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THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION
- Thread starter Gordon 7
- Start date
What are the top three things you lose because of this habit?
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
Hopefully, one of your top three is the close relationship with Jesus. Thinking: He was right here, now, darkness, being alone, and depression is soon on its way.
I especially hated going to bed while staying in sin. I always felt like: “I had something great, now I am empty and vacant.”
The #1 thing I recommend for quitting is to do everything and anything to establish that great relationship with Jesus this week. You need to know that you are giving up something great if you fall. You need to know that God does have something great for you to do someday (or now). You need to know that the Bible is true, and that doing things God's way always leads to your best life.
Second, this week, consider spending extra time with Jesus. Extra time in prayer. Extra time praising Him. Extra time giving thanks for all things. Extra time working on healthy habits.
Third, when you have a close relationship with Jesus, you don't lose anything because of it. What if you said 10 times daily: “I don't want to lose:
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
anymore (fill in the blanks with the things you lose because of this habit).
My goal is to have a great relationship with Jesus.
Fourth, I did exactly that. Now I spend extra time with Jesus every week. Now I have zero interest in going back to the way I used to live. I have zero interest because... Now I have this great life. Why would I want a bad life again?
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
Hopefully, one of your top three is the close relationship with Jesus. Thinking: He was right here, now, darkness, being alone, and depression is soon on its way.
I especially hated going to bed while staying in sin. I always felt like: “I had something great, now I am empty and vacant.”
The #1 thing I recommend for quitting is to do everything and anything to establish that great relationship with Jesus this week. You need to know that you are giving up something great if you fall. You need to know that God does have something great for you to do someday (or now). You need to know that the Bible is true, and that doing things God's way always leads to your best life.
Second, this week, consider spending extra time with Jesus. Extra time in prayer. Extra time praising Him. Extra time giving thanks for all things. Extra time working on healthy habits.
Third, when you have a close relationship with Jesus, you don't lose anything because of it. What if you said 10 times daily: “I don't want to lose:
1.____________
2.____________
3.____________
anymore (fill in the blanks with the things you lose because of this habit).
My goal is to have a great relationship with Jesus.
Fourth, I did exactly that. Now I spend extra time with Jesus every week. Now I have zero interest in going back to the way I used to live. I have zero interest because... Now I have this great life. Why would I want a bad life again?
Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Seek Jesus, work on righteousness, and then you will find everything else.Many people who struggle with habits are currently in a rut. Life is not great, and any glimpse of pleasure seems great.
When a tiny bit of pleasure is available from the habit, you have a choice... Stay in that rut, and add that pleasure, or do things God's way.
God offers 5 times as much joy later (With no destruction added). God offers a great purpose driven life. God offers His great presence available to us right now. We just have to turn from sin and pray fervently about purpose.
Second, people constantly trade in their joy for the year in exchange for a few hours of wrongful pleasure.
My joy will be 100% higher than any person in the world who does this. Consider praying:
“Father, I will fight this wrongful pleasure. I choose long-term joy. I choose Your way.”
Third, people constantly trade in their joy in exchange for a few hours of level two or level three pleasure. Note: This is the best satan can offer. God does offer us level ten pleasure, but we need to go to war with sin to get there.
Psalm 16 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Consider memorizing this great verse.
Consider working on change until this verse starts to come true. Consider working on healthier habits until this verse starts to be true for you. Consider saving this verse in your phone and reviewing it every time you are tempted.
Consider praying:
“Father, show me how this verse is true.”
“Father, I will run from sin.”
The truth of this verse is not a secret. It's a choice.
When a tiny bit of pleasure is available from the habit, you have a choice... Stay in that rut, and add that pleasure, or do things God's way.
God offers 5 times as much joy later (With no destruction added). God offers a great purpose driven life. God offers His great presence available to us right now. We just have to turn from sin and pray fervently about purpose.
Second, people constantly trade in their joy for the year in exchange for a few hours of wrongful pleasure.
My joy will be 100% higher than any person in the world who does this. Consider praying:
“Father, I will fight this wrongful pleasure. I choose long-term joy. I choose Your way.”
Third, people constantly trade in their joy in exchange for a few hours of level two or level three pleasure. Note: This is the best satan can offer. God does offer us level ten pleasure, but we need to go to war with sin to get there.
Psalm 16 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Consider memorizing this great verse.
