THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

If we are totally prepared for temptation, we will overcome it. I have set up boundaries to block myself from temptation. Proverbs 4:23: “See the evil, and hide yourself.”

A fantastic verse. See temptation for what it is, “See the evil.” See temptation as your light disappearing and your depression entering.

People who have been clean for 6 months have developed expertise at hiding themselves from temptation.

I stay totally prepared in prayer for temptation that pops up. I have developed habits of exactly what I will do when temptation pops up.

Matthew 26:41 ESV
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

To “hide yourself from evil” consider having a go-to prayer that you can pray constantly. Here are 3 examples:

For lust: “Father, help me to turn from lust.”

For gambling: “Father, help me to replace thoughts of gambling with praying about doing Your will.”

“For drinking: “Lead me not into temptation, I know that you will comfort and strengthen me.”

You can write your own short prayer. You can take any prayer from this site and make it your go-to prayer.

Second, I wrote and picked a prayer that trained me to do new, better things when temptation started.

Third, pick a few candidates for your go-to prayer. Then spend 10-20 minutes praying about which one is the perfect one.

Fourth, I prayed my “go-to” prayer tens of thousands of times. I still pray it constantly. I still pray it constantly when I think temptation is about to ramp up.

Fifth, what boundaries can you set to keep yourself from temptation? When, and how can you hide yourself from temptation? How will you remind yourself to pray your “go-to” prayer constantly?

One year I wrote rfs constantly. RFS is code for run from sin. I had rfs written on every paper on my desk. Soon, I prayed about running from sin often, because I wrote it so often.

Finally, write out or put in your phone:

Proverbs 4:23: “See the evil, and hide yourself.”

Praying our “go-to” prayer helps us see the evil early. When we see it early, we can prepare better to hide ourselves.

See the evil, hide yourself, and start toward joy.

 

[Gordon 7]

Yesterday I was fighting one of my secondary habits again. For me, something bad happens and I automatically go to it.

Instead, today I am going to write down 10 times the destruction that this habit causes me:

Sleeplessness

Bad health

Less money

Less ability to reach goals

Second, consider writing your own list of the destruction your habit causes you.

Third, if you decide to write out this list 10 times (or 100 times) finish every sentence with “BIWQ” which stands for But I Will Quit.

Fourth, if your sentence is long, consider abbreviating.

Fifth, it is not a bad idea to write out this list at least once a day for every day this year.

1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

How can we be sober and vigilant so that the devil does not devour us?

First, consider reminding yourself constantly about bad things happening when habits control you.

Second, consider praying constantly about running from sin.

Third, consider praying constantly:

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

Finally, the devil will walk by you. But, just like a lion, he attacks the weak prey that are not paying any attention to what he is doing.

If you do these three things constantly, he will just keep walking.

 

[Gordon 7]

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Darkness is code for depression. Darkness is sin, and life is no good when we walk in darkness.

Today, consider making a commitment to fighting darkness. One of the main reasons I quit was because I hated the darkness. Consider praying:

“Father, teach me to hate the darkness.”

Every time you pray any quitting prayer you are praying this prayer.

Every time you quote a quitting Bible verse you are asking to live in the light.

Every time you choose to fight habits you are turning from darkness, and turning on the Light.

Second, when I started to understand how my habit “always” put me into deep darkness, I was inspired to quit.

Back then, I would do all of these Christian things right, then plunge myself back into the darkness. My recurring cycle made it hard for me to avoid depression.

One day I realized, the thing that I thought was so great, so special, so exciting... was the thing that was keeping me dark, and depressed.

Many of you trust what I write. I always quote scripture and stress doing things God's way, and the Bible way. But when I say that life will be 5 times better when you quit, when I say you will be starting toward joy, many think: “Yeah, I have quit many times and I have only experienced a tiny bit of what he is writing about.

Now get ready for a shock. You are correct.

The problem is, when you are 90% committed to Christianity you only get about 5% of the joy, and when you are fiddling with sin, the joy disappears instantly.

