THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

Have a #1 verse about lust that you think about “All the time.” If you need a harsh verse to quit, find a harsh verse. If you need a verse about being filled with the Spirit to quit, find a lust verse that talks about that. If you need a “Put this to death verse to quit, find a put this to death verse. If you need a flee immediately verse to quit, find a flee immediately verse. If you need a get closer to Christ verse to quit, find a get closer to Christ verse. If you need a do not covet verse to quit, find a do not covet verse. If you need a do not love the world verse to quit, find a do not love the world verse.

Here is how this works. Let's say you pick:

Matthew 5:29 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.”

This verse leaves nothing to the imagination. God insists that we stop!

Finally, the main point is to pick a verse about lust that speaks to you, then start pounding it into you to start pounding the darkness out.

To quit fast, use the #1 tip often and always. It was recommended by Jesus Himself.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

The Bible says to think about things that are of good report. Every minute of every day we get to choose... Think about bad things, job problems, school problems, money problems, or, we can go out of our way to find something good to think about. This is a great exercise for quitting addictions, because this is very similar to a key habit for quitting, “Learning to think about new things instead of old habits.” Consider praying:

“Father, help me to think about positive things only.”

Let's say you have a problem you need to solve. Decide how many minutes you will spend trying to solve the problem, then when the time is up, think about good things instead.

Second, we should develop habits of thinking about positive behaviors. Things like, “I will watch clean TV, I will eat/drink moderately, I will read the Bible today, I will pray today, I will stay busy today. Consider writing down a few positive behaviors you should be thinking about.

Third, focus on a good attitude. Bad attitudes lead back toward bad habits. Good attitudes give us a chance.

Finally, all of these things are gold for stopping bad habits. Consider making it a goal to form habits of thinking about things that are of good report.
For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

I don't write about fasting enough. Jesus said, “When you fast,” not if you fast. Fasting from food, and praying instead is great for quitting habits. Also, things like fasting from risky TV and watching cleaner TV. Fasting from normal shows and watching sports. Fasting from “Staring.” Fasting from borderline risky thoughts. Fasting from that online stuff that always gets you tempted. Fasting from that place you go that often gets you tempted. Fasting from continuing that conversation that is headed toward the sexual gutter.

Second, fasting helps with self-control.

Third, fasting is training in willpower.

Fourth, please read the complete article I found on fasting. Fantastic info.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

When frustrated, plan your next move. If nothing is going on except your frustration, plan how you will get busy (Get active). If too much is going on, plan how you will change your mindset with something relaxing that might take your mind off of _______.

Second, call someone. They can probably take your mind in a new direction.

Third, get busy with a hobby, sport, or musical instrument.

Fourth, never let tomorrow's potential problems, or yesterday's problem ruin “Right now.” Currently, I am in a tough situation if tomorrow does not go well, so I “should” focus on making today a good day, and if tomorrow stinks, handle that when the potential problem is a “Today problem.”

Fifth, ask yourself, “How important is this thing that is frustrating me.” Then think about 2 other things that are “Really important.” Then think some more about the really important things.

Finally, think about something new that is vitally important. Pick a habit from the Jan. 10, or July 22nd, article from this “Frustration thread,” that you want to work on today, and this week. Your new habit just might help make your life better for a long time, and it might help you deal with temptation better as well.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Note: This article contains harsh Bible verses and concepts. Please only continue if that is what you want.

In Corinthians, Paul says, “Our weapons are mighty for pulling down strongholds.” He says we can “Cast down imaginations and strongholds.”

Very few people reading this have enough motivation to overcome a stronghold. But, the great news is, it is very easy to acquire this motivation. The problem is, it is very hard “To do” what we need to do to acquire this motivation. Here is a story:

Jonny quit drinking, but then he read 1st Corinthians 6. He is now free of what Paul said about drunkeness - “Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” But, he is very upset upon reading, “The covetous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” You see, his life revolves around money, accumulating, increasing, and financial growth. His family and friends take great pride in financial success.

Jonny's problem is, he prayed a bunch to quit drinking, he studied the scriptures a bunch to quit drinking, now he is 100% aware that God's way is best regarding quitting drinking. His life is now way better.

But how can God's way be better regarding this, “Quit chasing money in excess.” That is completely unAmerican.

Is it possible God is right about this? Should Jonny put this verse, “The covetous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven,” in his phone and read it every hour this month?

