lord” appears 10 times.”

Does God want us to obey because we love Him? Yes!!! But there is one massive problem. For many moons, I loved my habit more than I loved Him, (At least part of the time). But we have a huge problem “Remembering that we love Him.” God absolutely knows that most people are like that. That is why the Bible has plan B. Plan B is to fear the Lord.

Background: I followed the Bible's way of raising my kids. When they disobeyed they got swatted. If they pouted about that, they got swatted again (They learned really fast). Instead, parents use time out. Time out is a method you should use if you want your kids mad at you. If you want them testing you “All the time.” They are not afraid of time-out. You will have a constant fight with your child if you use time-out.

My kids were “always” happy. Yes, they had an occasional minute where they had pain, but after that 1 minute, they got a hug and were happy again. Did I mention “always” happy?

Last weekend I was around a “time-out” kid who pouted and cried for 30 minutes when he was only allowed to eat 6 chocolates instead of the 20 he wanted.

God knows we will be unhappy if we do things our way. If we study these 100-plus verses on the fear of the Lord we can be happy. Why? Because if we pound the right verses into us, we “will” pound that sin right out of us.

Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Today, consider memorizing this great verse and then strive to use the fear of the Lord as a great help for quitting.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

When tempted, and when preparing for temptation, we should practice mindfulness. Instead of thinking, “I want this,” we should think about the whole experience. The whole experience includes:

#1 Destruction: Consider Googling/studying, “Verses destruction,” and “Verses destroy.”

#2 Loss of contentment. Consider rating how important your loss of contentment is.

#3 Loss of peace. Consider rating how important your loss of peace is.

#4 A decrease in our ability to have great relationships.

#5 A loss of Joy.

#6 Decreasing faith.

#7 An inability to find full purpose.

#8 An increasing space between us and God

#9 Becoming dead inside. Losing the ability to enjoy other things.

#10 List your top three losses that are part of the experience.

Rate your top three “losses” that are part of falling. Now go to war this week with researching new ways to fight back. Let's say that a “Loss of contentment” is one of your top three. With this information, you could plan to pray:

“Father, take away this spirit of lust, and help me to be content.”

You can pray this prayer 500 times this week if you have identified, “Loss of contentment” as a key loss for you.

Second, consider taking your top 3 losses and changing a few words in that prayer until it fits your exact situation. Then repeat it (With full sincerity) until you know it.

Third, when I fell I hated the darkness and felt so separated from God. Late in my addiction, I would think when tempted: “This will ruin my week. This will cause destruction. This will take away my favorite thing, “Praying at night before I go to sleep. Then... I would fall and later feel really dumb.

Fourth, if you add up all the bad things... They are way worse than the sinful thing was fun (Short-term fun with added destruction).

Fifth, we need to put all of the bad things in the spotlight before temptation. We need to know them inside and out. We need to think about them and pray about them.

Today, consider rating the “losses” that are part of the experience. Then think about them, pray, and use them to plan a more effective way to fight.

For the full article click.

 

[jberg]

I can guarantee you that I believe the Bible.

Gordon 7, you have proven that you believe by your actions. You may have heard this story before, but for those who have not:
The amazing story of Charles Blondin, a famous French tightrope walker, is a wonderful illustration of what it means to truly believe.

Blondin's greatest fame came on September 14, 1860, when he became the first person to cross a tightrope stretched 11,000 feet (over a quarter of a mile) across the mighty Niagara Falls. People from both Canada and America came from miles away to see this great feat.
He walked across, 160 feet above the falls, several times… each time with a different daring feat – once in a sack, on stilts, on a bicycle, in the dark, and blindfolded.
A large crowd gathered and the buzz of excitement ran along both sides of the river bank. The crowd “Oohed and Aahed!” as Blondin carefully walked across – one dangerous step after another – pushing a wheelbarrow holding a sack of potatoes.
Then a one point, he asked for the participation of a volunteer, and the crowd's applause was louder than the roar of the falls! Blondin suddenly stopped and addressed his audience: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?”
The crowd enthusiastically yelled, “Of course we believe! That is easy for you. We just saw you do it blindfolded with potatoes! You are the greatest tightrope walker in the world. We believe!”
“Okay,” said Blondin, “Who wants to get into the wheelbarrow?”