Third, I wrote that I prayed:

“Father, help me to run from sin,” tens of thousands of times.

A few people tried that strategy, and joy began to flow into their lives.

I noted that I wrote RFS (Run from sin) thousands of times. A few people started doing that and they have formed a great base toward quitting.

Fourth, when tempted look up 1st John. It does not take more than a few verses in this great book to grind that temptation to a halt. When tempted again, start reading 1st John again. Fact, if you keep doing this until you can quote all of the key passages in the entire 5 chapters of 1st John, you will be 80% (or more) of the way to quitting.

Fifth, if your next month consists of constantly looking up 1st John, you will have one of the most joyful months of your life. That would be good.

Finally, what is life like when you are 100% committed to running from sin and 100% committed to Christianity? Well, read how Paul's life was like in the Bible. He had fullness of joy in prison, and he was singing up a storm.

If we are committed like Paul, our joy will increase, and increase.

That would be good.

 

[Gordon 7]

1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”

Based on this verse even Biblical Paul would barely make it to heaven. So, how can this verse be true?

God looks at our heart. Are we sincerely fighting sin and habits, or, are we trying to fool God?

Second, when I realized that my New Testament devotion involved 1 John 3 today, I immediately thought of this verse. I know this verse. Why? Because this is a key verse for quitting habits.

Consider memorizing the above verse. It will help you quit. It will tell you what God wants. Over time you will start to understand why God says it must be this way.

1 John 3:10 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.”

Quitting is 51% what we do, and 49% what we stop doing. How many times should we pray to replace temptation with love? Consider praying:

“Father, keep me from temptation. Remind me to replace temptation with a prayer to increase in love.”

Third, I don't take sin as seriously as these verses take it. I need to repent and have a better plan about how to overcome sin.

Fourth, I don't take increasing in love as seriously as these verses take it. I need to repent and pray ten times more often about increasing in love.

Fifth, verse 17 is about helping others. Financially, or any other way we can. What can you do to help others?

Finally, I plan to rerun my crush temptation with SRR (Below) every couple of weeks.

Crush Temptation With SRR

Temptation hits hard either morning noon or night. When that happens we should practice SRR. SRR is Scripture, Repent, and Replace.

Scripture: Search “verses _______.” Fill in the blank with the temptation. Then read these verses and pray over them until temptation stops.

Repent: If we don't repent of all sin, and start to have a plan to stop it... Temptation will keep happening. Sin leads to sin.

Replace: Stop doing activities that lead directly to temptation. Have a list of cleaner activities. These new activities are not for fun. They are our work. They will not be fun until we “dry out” from the negative effects of the habit.

Second, change activities that tend to lead to temptation. Example, risky TV shows lead to lust. Lust lowers our ability to fight _______. Replace risky shows or ______ with something clean.

Write down three activities that make your temptation higher.

1.______________

2.______________

3.______________

Write down new activities to replace these risky activities.

1. ______________
2. ______________
3. ______________

Finally, practice SRR with the amount of time you have. If you are out and about, practicing it for 2 minutes might be perfect (Have specific verses in your phone).

If you are home where temptation might last for hours, spend some time with this technique. You might even have to go back to it several times. But, if you want a great life, go back to it as often as needed.

SRR crushes temptation. SRR puts you directly on a path toward a great life.

 

[Gordon 7]

Genesis 6:9 Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”

Noah was the most important man of his day for several reasons.

First, he was righteous.

We will never be favored by God like Noah was, but if we work constantly on the “Run from sin” habit, we will be favored more and more.

Second, he was blameless. We can't imagine how great life would be if we would start to be a bit more blameless. Things went right for Noah. People were impressed by Noah. Noah was a great example to everyone around him. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to be a great example to people around me.”

Third, Noah walked faithfully with God. My best time every day is when I spend time in scripture and in prayer.

Life is best when I am practicing the “Praise the Lord habit,” or other positive habits, and when I am trying to do God's will.

Finally, consider setting an hourly alarm so that you can work on new habits every hour. At home have your quitting notebook handy, on the road have your phone notes packed with new habits you want to learn.