Consider working on change until this verse starts to come true. Consider working on healthier habits until this verse starts to be true for you. Consider saving this verse in your phone and reviewing it every time you are tempted.
Consider praying:
“Father, show me how this verse is true.”
“Father, I will run from sin.”
The truth of this verse is not a secret. It's a choice.
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.
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.
The Bible is more important for quitting if you pray a lot and don't do what the Bible says. Prayer is an unused weapon if all you do is go to church and read a chapter of the Bible every day. The point is... satan wins when we are unbalanced in either direction. Most every person reading this is unbalanced and is on one side or the other (including the writer).
Some of you would be shocked to learn that my unbalance is not enough scripture and plenty of prayer. Since I more often tell you to read and study scripture all of the time. Why? Because I am trying to be more balanced.
Satan will use whatever you don't do enough to keep you in bondage.
Second, and this is just my opinion. Satan hates it when we study the Bible and when we pray, but he prefers for us to be unbalanced with less Bible study. Why? I spent decades praying about lust. Praying about anger, and greed. But then, in a moment of clarity, I started attacking these issues with Bible verses about them.
I am not saying prayer did not work for me. It did. I prayed and prayed and prayed about anger and God delivered me from that. But if you ask me today how to attack your anger, I will tell you to first look up verses on anger so that you can study, meditate and dwell on them until Jesus' truth about anger starts filling you up. Then, pray, pray, and pray consistently about anger to prepare for your next temptation.
But... I had such a stronghold of lust. Prayer alone did not work for me. The truth is, I really needed all that prayer, plus a focus on purpose, plus those Bible verses to pound it out of me.
Third; today, be honest about which discipline you don't do enough. Then consider praying:
“Father, show me how to be balanced.”
If you are a Bible pounder and you don't know how to pray. You are going to be shocked by what happens when you dig into prayer. If you love to pray and never give the Bible a thought other than a quick chapter a day. You will be shocked by the power it brings you when you dig into scripture about things you want changed in your life (It works better when the things are God's will).
Use “Verses _______” to pound on some sin habit if you see that prayer is your strength. Spend extra time in prayer if you see that you get plenty of scripture in you. If what you are now doing is not beating your habit... consider changing what you are doing.
Being balanced more than doubles your weapons of warfare.
Double your weapons today, and determine to change your former lack of balance into a current strength. It will be a great decision.
Some of you would be shocked to learn that my unbalance is not enough scripture and plenty of prayer. Since I more often tell you to read and study scripture all of the time. Why? Because I am trying to be more balanced.
Satan will use whatever you don't do enough to keep you in bondage.
Second, and this is just my opinion. Satan hates it when we study the Bible and when we pray, but he prefers for us to be unbalanced with less Bible study. Why? I spent decades praying about lust. Praying about anger, and greed. But then, in a moment of clarity, I started attacking these issues with Bible verses about them.
I am not saying prayer did not work for me. It did. I prayed and prayed and prayed about anger and God delivered me from that. But if you ask me today how to attack your anger, I will tell you to first look up verses on anger so that you can study, meditate and dwell on them until Jesus' truth about anger starts filling you up. Then, pray, pray, and pray consistently about anger to prepare for your next temptation.
But... I had such a stronghold of lust. Prayer alone did not work for me. The truth is, I really needed all that prayer, plus a focus on purpose, plus those Bible verses to pound it out of me.
Third; today, be honest about which discipline you don't do enough. Then consider praying:
“Father, show me how to be balanced.”
If you are a Bible pounder and you don't know how to pray. You are going to be shocked by what happens when you dig into prayer. If you love to pray and never give the Bible a thought other than a quick chapter a day. You will be shocked by the power it brings you when you dig into scripture about things you want changed in your life (It works better when the things are God's will).
Use “Verses _______” to pound on some sin habit if you see that prayer is your strength. Spend extra time in prayer if you see that you get plenty of scripture in you. If what you are now doing is not beating your habit... consider changing what you are doing.
Being balanced more than doubles your weapons of warfare.
Double your weapons today, and determine to change your former lack of balance into a current strength. It will be a great decision.
How can we increase getting scripture in us in a great way? Many read the Bible daily. One, two, even 5 chapters daily. Reading the Bible daily is a must for quitting. The more chapters, the better.
A second great way to get scripture in us is to form the habit of “solving” our problems with scripture. If you have a problem, study scripture, pray over scripture, and meditate over scripture to solve that problem.