This story illustrates that true belief is expressed not in words, but in deeds. It is easy to say, "I believe," but it's hard to put down porn when it feels like I will die if I don't get a little right now or sometime today! If I stop using porn, and give up lustful thinking, I believe that I will be unhappy, bored, more stressed--I just need some to help me relax. I believe that I will be unsatisfied with whatever my Higher Power has in store for me. It could not possibly be as good as PMO.
Giving up PMO is like stepping into the wheelbarrow. I've seen others on this forum and in 12-step programs get carried across safely to a joyous freedom on the other side, and they are telling me that over there, the promises actually do get fulfilled, unlike PMO which promises relief but only delivers guilt, self-hatred, remorse, emptiness, and pain.
So, right now, I'm in the wheelbarrow getting carried across to the other side, not by my own power, but as a choice I made to get in. I complain why is this taking so long (when the reality is that I spent DECADES in PMO). I complain that I'm flatlining and don't feel anything (but for DECADES I felt guilt, self-hatred, remorse, emptiness, and pain). I don't know what I believe, but I've seen others living a happy and joyous freedom I could otherwise never know, and I'm ready to join them.

 

[Gordon 7]

Great story, never heard it before.

 

[Gordon 7]

New

Please note: This article contains harsh spiritual situations and writing about demons. Please proceed if that is what you want.

We are always fighting 2 battles. One with our flesh, and the other with satan. Pastor Jack Hayford said, “You can't cast out the flesh, and you can't disciple a demon.”

First, how do most demonic battles look? They are often a demon whispering to us, “Look at that, that is spectacular. That is what you want, what you have to have.”

The Bible is clear, some people are demon-possessed. But, in addition to that, many people are oppressed to a lesser or greater degree.

Second, if we treat demonic warfare the same as our warfare with the flesh we will get into trouble. The Bible says:

Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

The key word in this passage is “empty.” The person in this example repented but then did not start to do God's will. Did not start to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Third, whether you have a demon, or are harassed by one, you can get it out. They hate the verses for quitting. I will never forget the day I printed those verses out. I printed them and decided to attack back when tempted. When tempted I was going to get those verses out and start studying.

I was shocked by how my temptations changed. Sure... I wanted to look, but now I was not being driven toward my habit. I was not enslaved like I had been. It was now a fair fight. A fight I wanted to win.

Fourth, when I say we must “Pound things (darkness) out,” I am referring to demonic harassment. They won't leave you alone until you pound them in a way they hate.

Fifth, demons of lust hate verses about lust. Demons of drinking hate verses about drinking. Demons of covetousness, hate verses about covetousness. They are smart, they know you are submitting to God by quoting these (Very hard) verses. They know you are learning about them, learning about the destruction, learning about their darkness. Learning how to break the very chains they put on you.

Finally, most importantly, seek your purpose fervently. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit fervently. That way... When they check on you they say, “Not much room here for me. This house is full. I am not going to check on them as often in the future.”

After that, it is a fair fight.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Satan wins if we sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We know what that leads to.

Every day, consider praying urgently to “Get started.” Get started daily with Bible study, movement, increasing in spiritual things, and fighting bad habits. One of the most important habits you need urgently is to form the habit of “Fighting bad habits daily.” Set a time and a place for this war. It is vital!!!