If you want to quit fast you need to learn new habits fast. Constant reminders will push you constantly toward freedom.

 

[Gordon 7]

1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Today I will suggest writing and praying a prayer 1000 times. Why?

Because, 51% of quitting is what we do. Increasing in love increases Jesus “in us.” The more we increase Him in us, the easier it will be to quit.

This prayer will have 3 components. The first is from the Lord's prayer:

Father, lead me not into temptation.

The second involves the opposite of the destruction you are trying to avoid.

Examples

If your habit hurts your health: “Help me to focus on good health.”

If your habit hurts your finances: “Help me to focus on better finances.”

If your habit hurts your relationships: “Help me to focus on better relationships.”

The third component involves obeying this verses command to increase in love:

“Fill me with Your love.”

For me, my prayer is: “Father, lead me not into temptation, help me to focus on good health, and fill me with Your love.”

I love this prayer. I have already started praying it, and I already feel a tiny bit more in control.

Today, consider writing your own “part two section” (underlined), then put your prayer into action.

“Father, lead me not into temptation, (fill in your new section), and fill me with Your love.”

I know my life will improve if I get to 1000 times. But, like many other prayers, I will likely be so happy with the results that I will continue to pray it for a lot longer.

The more I pray this, the more I will be reminded of what I want. The more I pray this, the more I will be obeying what the Bible says to do: “Avoiding temptation, and increasing in love.” The more I pray this, the better my life will be.

 

[Gordon 7]

2nd John says to “Love one another.” The next verse notes we do this by walking “After His commandments.”

Bad habits keep us marching away from commandments.

Positive habits help us to walk after His commandments.

Today, I am writing about the positive habit of hating evil.

To hate evil means to abhor it, to loathe it, to be disgusted by it. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to reject evil intensely.”

When tempted, consider saying: God will be right about this being bad, and ending badly. If Eve had understood the consequences of eating the apple, she would have felt horror. Consider praying:

“Father, when I am tempted, remind me what the wages of sin are?”

Second, consider working on a positive habit every day, or every hour if you want to quit faster.

Third, have a list of positive habits to consider daily. There are at least 15 positive habits written about over the last few weeks. Consider compiling, and writing down a list of positive habits that you want to work on.

Fourth, you may love today's idea, and work on it constantly. Or, it may not speak to you at all because of your situation.

If yesterday's idea or last week's idea is really what you need to work on, work on that.

I was really helped by yesterday's prayer idea, so I am going to continue to go for 1000 times praying that prayer, but I really should hate evil more. Food for thought.

Finally, know the top 3 habits you need to acquire. Then consider working a bit on the new idea, and then spend an appropriate amount of time trying to acquire the habits you really need.

Remember, new habits take forever to learn. Just keep working on them, and one day you will turn around and say:

Wow - it finally happened.

 

[Gordon 7]

Three brothers attended a family gathering. At devotions, their grandfather quoted the following:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

The oldest brother decided to spend 20 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. For a few days, he stuck with it. But soon, the pressure of his important job and two kids made it hard to do. Plus... he really didn't notice anything different in his life.

The middle brother decided to spend 30 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. For a few weeks, he stuck with it. He had also prayed a bit about his purpose and just last week his pastor had given him a small task to do to help out at church. He had noticed that in some ways this verse was starting to come true a little bit.

But, he really expected the verse to be exactly true in a great way in his life. Why pray 30 minutes every day if it wasn't exactly true? He had things to do. Soon he was back to his normal 15 minutes of prayer per day.

The youngest brother decided to spend 55 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. He had been praying earnestly about purity and purpose and he badly wanted to do something for Jesus.

For a few days, he struggled to put the prayer time in. This was so new. But then he started to really enjoy it. After a few months, his pastor said that one of the two key youth leaders was leaving. He asked if he could help out.

At first, he hesitated. He was busy. But then he realized... that this verse was coming totally true in his life. His strength was up. He was flying like an eagle. He was running without being weary and walking without fainting.