End of story.

Every person reading this has a verse from 1st Corinthians 6 that upsets them to the core. If we want to pull down the stronghold the fastest we need to use the most mighty weapon.

The verses in this chapter are very scary, but if you quote the verse that applies most to your situation every hour, you will be using a most mighty weapon.

Here are the scary verses from 1st Corinthians 6:

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Our past sins are washed away. So do these verses apply to what we do from now on? No one knows exactly for sure. Far too many people give their opinion. All anyone knows for sure is that God does judge us someday and he will judge us fairly. Because of that, we must “Know” these verses inside and out.

Finally, these verses lead to joy. I have spent countless hours trying to prove that sin leads to joy. Um, wrong, sin leads to cheap thrills, and a lot of depression and hopelessness.

Today, this week, and this month, consider quoting the verse that applies most to your situation every hour. You will be using a most mighty weapon.

 

[Gordon 7]

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
This verse is from the Old Testament, the New Testament adds that we need to also do God's will. But, I added it because I always forget, “God will bring every deed into judgment,” ouch.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
If we are sinning, we can't do good works. If we are not doing good works or preparing to do good works... What are we going to do? Probably sin!

Job 22:21 ESV “Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.”
Determine to agree with God that the verses for quitting are true and are what is best for you. After we pound out sin with those verses, we find peace, we find the power of God, and we start down the road toward purpose.

The Bible commands us to “Wait, and pray until we are filled-with-the-spirit.
Acts 1:4 “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

I say, pray more, dig into scripture more so you can find your purpose. The Bible says to wait, pray, get filled with the Spirit, and get going. Once again, the Bible is right.

 

[Gordon 7]

Consider praying:

“Father, show me what You want me to do.”

The problem is... We don't spend enough time in prayer to know what “To do.”

Consider praying:

“Father, give me wisdom regarding finding my purpose.”

I have prayed that prayer a lot this week, and it is helping.

Here is an example of what life is not like: God says clearly, “Do this, and this, and you will be blessed and more blessed.

Instead, most of us struggle to have a good idea of what God wants us “To do.” So we pray more, we try a variety of good works.

Second, if we are not moving toward purpose, quitting will be very hard. Nothing in life satisfies like purpose. Consider trying a two way prayer:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and increase my wisdom for Your will.”

Finally, consider praying:

“Father, show me what You want. I will try to do what You want me to do.”

It is hard to know what God wants you to do. #1 Do what you know He wants you to do. #2 Become obsessed with trying to find out fully what He wants you to do. With your new obsession, your old obsession will start to fade.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Today I am listing what articles from the linked thread say “To do” to avoid depression.

#1 Give thanks for what you have

#2 Start to know and do God's will.

#3 To have good days memorize 1 Peter 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and do good

#4 Consider starting to exercise while looking at a printout of Bible verses that address your greatest emotional need (12-20-2022 article).

#5 Learn the habit of rapid forgiveness of others.

#6 Get busy helping others.

#7 Pray about what Bible topic you need to pound into you in order to pound out the depression. Example: You pray and feel like God is showing you that “frustration” starts your cycle toward depression. Do a Google search, “Verses frustration,” and study them often. Search “Verses _______ ,” to find verses that will address your pressing issue/emotion.

Finally, if you like all of these ideas consider printing them out. That way you can start working on 1 or 2 of them urgently, and then come back to the others later.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

John 8:34 ESV Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
We look at the pleasure that the Bible says is sin as something we want to do. The Bible says that this makes us a slave. Consider praying:

“Father, show me what I am a slave to?”

I always write these articles first, read the scripture first, and pray first. Why? Because, at least I will do the important things first before I go back to foolishness.

Second, other sin often leads to the main sin, because it puts us back in slavery which leads to depression.

Third, what commitment will you make in your war against sin?

Fourth, how will you show that you are with Christ, and not a slave to sin?

Fifth, how many times will you commit to praying:

“Father, help me to not be a slave to sin.”

Finally, when you go to war with sin and commit yourselves to doing things God's way, people will know you have found “it.” Make finding “it” your #1 goal.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD.
8 Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
9 Because I have sinned against him,
I will bear the LORD’s wrath,
until he pleads my case
and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.”

Always watch in hope for the Lord. Always repent rapidly before the Lord. Always be aware of the Lord's wrath. Always fight to stay in the Light.