Second, free time leads to temptation. Fill it up. Here are some ways:

1. Study and pray about purpose.
   
   
2. Meet a strong spiritual friend for lunch.
   
   
3. Read a Christian book.
   
   
4. Pray about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
   
   
5. Attend an exercise class.
   
   
6. Study Bible verses on love, contentment, toughness, joy, peace, or anything else that you need.
   
   
7. Volunteer in your community.
   
   
8. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
   
   
9. Pick up a new hobby through classes or online tutorials.
   
   
10. Go for a run.
    
    
11. Pick a spiritual trait you should be doing, and do it today and this week: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
    
    
12. Clean your home or car.
    
    
13. Meditate or pray over spiritual traits you need to increase so that bad habits decrease.
    
    
14. Learn a new language with books or an app.
    
    
15. Count your blessings
    
    
16. Print and frame digital photos from your phone.
    
    
17. Catch up on errands.
    
    
18. Go for a walk.
    
    
19. Finish a home-improvement project.
    
    
20. Call an elderly relative.
    
    
21. Plant a garden in your yard (or join a community garden).
    
    
22. Write in a journal.
    
    
23. Do a crossword puzzle.
    
    
24. Play a board game.
    
    
25. Take yourself out for ice cream.
    
    
26. Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
    
    
27. Write a poem.
    
    
28. Try mindfulness techniques.
    
    
29. Make a commitment to strengthen relationships

Firstly, attack bad habits with spiritual techniques. But, almost as importantly, fill up your free time with healthy activities. An idle mind is the devil's workshop.

1. For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

We all make bad choices. #1 That old sinful fantasy pops up yet again. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to turn instantly from this thought.”

To fight bad thoughts consider making it a habit to have a daily “Go to” verse about lust.

Isaiah 55:7 ESV Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

To fight bad thoughts have a prayer and a verse ready every day. Use them often.

Second, bad TV choices. I have said a 100 times to pray:

“Father, help me to turn from lust,” constantly while watching TV. But if you are turning constantly and fast-forwarding constantly, you have made a bad choice. Turn it off and find something clean to watch. Remember, garbage in, joy out. Choose joy.

Third, Choosing nothing. Leaving a void. Leaving an empty space for satan to fill. Based on your past experience... Will he fill it? Consider praying:

“Father, show me Your will.”

Try doing something new for God. Help someone. It may or may not be something great but, it is a great choice.

Finally, bad choices about places where you go, or, places where the wrong people are. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to know Your plan as to where I should be, and who I should be with.”

Finding healthy places to go and healthy people to be around is a huge step toward finding long-term joy.

Which bad choices do you constantly make? I plan to make changes with my choices and I plan on increasing in joy as fast as possible.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Be ready with your phone. To “Be ready” consider having a sentence or two saved from a favorite article ready. When temptation hits, click over to your saved info. If you start to habitually do that, you will memorize some key sentences and prayers. It is so hard to form a new habit like praying:

“Father, take away this lust, and help me to be content.”

But if you are tempted constantly, and you click to this prayer constantly... at some point, you will have the habit of praying it.

What prayers, or sentences do you need to keep on the front burner in your phone?

Second, reading articles is great, but putting them into action is better, starting to form a habit with key ideas is even better, and forming a habit like turning from lust is a real home run.

Third, be ready in the location and at the time you are tempted most. Have your phone ready and be ready to fight. If you are 100% ready you will 100% win.

Fourth, here is a video that is well done.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Some people diet long-term and don't eat much real food. They restrict calories, but they are almost malnourished. Then, when they try to eat normally again, bad things happen. Instead, others diet with skinless chicken, vegetables, and some fruit. With this method, they stay nourished and might have less trouble when they eat normally again.

Quitting is the same. We can and should starve ourselves from temptation. But we need to put healthy things into our minds to replace our old thoughts. Quitting is 51% what we do and 49% what we stop doing.

Second, replace habitual thoughts with one of the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This month I am trying to pray:

“Father, fill me with Your love,” 30 to 50 times per day. Hopefully, I will make doing that a habit. Today I am reading “Brave Love” to learn about love. Today consider searching “Verses Love”

Third, we are either fighting to have good thoughts or darkness will keep its foothold in our lives. When we pray about love or another fruit of the Spirit, the power of the Holy Spirit increases, and, the Holy Spirit takes up more room in us leaving less room for bad things.