When he called his pastor to accept the role, he felt more energy than he had felt in years. He also felt more excitement.

Before waiting on the Lord he knew he wanted something. After he dedicated himself to waiting on the Lord he now knew, this was exactly what he had been searching for.

 

[Gordon 7]

The #1 rule of quitting is to use scripture to fight off intense temptation. The more specific the scripture is to your habit the better (Search verses lust).

Another top 5 rule is to have a concrete plan ready for your top two triggers. Yesterday I saw temptation rising for one of my secondary habits, and I prayed. Temptation went through the roof and I prayed again.

Because I ignored the #1 rule, I spent the next few hours in slavery, messing up my sleep, my joy, and my day.

Prayer is to prepare for temptation, and scripture is for fighting temptation.

Second, we can all learn from a person with a gaming habit. Gaming in moderation is no big deal, but some game 30, 40, or 60 hours a week, and it is hurting them.

A great verse search for fighting temptation is “Verses purpose.”

Romans 12:2 ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”​

To fight temptation read this verse 3 times, then consider praying:

“Father, keep me from temptation, I am willing to do Your will.

Psalm 138:8 ESV The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.​

Read this verse 3 times, consider the wisdom of doing some work with your hands, and consider praying:

“Father, give me new thoughts, I want to fulfill my purpose.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV 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.”

Read this verse 3 times, and consider praying:

“Father, remind me of Your judgments, help me to fear You.”

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”​

Consider praying:

“Father, help me to be the salt of the earth. I am willing to be a shining light in a dark, dark world.”

Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.​

Read this verse 3 times, and consider praying:

“Father, I am willing to do good works. Please show me Your will.”

As always, feel free to print this out for your own personal use (or church use).

Finally, consider praying 200 times:

“Father, remind me to instantly run to scripture the second that I have intense temptation.”

There is power in scripture.

 

[Gordon 7]

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.

Second, 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.

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.

Second, 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.

 

[Gordon 7]

How can we stay motivated to keep fighting in a world where temptation surrounds us?

We can all learn from a person struggling with lust.

They go to work and their habit is to look at things they shouldn't look at. Then they go to their daughter's volleyball game and it gets worse. Then they try to watch TV and temptation is through the roof.

I always say we are supposed to live a life that has purpose and one that leads toward joy. Many try it for 6-12-18 days and say... I have hardly increased in joy.

Well, try quitting and living with purpose for 12 weeks straight.

When you do that your joy will increase! Consider getting involved at church, charities, and with helping others. Consider going to war with sin for 12 weeks straight.

Second, the 12-week test will give you a sample of how great life could be. We all read about the person who fell after 93 days. They are downright mad at themselves. They found the good life, and they blew it for a short time of pleasure (with added destruction). Now they have to fight to even get started again.

Third, how can we stay motivated in a world filled with temptation?

I would never give up the joy that I now have. I never want to go back to the darkness that used to plague me when I fell. I never want the destruction that used to happen regularly, to start happening again.

I want to keep my purpose. I want to keep my joy. I want to live my life in Light instead of darkness, frustration, and depression.

Fourth, I am 100% motivated to fight the temptation of my former habit 24 hours a day, 100% of the time. That habit had stolen my life and now I have it back. Consider praying:

“Father, I will go to war with sin. Please show me a bit of Your joy.”

Finally, very few people print out the article “The Word,” to use it to fight temptation. Very few just put it on their lap and say, “I am pounding this habit out with God's Word.”

Today, rate your motivation level to fight 100%, 24 hours a day. What changes will you do to make that happen?

Fight – Pound the habit out – Win.