Living in the Light is: The Lord before me, the Lord beside me, The Lord above me, and the Lord around me. The Lord in what I say and think, and the Lord in what I do.

The light brings us hope, the light leads us toward joy. Consider making it a goal to stay in the Light.

Consider adding “In the light” to your playlist.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

The Bible often talks about righteousness. Sounds hard. But it simply means living right. To change we need to live “right.”

Matthew 5:20 ESV For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The scribes and Pharisees had righteousness in an outward way but their hearts were evil. This verse says that a higher standard is needed. They followed “Their doctrine” instead of fearing God and striving to have a pure mind and heart. Consider praying:


“Father, I repent of how I live. Please show me how to increase in purity.”

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.”

Consider praying often: “Father, help me to flee youthful passions.”


Second, if we don't pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace often enough we will get ourselves in trouble. Consider praying:


“Father, help me to have a goal of righteousness.”

Matthew 5:6 ESV “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Sounds like we don't need _______ anymore if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.


Today consider making two goals. #1 How many times will you commit to reading Matthew 5:6 until it is about memorized? #2 How many times per day will you commit to praying about pursuing righteousness?


Finally, pursue righteousness, and be filled. A filled person needs no habits.

 

[Gordon 7]

Today, if God said, “Line up for the great battle. We need every person. If you don't fight and do my will, bad things will happen to a lot of people.” In that scenario, most of us would march to the front, and fight for the win.

But that is not what happens. In real life what happens is satan says: You are low on cash, you have the right to _______. But if we are digging into scripture we see that God says: If you start doing things my way, “I will provide.”

#2 satan says: People have abused you and run you over. You have the right to ______. But if we are spending time in prayer we can tell satan: God commanded me to love others, and I am going to focus on loving others and obedience (to avoid destruction).

#3 Satan says: Your job (or going to school) stinks. Life is pure torture. You have the right to ________. In this situation tell satan: Life is awesome when I am living (and learning) “To do” what God wants me to do.

#4 Satan says that: Risky TV shows/movies are better than clean ones. You have the right to watch them. Instead, tell satan: If I watch TV, and do life “In God's presence, I will start down the path toward fullness of joy.

#5 Satan says: Those friends who put your mind into the gutter are way more fun. You have the right to have wild friends. Instead, tell satan. I have this great friend in Jesus. I will live right and I will have a great life.

Finally, here is a great song about the Word. The more you get the Word in you, the better life gets.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Today, I added a bunch of articles in the 3-19-2024 index.

 

[Gordon 7]

Sin grows and sin dominates more and more. Adam and Eve never thought their little sin would have such a catastrophic impact. Satan will try to fool us the same way today. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to not let sin reign in my body.”

Psalm 97:10 ESV O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
Start to break sin's domination over you by praying:

“Father, help me to hate evil.”

How many times will you commit to praying this prayer daily?

Second, consider saving this verse in your phone and reading it twice a day. Why? So God will preserve your life. So he will deliver you from wickedness.

Two ideas to fight sin's domination. They will help.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Joy is found when we do things exactly God's way. If you struggle with lust, constantly pray prayers about what the Bible says “To do.” The Bible says to run from lust. Pray constantly about running, think constantly about running from lust. The Bible says to be content. To be content with clean TV show, content with looking at nature instead of some temptation, to be content with thinking clean thoughts instead of evil fantasy thoughts. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to turn-from-lust, and help me to be content.”

What is your goal for how often you will pray this prayer? Remember, with every prayer you must be completely sincere with a full desire to change.

Second, the Bible says “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Do you want to “live?” We find joy and life by focusing on the Bible. We find joy and life by changing daily so that we can do what it says.

Third, how will you make your access to temptation harder?

Fourth, have a written plan of what you will do instead. Remember, you want to have a great joyful productive year. That will only happen if you gain habits of doing other things.

Finally, what two habits will you work on daily to promote your change? How will you remind yourself to do them daily?

New habits start us on a path toward joy.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: 21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.”

What commands and verses do you need to write on your door posts and gates? When we put key prayers and verses in the quitting notebook and read them every day we are obeying this command. When we leave notes around the house to remind us to turn-from-lust we are obeying this command. When we focus on praying to turn-from-lust before, and during watching TV we are obeying this command. When we have a sticky note on the dashboard of our car that says TFL (turn-from-lust), when we have notes about what new habits we want, when we come back to this site: All of these show our desire to change.