Fourth, if lust thoughts plague you consider praying with every bad thought:

“Father, take away this spirit of lust and fill me with Your love.”

Fifth, if love is your strength pray urgently about self-control or some other fruit. The key point is to pray urgently about positive change so that the Holy Spirit increases in us and starts “Squeezing the darkness out.”

Today, plan how you will fight so that you will fight in a way that gets you extra help.

 

[Gordon 7]

I was talking to someone yesterday. They want to quit. I told them they needed to give up ______. They said, “I am not giving that up.” Everyone who can't quit either need to give up something they are currently doing or/and start doing something that they currently are not doing. If you choose to ignore one of these things, you are not “desperate” to quit.

Second, many Christians fail to quit because they have wrong motives. The correct reason to quit is so that we can serve Christ. I had a very hard heart. It took me many years of praying:

“Father, help me to care about souls,” to finally start caring. I never knew that my “not caring” was keeping me in sin. I did suspect that my sin was keeping me from caring.

Third, some people fail to quit because they dip a bit in the occult.

Leviticus 19:31 ESV “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”

I avoid witchcraft like the plague. Some churchgoers sit back and dip a bit. Just say no.

Fourth, confess that hidden sin.

James 5:16 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Fifth, obey the command to be baptized in water. It is hard to get free if you won't even obey that command. Even if you were baptized as an infant, consider doing it again as an adult.

Today, consider if one of these 5 hindrances is hindering you. If not, consider praying about what is:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and show me why I can't quit.”

There are reasons why enslaved people stay enslaved. But God will reveal those reasons clearly if you keep on repenting, studying, and praying.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

This article contains harsh Bible verses and strong Christian principles. Please proceed if that is what you want.

Today I am writing about serious prayer. It is so serious that I am recommending praying over two verses for 5 minutes each, first.

Romans 1:24 ESV Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.”
Matthew 5:29 ESV If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.”

If you want to increase the odds of freedom, please pray over each verse for 5 minutes.

Darkness will attack and sometimes start to overwhelm you. To fight back use the verses for quitting for direct temptation, but what if the temptation is overwhelming and constant?

After fully repenting of lust, consider praying:

“Jesus, please cover me with Your blood. Forgive me for ______ and _______. Thank you for Your cross. Thank you for taking a crown of thorns for me. Thank you for taking nails for me. Thank you for taking a spear for me. I commit to submitting to Your Ways (delete this line if it is not true). I pray that You would fill this room with Your presence.”

Second, do you want the Holy Spirit with you at all times? If so consider praying:

“Holy Spirit, I want Your presence all the time. Please help me to know Your ways.”

Third, please skip these prayers on days when you are not sincere and totally ready to change. The blood of Christ and His cross are very serious. Only pray about them when you are fully committed.

Finally, when overwhelmed, decide if you are fully committed. If you are, these prayers will have great power for you.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Why is it a “Secret answer?”

Our lives are like a great treasure hunt. The rules say: Stay on this straight highway and someday you will find joy.

On the highway, we don't see joy, but we see opportunities for fun and pleasure to the right and left. We take a turn off the highway and dig into pleasures that we are not supposed to have. Then, we try to get back on the highway. But... the way back is difficult. Our car is pounded and broken by rocky terrain. Finally, we are back on the straight and narrow, limping along in our broken car.

Our second driver believes. Temptation is to the right and the left, but not only does he not turn... He is “busy” telling others why they should not turn as well. He tells others how great their life could also be if they follow this great book. He reads this book often and believes it more every day.

He keeps searching straight ahead until his eyes are fixed on Jesus. He keeps straining to find the glory of God. He struggles with that, but “that” is what he struggles with... Not some habit that is breaking him.

Why is it a “Secret answer?” It is a secret answer because the answer stays a secret until we are deep in the middle of living it.

The end.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

God insists we turn from sinful lust. He is “Very” firm. Why? Because it is either His way or trouble. No middle ground.