 

[Gordon 7]

To be habit free we should strive to always be thinking and working on something. This is vital because there is no neutral. Either we are improving or we will default to something bad. Eve was not praising God and focusing on exactly what He wanted when satan suggested the fatal apple. She was neutral, in a vacuum, open to ideas.
Instead, if we are working on a negative emotion to try to please God, we are in "drive" not in neutral. Pick the negative emotion you need to go to war with. Anger, anxiety, or any of a dozen other ones. Next, print out a bunch of verses on that emotion. Then pray, meditate, memorize and focus on these verses. Focusing on the Word puts us in overdrive.
Next, think about a good trait you want. I am meditating on verses about strength. If satan pops some temptation on me today, I know that I would be blowing my chances of gaining in strength if I listen to him for even one minute.
Second, my brother hates that I mute the TV during commercials when we watch the football game. But, I want to be praying or praising God. I never want to be in a vacuum while watching TV. Even more importantly, I pray urgently to turn aggressively from lust throughout normal TV shows.
Third, find things that inspire you to think and improve. Find some good Christian music videos or a Christian book to start your thinking in a good direction.
Last, memorize the fact that we are either hot or cold as Christians. There is no neutral. If you start sliding into a neutral state... panic because it will end badly. Then shift immediately into drive and get your mind back to thinking about productive Godly things.

 

[Gordon 7]

When we go to scripture to fight temptation, we have a tool that will keep us from falling. I have referenced my article “The Word” as a printout to fight off temptation. But what if you want many different references so that you have some variety?

In my book “What the Bible says about addiction,” you can have 200 solutions. All are 100% Bible based.

It is not a “Get inspired book.” Not about getting hyped up. All it is, is every verse about habits in the New Testament. Then I add a few sentences about why that verse is important for quitting.

Today, my Bible reading was Revelation 6 and Ezekiel 13. Neither chapter had anything about quitting any habit. Neither chapter is perfect for a chapter to run to when temptation overwhelms us.

In this book, every Bible reference is about quitting. Every chapter is filled with Bible verses.

You can run to this book with every temptation. Yes, highly specific verses are best, but many people struggle to keep running to “The _____ will not inherit the kingdom of heaven,” for the hundredth time.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

Finally, have 6-8 one-page printouts of Bible verses to run to for fighting temptation, or have 200 by getting this book (It is free for Amazon members).

We can choose to run to scripture. We can choose to have power over sin. The choice is ours.

 

[Gordon 7]

Bad habits start to kill, partially kill, or do kill our passion for Jesus Christ. David is our great example of this. He had a huge passion for God when he was young. He prayed constantly and meditated on the Word. Then he let sin creep in, causing his passion at one point to disappear, and major sin followed. Then he fully repented.

David had great success and joy when he had a full passion for God.

GotQuestions.org noted: “The first love which characterized the Ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved Christ because He first loved them (1 John 4:19) and that it was, in fact, His love for them that had made them “alive together with Christ.” So overwhelmed were they by the joy that came from understanding their former state—dead in trespasses and sins—and their new life in Christ, that they exhibited the fruit of that joy (Ephesians 2:1-5).

When David's pleasure and joy were from God, he lived one of the greatest lives ever. Consider praying:

“Father, show me how to make You my joy and pleasure.”

Consider writing your own prayer about this. Over the last two days I have constantly prayed:

“Father, You are my provider, You are my miracle, doing Your will is my pleasure, and You are my pleasure and joy.”

When we insist on having a great passion for God, bad habits disappear.

Second, passion leads to purpose. When David was in sync with God he fulfilled God's purposes. When he fulfilled God's plan for him, God's joy remained with him.

Consider praying:

“Father, take away this _____ habit, and help me to care about souls, and helping people.”

Fourth, the Bible says that David “Praised the Lord” seven times per day. Praising the Lord increases our joy and brings us closer to God. If habits are ensnaring you, or if depression is swallowing you, you might want to praise the Lord seven times seventy times per day.

Finally, is Christianity the greatest thing ever?

Yes!!!!!

Make it the greatest thing ever by going to war with habits and with sin, and by being passionate about God just like David was.

 

[Gordon 7]

One of the top 4 ways to stop addiction is to be on fire for something else. A person who is on fire is eager, and zealous with enthusiasm for a new activity. In Acts 2 the fire of the Holy Spirit descended on the Christians. They were changed from A to Z.