Example: Anger keeps getting you in trouble. Search “Verses anger.” Then, study these verses, pray over them, and meditate on them.
You can search “verses - frustration, anxiety, money, lust, health, purpose, or anything else.
Consider writing down two problems you would like to work on.
1. _____________
2. _____________
Search “Verses ___________ (fill in the blank with the issue you want solved). Then, study these verses, pray over them, and meditate on them.
Second, how can you make it a habit to solve problems with scripture?
Put out some notes.
Consider praying often:
“Father, help me to solve problems with scripture.”
Put a note in your phone.
Tell two people that this is a good idea. When we teach others good habits, we remember to do them ourselves more often.
Make a note in your quitting notebook to solve problems with scripture.
Consider printing this out.
Finally, the more scripture you get “in you,” the more power you will have against temptation. Consider working often on the habit of solving problems with scripture. It helps break habits.
A second great way to get scripture in us is to form the habit of “solving” our problems with scripture. If you have a problem, study scripture, pray over scripture, and meditate over scripture to solve that problem.
Example: Anger keeps getting you in trouble. Search “Verses anger.” Then, study these verses, pray over them, and meditate on them.
You can search “verses - frustration, anxiety, money, lust, health, purpose, or anything else.
Consider writing down two problems you would like to work on.
1. _____________
2. _____________
Search “Verses ___________ (fill in the blank with the issue you want solved). Then, study these verses, pray over them, and meditate on them.
Second, how can you make it a habit to solve problems with scripture?
Put out some notes.
Consider praying often:
“Father, help me to solve problems with scripture.”
Put a note in your phone.
Tell two people that this is a good idea. When we teach others good habits, we remember to do them ourselves more often.
Make a note in your quitting notebook to solve problems with scripture.
Consider printing this out.
Finally, the more scripture you get “in you,” the more power you will have against temptation. Consider working often on the habit of solving problems with scripture. It helps break habits.
Delilah asked Samson. Tell me what would cause you to lose your strength? He said: New ropes. That night they tied him up with new ropes. Here is the point. Samson knew Delilah was ready and waiting to get him. But she was so beautiful and she told him how much she loved him (in between episodes of trying to kill him).
How stupid was he? We would never do that.
I put "snakes killing" into the search on Youtube. As I watched a few videos I thought, this is morbid, why in the world did I put in that search? But then as I prayed last night it dawned on me. The snake simply crawls up to the mouse until he is 5 inches from their face. Then he sinks his fangs into them. The prey is distracted or too busy eating to notice the snake. This happened time after time. The prey did not understand what a snake looked like.
We do the exact same thing. Satan crawls right up to our faces and tells us how great what he is offering is. When temptation overwhelms us we either have the habit of running to the verses for quitting or we get what satan is offering. The verses make us see what he looks like and what he is about to do. In the videos, the same thing always happened. The snake sank his fangs into them.
When tempted we can choose to run to verses about lust or we can choose to not be aware that a snake is 5 inches from our face with every intent to sink his fangs into us.
How stupid was he? We would never do that.
I put "snakes killing" into the search on Youtube. As I watched a few videos I thought, this is morbid, why in the world did I put in that search? But then as I prayed last night it dawned on me. The snake simply crawls up to the mouse until he is 5 inches from their face. Then he sinks his fangs into them. The prey is distracted or too busy eating to notice the snake. This happened time after time. The prey did not understand what a snake looked like.
We do the exact same thing. Satan crawls right up to our faces and tells us how great what he is offering is. When temptation overwhelms us we either have the habit of running to the verses for quitting or we get what satan is offering. The verses make us see what he looks like and what he is about to do. In the videos, the same thing always happened. The snake sank his fangs into them.
When tempted we can choose to run to verses about lust or we can choose to not be aware that a snake is 5 inches from our face with every intent to sink his fangs into us.
I rate “Daily Bible-study (5 chapters per day if you have time) as a great tip for quitting. I rate a block of time in prayer as a great tip for quitting. But many hear about praying for an hour a day and think, “I have no idea how to do that.” Here is an idea that anyone can do if they simply say, “I want to be more dedicated to God.”
Consider searching “Bible chapters that are good to pray over.” You will find many great ideas on Google. For example, I have prayed and thought about Psalm one often.
First, praying over any passage is a great distraction activity.
Second, this process increases the Holy Spirit in us.