Second, think often about God's blessing that He promises for keeping His commands. It takes longer to get them than we think (Because I am more sinful than I think). But when we get God's blessings... They are great.

Summary: Write out commands, notes, and prayers. Read them, recite them, and pray about them often. Finally, expect the blessing (Someday). If you are dedicated to the end, and if you change, the blessing will happen.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

The children of Israel were given one chance to go into the promised land. They did not go in. “Later,” they regretted that decision and tried to go in. They were defeated and never made it in. We all have the chance to quit, the opportunity to go to war with sin, the opportunity to do God's will. Can we quit later? Yep. But... later, we don't get to go into the promised land.

We have this chance to go in now.

Second, how long is your window of opportunity? For many, it is right now. One chance, right now. Quit, and do things God's way.

Third, for teenagers, you might be trying daily to develop the habit of turning from lust. You may struggle for months. Maybe your developing and working on habits for quitting “Every day,” is part of your preparation to go in. I don't know, but what I do know is that the urgency to go to war with sin must be a massive priority or you might just wander in the wilderness for your whole life like the children of Israel did.

Finally, only a few do what it takes to live a great life. What do you choose?

 

[Gordon 7]

Satan tells the married person, “Your spouse has this flaw.” He tells the single person, “You have nobody, you can _____ because of that.


God says to be content. Whether married or single satan will give us a bundle of excuses.


Second, both groups need to increase in love. If married, after satan says, “She said ______, or is _______, you have the right to ______. Ignore him and pray,


“Father, help me to turn from lust, and help me to love her/him.


Third, if you are single, satan says, “You are lonely and bored, you have the right to _________.


Ignore him and pray, “Father, help me to turn from ___________, and help me to increase in love so that I will have more friends. Help me to be a friend to some lonely person.”

1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”​

Ouch, does this mean if I don't pray the prayer I just wrote a bunch of times that I do not know God? Double ouch, I need to change.


Fourth, consider praying often:


“Father, help me to turn from lust, and help me to be content.”


Finally, consider declaring war on your habit by praying prayers like these as often as possible. A person who increases in love and is content has everything that they need.

 

[Gordon 7]

To quit “For sure,” you need to know everything. Here is a system you could use. Buy 100 3 by 5 cards and a box to put them in. Every day write down:

#1 Date of the article.

#2 What the article says “To do.”

#3 Prayers from the article.

#4 Your rating from 1-10 for how good the article is.

If you can't find a great article on that day, try checking todays date 1 year ago.

Second, with this system, you are not a slave to how good today's articles are. You can instantly check your file and remind yourself of things you thought were important to work on 2, 4, 7, or 15 days ago.

Third, there are things we want to do, but we struggle to do. With this system, keep going back to that 3 by 5 card. Keep putting it in the front of the file until you overcome in that area.

Fourth, I plan on doing this myself. Why? Because, I spend a block of time in prayer, research, and Bible reading. I have a million ideas. I do a lot of them. Some of them I forget to do. I tell everyone: “You can increase in joy if you do these things.” Then I forget to do some of them.

Key point: Search until you “find” an article that will help you. Then make a card.

Finally, this system will remind me to do the key things I want to do to increase in joy. That is what I want.

 

[Gordon 7]

Ephesians 2 CEV In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God.”

In the modern cotton candy church, satan is ignored. Everything is good. He does not have “Power over everyone who doesn't obey God.” But the Bible just said that he does.

When we blatantly sin, satan has power over us. Because of this:

#1 It is wise to gain the habit of rapid repentance. Consider working on a higher degree of rapid repentance daily.

#2 Consider reminding yourself daily, “When satan has power over me... Joy flies out the window.”

#3 Sin is a way bigger problem than we think. Satan having power over us is a way bigger problem than we think.

#4 Purpose is greatly weakened when satan has power over us.

The mad cycle: Sin which allows satan to have power over us, wearing us down. Then once satan has unlimited time to have power over us, we have no strength against temptation against our main habit. Consider praying:

“Father, instantly show me the sins I ignore. I commit to rapid repentance against these sins.”

Second, what changes when we fight to put Jesus on the throne always:

#1 Satan loses his power.

#2 We have Light In our lives.

#3 We experience Jesus great love.

#4 We start to have power over satan and sin.

#5 With rapid repentance of all sin, power increases. With Christ's power increasing, we start to gain power to fight our main habit.

For the full article click.