Gotquestions online said the following:

“The opposite of an “on-fire” Christian is a lukewarm one. The wealthy, complacent believers in Laodicea were rebuked by the Lord: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16). Lukewarm is the least desirable attribute for water or for spiritual commitment. Spiritually, a person who is “hot” or “on fire” for Christ can be very useful. But a person who is “lukewarm” toward Jesus possesses only tepid commitment and lives without joy, without love, and without the fire of the Spirit. “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Timothy 3:5, NLT).

Christians who are “on fire” for the Lord reject the safe, comfortable life in favor of accomplishing God’s will; they actively “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). They are “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14). Some believers today need to heed Paul’s advice: “I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you” (2 Timothy 1:6, NLT).”

Wow, great stuff. Secondly, I talk about striving to live in the light. Fire gives off a lot of light. This week: consider focusing on 1 John 3, John 15, and on Psalms 1, and focusing on praying to be filled with the Holy Spirits' fire.

Next, always make putting Jesus first as the priority. Then, consider focusing on working on your quitting goal every day. Lastly, focus on God's promise in Psalms one: 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

 

[Gordon 7]

Often we pray about what we want. We can spend 30 minutes in prayer without once praying about what God wants. We pray about money troubles, car troubles, and people troubles while forgetting that people around us are in pain.

This week I am praying a lot about being ready. God is really answering that prayer for me this week. It is very likely in His will. He wants me to be ready to go to war with sin and to do His will. I am focusing constantly on that prayer. I am getting answers to that prayer.

Yesterday a lady came over to buy a paint easel. This time I was ready to talk to her about God if she was interested. She was. She was very interested in talking about the Bible.

Temptation

Second, be ready with a plan for what you will do later today. If _______ happens, you will _________. When this _________ type of temptation happens you will ___________.

Third, consider having a two-way, or three-part plan of exactly what to do when temptation gets severe. Then “instantly” start doing it when you get overwhelmed. If you think about it for a bit, you allow satan to join the battle in full force. That is a bad idea.

Finally, pray about what God wants, be ready, and have an exact plan of how to fight off temptation.

 

[Gordon 7]

10 weeks ago, I tore my rotator cuff. A smart person would quit lifting weights and would start icing the injury twice per day. I kept lifting weights and refused to ice it.

Some of you are planning to quit porn. Today you will be told that you should print out a bunch of verses https://www.openbible.info/topics/lust about the subject and use them to fight temptation. Meditate on them and pray over them. You will also be told to learn the habit of turning immediately and aggressively from lust.

Back to the injury:

Here is the thing. It was way easier for me to do what I wanted to do 10 weeks ago. However... 10 weeks later I really wish that I had been smart, not stupid 10 weeks ago.

9 weeks ago, it would have been smart for me to find rehab exercises online. I could have really strengthened my shoulder by now. But I was toooooo busy. It is still weak right now. It hurts right now. 9 weeks later, I really wish that I had been smart, not stupid 9 weeks ago.

Finally, 3 weeks ago, I started rehab exercises. Better late than never.

But hey. I am not an idiot. I did start my exercises and I do them fanatically now every day. The problem is being worked on and it will be solved.

Back to habits:

If you don't have the two habits from paragraph two, it would be smart to acquire them now so that in 10 weeks, you will be on your way. If you have these habits, dig until you find a new habit today to help you quit.

Conclusion:

I am really glad I started rehab 3 weeks ago. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Gordon 7]

This week I am watching the Wimbledon tennis tournament. The temptation is about average for watching something like this (beautiful female tennis players).

I will focus on two things to stay “free” of lust this week. I will practice turning from lust consistently and often. The more we think about turning, the more we will practice it. Before I turn on the TV I will pray:

“Father, help me to turn from lust.”

Then I will pray it often throughout any program that has any risk.

Second, I will focus on studying the fruits of the Spirit on the days that I watch. Today I am printing out the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

This month I will be praying over each of the fruits of the Spirit. Reading each fruit, then praying: “Father, fill me with Your love.” “Father, fill me with Your joy.” “Father, fill me with Your self-control etc.”

Praying over the fruits of the Spirit is wise because it allows the Spirit to fill you and help you.