Third, Psalm One is very inspirational to me. It says that I can be blessed and prosper. It tells me how to try to do that. For me, it took years to learn to do what the passage says to do, but every time I think about it, I move forward in a positive manner.
Fourth, the more we get scripture in us, the more we are inspired to do God's will.
Fifth, Billy Graham was a great evangelist. Many were saved. But fewer people know the story of the woman who constantly prayed for him. Pearle Goode went on crusade with Billy and prayed and prayed for hours daily for him. Thousands, if not millions were saved. At Pearl's memorial service, Ruth Bell Graham spoke these encouraging words concerning her: “Here lie the mortal remains of much of the secret of Bill’s ministry.” What an honor.
Today, consider finding a ministry that you believe in and pray for it every day. Today, consider starting the habit of searching for a great Bible chapter, praying over it, and meditating on it. These things lead us toward purpose.
Starting to find purpose is a top 5 way to quit. Consider starting today.
Consider searching “Bible chapters that are good to pray over.” You will find many great ideas on Google. For example, I have prayed and thought about Psalm one often.
First, praying over any passage is a great distraction activity.
Second, this process increases the Holy Spirit in us.
Third, Psalm One is very inspirational to me. It says that I can be blessed and prosper. It tells me how to try to do that. For me, it took years to learn to do what the passage says to do, but every time I think about it, I move forward in a positive manner.
Fourth, the more we get scripture in us, the more we are inspired to do God's will.
Fifth, Billy Graham was a great evangelist. Many were saved. But fewer people know the story of the woman who constantly prayed for him. Pearle Goode went on crusade with Billy and prayed and prayed for hours daily for him. Thousands, if not millions were saved. At Pearl's memorial service, Ruth Bell Graham spoke these encouraging words concerning her: “Here lie the mortal remains of much of the secret of Bill’s ministry.” What an honor.
Today, consider finding a ministry that you believe in and pray for it every day. Today, consider starting the habit of searching for a great Bible chapter, praying over it, and meditating on it. These things lead us toward purpose.
Starting to find purpose is a top 5 way to quit. Consider starting today.
Consider making a quitting prayer list. Over the last 100 days, I have recommended dozens of quitting prayers. Consider filling up a Google doc, or Word doc with prayers that you like from those articles. Also consider adding Key Bible verses from old articles, or from your daily devotion.
Second, a block of time in prayer should be your best, most pleasurable time of the day. Simply decide how long you plan to pray. First, start with the Lord's prayer. Then decide how long you will spend praying over each quitting prayer, or Bible verse.
Third, I always spend a few minutes praising the Lord.
Fourth, after specific Bible verses, spending time in prayer is the best alternative activity you can do for quitting.
Fifth, my goal is to recommend about 5 times in September to consider praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
“Father, help me to do Your will.”
“Father, help me to turn from lust.”
Finally, what if you have the habit of praying daily over your quitting prayer list?
Google says:
“The benefits of prayer include reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, along with improved mood, increased hope, and a greater sense of calm. Regular prayer can strengthen one's spiritual connection to a higher power, promote empathy, and provide direction and confidence in life. It also serves as a powerful coping mechanism, offers a sense of control in challenging situations, and can foster a supportive community among believers.”
Plus, it will help with quitting. Consider starting on your quitting prayer list today.
Second, a block of time in prayer should be your best, most pleasurable time of the day. Simply decide how long you plan to pray. First, start with the Lord's prayer. Then decide how long you will spend praying over each quitting prayer, or Bible verse.
Third, I always spend a few minutes praising the Lord.
Fourth, after specific Bible verses, spending time in prayer is the best alternative activity you can do for quitting.
Fifth, my goal is to recommend about 5 times in September to consider praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
“Father, help me to do Your will.”
“Father, help me to turn from lust.”
Finally, what if you have the habit of praying daily over your quitting prayer list?
Google says:
“The benefits of prayer include reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, along with improved mood, increased hope, and a greater sense of calm. Regular prayer can strengthen one's spiritual connection to a higher power, promote empathy, and provide direction and confidence in life. It also serves as a powerful coping mechanism, offers a sense of control in challenging situations, and can foster a supportive community among believers.”
Plus, it will help with quitting. Consider starting on your quitting prayer list today.
Proverbs seven is a warning against sleeping with an adultress. But, what if you are quitting gambling, smoking, or something else, how does that chapter help?