1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

We are created “For the Lord.” Our thoughts are “For the Lord.” Our actions are “For the Lord.” Our purpose is “For the Lord.”

I have been hearing about a book called Atomic Habits. I plan to read it. A great use of this books great tools would be to use his great advice in conjunction with doing what you learn here. Learning how to squeeze out bad habits and start new good habits.

God is very firm. I bet the advice in this book will push relentlessly for change. My Google search indicated that it would.

Second, I believe that God's very firm way is the best way. I study His Word so that I learn exactly what He wants me to do.

Third, once I start doing things His way, I start to fully understand that His way is the best way. Then good things start to happen.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Bad lust is like a massive fire. Imagine, you own 2 acres of property and it's on fire. But in this scenario, only you can decide to put it out. If you do nothing, it will burn until everything is destroyed.

If you keep thinking the same way the fire will keep roaring. Developing the habit of praising the Lord is a top 7 way to put water on the fire. This week consider thinking 5 times per day about developing new habits. This week, consider striving to “Praise the Lord,” 30 to 100 times per day.

If lustful thoughts plague you, pray with every bad thought:

“Father, sorry for that, I praise You, Lord.”

Some feel overwhelmed because 666 bad thoughts plague them daily. You can pray this prayer sincerely every time... if you are committed to praying it sincerely time after time. Consider praying:

“Father, I commit my thoughts to You.”

What if someone, someday prays that prayer 500 times daily? What if they are obsessed with committing their thoughts to the One who created them? What will they have way less time to think about?

Second, if you believe that lusts fire “will” destroy everything like I do, you will start thinking daily about what you are “committed to.”

Third, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl again. Their star Patrick Mahomes said: “I give God the glory. Now we will start working on winning it again next year.” He is committed to God and God is blessing him. He is committed to working at reaching his goal again.

Finally, think often about what you are committed to. Think often about forming the habit of praising the Lord. Every time you “Think right,” you are dumping water on that fire. Continue to build that momentum, and someday the fire will go out.

 

[Gordon 7]

Bad emotions lead to depression. If you start to become angry, discontent, stressed, or any of a dozen negative emotions... Panic. Negative emotions lead to darkness and darkness leads to bad habits. Yesterday I noted that praising the Lord 100 times is a top 7 way to quit. Why? Because that praise is “fighting” negative emotions.

Second, exercise. Aerobic activity fights stress and fights negative emotions. Consider picking an exercise and then try to make it a habit.

Third, give thanks. It is a Bible command after all... “In everything give thanks.” Satan wants you mad at your wife/husband, job, and everything else. Instead, list what you are thankful for.

Fourth, attack your negative emotions with scripture. I just clicked “Verses frustration.” I scrolled down to the Open Bible list. Wow, it is great. Consider making it a habit to do this when your worst negative emotion flares up.

Fifth, realize you can do something. I have prob given 20 things “To do,” in my last dozen or so articles. Consider starting a notebook that has “To do,” written on its cover. Then, the next time your emotions attack, you will have something to do. Having something “To do” is a top 5 trick for fighting temptation.

Sixth, when you are fighting desperately against negative emotions, having something to do won't be as fun as a vacation in paradise. So always remember... You are doing this replacement activity as work. As fighting back. As a powerful technique to get you through to where life gets good again. Plus...when you make it safely, life will start to get better and better.

 

[Gordon 7]

Today I am tempted to chase one of my desires, which would also bring some extra cash in. That is what “I” want. I also have been praying:

“Father, expand my borders and bless me indeed.”

That is what “God” wants.

I deserve to do what I want. Right?

I know from past experience that I will be “happier” if I do what God wants. I know from past experience that I will be more blessed if I do what God wants.

I forget that when I do things my way I reap frustration and emptiness.

Second, every day, decide if you want God's joy and blessing, or your way.

Third, every day, decide if you are willing to work to live life the right way.

Fourth, no matter how many clean days you currently have... Start “Every day” as if you need to fight to stay clean again today. That is a huge key to “Staying clean every day.”