There are always two parts to quitting. What you stop doing, and what you start doing. Plus, if what you start doing involves scripture... that is a real home run.

Third, you can use this powerful verse for fighting temptation. With every temptation, read this verse, then pray over each fruit. You might say: “I will be doing that 189 times if I do it with every temptation.”

That would be so great: 189 prayers for increasing love, 189 prayers for increasing in joy, 189 prayers for increasing peace, toughness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Fourth, Biblical Paul was not great because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was great because... If he had bad habits, this is exactly the kind of thing he would do to pound bad habits out while pounding in great Biblical things.

As always, feel free to print this out for your own personal use, or for church use.

 

[Gordon 7]

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ the moment temptation happens. Jesus quoted memory verses to fight off temptation.

We must memorize how Jesus fought off temptation. Consider reading the underlined sentence 7 times.

Second, we must start with at least one verse. Search “Verses ______,” fill in the blank with your habit. Then pick one verse. Consider putting it in your phone, or copy and paste it into your computer or device. Or, a simple written note will do.

Third, consider starting to memorize it. Realize that every person reading this can do a soft memorization of their verse if they try.

With every temptation, look at your note and read it.

Fourth, what if you are out and about and you try to quote the above verse and all you can remember is, “Make no provision for the flesh.”

Good!!!!

How many ways can you pray about making no provision for the flesh?

“Father, help me to make no provision for the flesh.

“Father, my goal is to make no provision for the flesh.

“Father, I will do things Your way, I will make no provision for the flesh.

“Father, keep me from temptation, my plan is to make no provision for the flesh.

“Father, I do not want the destruction _______ brings me. I will make no provision for the flesh.

Fifth, it's not a memory contest. Try to get a key verse “In you.” Try to memorize the key point. At least quote the key point of the verse when fighting temptation.

Sixth, if you are going out and you have your phone... Is it wise to look at your key verse 44 times straight if you are tempted 44 straight times? Yes!!!!

Finally, Jesus always prayed to prepare for his battles. Jesus always fought temptation with key verses from the Bible about the subject.

If you want to quit. Fight temptation like Jesus did.

 

[Gordon 7]

Adam and Eve's sin explains what “The wages of sin is death” means. Because of their sin, the previously fruitful ground was cursed. Now we have weeds. #2 They were banished from the garden. #3 Now we have constant problems instead of enjoying life in paradise. #4 Now there is childbirth pain. #5 They caused mankind to start life in a sinful state instead of a righteous state. #6 Yes, their sin caused them to physically die at a later day instead of living on earth forever. But... judge for yourself if that was more costly than the other effects.

As you pray more, you will realize the destruction lust causes. Consider praying often:

“Father, show me the destruction lust causes.”

When we “Quit to live,” we discover the destruction that was happening before. When we “Quit to live,” we start the process of healing that may replace some of what was lost.

Second, after people fall satan will tell them, “You might as well do what you want now. The damage is already done.” That is a lie. Believing that will keep you in bondage.

A Story

A rich man found heroin. He hid it well for a while, but then his wife said, “Quit or I am gone.” She caught him, she left. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.”

He continued and soon lost his furniture. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.” He continued and soon piled up huge debts. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.” He continued and soon lost his job. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.” He continued and soon lost his house. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.” He continued and was soon living in a cardboard box. Satan said, “The damage is done, do what you want to do.”

Third, satan is a liar. The damage is not done. Continuing to fall starts to stack up depression 5000 miles high. Then it goes higher.

Fourth, to “Quit to live,” consider saying every day:

“Something dies, partially dies, or starts to die when I believe satan's lies.” This is always true.

Fifth, you were obsessed with lust. Today, consider becoming obsessed with working on becoming kind. Pray about it, think about it. The Bible says to “Think about things above.” Now is the perfect time to become obsessed with that.

Here is a great video on kindness.

Finally, if you are struggling, consider printing out the article "Practice" and putting it on your lap and studying it every time you are tempted. Using Jesus' method for fighting temptation works.