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

I recommended the book Atomic Habits to help with quitting and my friend said, “Just watch the YouTube about the book.” This is an excellent suggestion if you don't want to get the book. But it takes 65 to 100 days to form a new habit. So if today you say, “I will learn to pray “Father help me to turn from lust” over the next 2-3 months. I will form the habit of saying/praying it 10 times “every” day, and I will say it 5-10 times during any TV program that has any risk or if I am anyplace that has risk for me.” I will also read one page from a book about forming habits every day over the next 2-3 months.

I love that plan because reading a page a day reminds you every day about the urgency of learning new “Habits.”

Second, I always say, “Memorize this.” Have a quitting notebook, have an activities notebook. Why? Because it is hard to quit. You have to literally pound out the bad, and be so obsessed with the “New good habit,” that you think about implementing the new good habit all the time.

Third, have you ever been around a weightlifter? They talk constantly about goals, getting bigger, getting stronger, they are totally obsessed. Why? Because their past goals have turned out “golden” for them. They are now bigger, stronger, with way more energy. They also are very excited about the way they look now.

Fourth, tell yourself constantly: “My new habits will keep me from destruction, they will lead me into the light, they are the beginning of joy and purpose.

Finally, pick 1-3 new habits that you want to make permanent habits over the next 2-3 months. Then get a book about habits and read a page a day, or watch 3 minutes “every” day about forming habits on Youtube. That is how anyone can pound out bad habits and start to implement good habits.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

A top ten habit for quitting is to analyze what to work on today. Firstly, if something is way out of whack like anger, work on that. Pound it out with Bible verses on anger (Verses anger).

Second, the Bible says: “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.” I think I will memorize this verse in a couple of versions. Consider using this verse in your fight to start thinking right.

Third, the armor of God is truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (The Bible). Which of these do you need to work on today?

Fourth, I think the wrong way more than I should. Based on this article I have a lot of things I should be thinking about.

Finally, I will be printing out this article. I don't think about these things enough. I don't start my day or reboot my day by focusing on these things enough. I need to make it a habit to analyze what to work on today. That's what I plan to do every day from now on.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Yesterday, after praying, “Father, expand my borders, and bless me indeed,” I had a plan for an article on pain. But life got really frustrating, so after I finished my normal columns, I quit for the day. The Bible says: “James 4:17 ESV So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

This verse partly explains why quitting is 51% of what you do and 49% of what you stop doing. Stopping doing something that gives you pleasure is hard. Praying a prayer like the one above is easier. Then when God gives you something to do, you are accelerating the quitting process by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you.

Second, if you pray constantly about what God wants you “To do,” then you start to think constantly about what God might want you to do.

Third, I failed to do the right thing yesterday, but I did not even consider going back to porn. I was very busy, so despite my sin of omission, I did not consider lust for pleasure. This shows that quitting is 51% of what I do, and 49% of what I stop doing.

Fourth, James says that “Faith without works is dead.” Is it possible that being a Christian might be 51% of what we do and 49% of what we stop doing?

Finally, pray always:

“Father, what do You want me to do?”

Why? Because you are very unlikely to quit if your faith is dead.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Life has been very frustrating for me for the last 3 days. Job, relationships, problems, etc. Last night and this morning I found time to give thanks. It helps. I also am focusing on praising the Lord.

Second, I printed out the Feb 18th Armor of God thread which is already helping. That article quotes “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure,” etc, think about that. Based on that, I am focusing on thinking about something positive and good. This is a big improvement for me. When life gets bad I go to “My” solutions, not “God's” solutions. I am changing that.

Third, studying that verse, I realized today that I had been thinking in a way that was not really “true.” God's ways are true and best for me. Falling to my lower desires doesn't make my life better.

Finally, I am horrified that I have never printed out a page of the best verses on frustration. That is my next plan.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 5:7 ESV Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

If frustration always leads to a fall, satan will often work on keeping you frustrated. Always think about what tricks he is using on you. Then fight back.

For the full article click.