21 With her enticing speech, she caused him to yield,”
With habits, either we say or think, or listen to someone who says: Do this!
When we hear/think that, say: No!
With every temptation, start fighting every time by saying No!
No one believes that if you say 100 times today:
“I will stay pure and free today,” that it would be a perfect long term solution. I agree, we need a more biblical approach. But, if you want to stay free today, say it 100 times. It will make it twice as easy to stay pure and free from your habit just from saying it.
My “flesh” tries to cause me to yield. I will fight it and say no!
Next: Verse 21 “With her flattering lips she seduced him.”
She lured him. There is something about your habit that lures you. Stop for one minute and think about what lures you.
The fish sees the lure. I watch and think: That fish is so stupid. The lure has a hook waiting. Obviously, the lure leads to disaster. But unless that fish says “No” and swims the other way, it will be in trouble. When an animal near a trap keeps looking, keeps sniffing, and keeps their focus on the lure, they will be trapped sooner or later.
Second, the last seven verses of the chapter remind one vividly of the destruction that happens when we think about and focus on the lure.
Third, saying no is smart. Quoting a Bible verse to fight temptation adds Jesus' power to the mix. That's a nice one-two punch. Consider working daily on the “Saying No to temptation habit.”
Know what your lure is. Then have a plan for how you will react when you are lured.
21 With her enticing speech, she caused him to yield,”
With habits, either we say or think, or listen to someone who says: Do this!
When we hear/think that, say: No!
With every temptation, start fighting every time by saying No!
No one believes that if you say 100 times today:
“I will stay pure and free today,” that it would be a perfect long term solution. I agree, we need a more biblical approach. But, if you want to stay free today, say it 100 times. It will make it twice as easy to stay pure and free from your habit just from saying it.
My “flesh” tries to cause me to yield. I will fight it and say no!
Next: Verse 21 “With her flattering lips she seduced him.”
She lured him. There is something about your habit that lures you. Stop for one minute and think about what lures you.
The fish sees the lure. I watch and think: That fish is so stupid. The lure has a hook waiting. Obviously, the lure leads to disaster. But unless that fish says “No” and swims the other way, it will be in trouble. When an animal near a trap keeps looking, keeps sniffing, and keeps their focus on the lure, they will be trapped sooner or later.
Second, the last seven verses of the chapter remind one vividly of the destruction that happens when we think about and focus on the lure.
Third, saying no is smart. Quoting a Bible verse to fight temptation adds Jesus' power to the mix. That's a nice one-two punch. Consider working daily on the “Saying No to temptation habit.”
Know what your lure is. Then have a plan for how you will react when you are lured.
Many instruct people to pray the Lord's prayer after we sin. That is good, but maybe we should also pray to prepare for temptation.
The key phrase in the Lord's prayer for people with habits is:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
It would be wise for everyone to pray KMFT many times daily. We should pray it before we are forced into a tempting situation, pray it before we turn on the TV, pray it when emotions start to drag us down, pray it when people start to rag on us, pray it when we see tempting things, pray it when we hear bad news.
Consider writing down three additional tempting times when you should pray it:
1. ___________
2. ___________
3. ___________
My personal goal is to pray it 10,000 times, and by 10,000, I mean to make it a habit that I will do constantly, daily for the rest of my life.
There is power in the “Keep me from temptation” prayer habit. While it is not as powerful as the “Fight back with scripture” habit, it is a great habit and it helps us with fighting bad thoughts.
Second, Google AI writes: “You should pray, "Father, keep me from temptation," whenever you sense spiritual danger or weakness, whether it's during times of stress, before sleep, or as part of your daily routine. This prayer, a part of the Lord's Prayer ("Lead us not into temptation"), serves as a constant plea for God's guidance and protection against sin, external enticements, and your own fleshly desires, preparing you to overcome the challenges you will undoubtedly face.
Third, the Bible says, "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation". This means being alert to situations where you are vulnerable and praying for God's help to avoid falling into them.
Fourth, The prayer is a request for eyes to see the danger of temptation and for the discernment to recognize it when it appears.
Fifth, It includes a plea to be delivered from the evil one, who seeks to entice you into evil and away from God.”
Finally, consider writing a note in your phone to remind you of this important habit. Consider setting an alarm every 30 minutes to get you started with this great habit. Consider physical notes or other reminders.
Reminder: Every time you pray it must be totally sincere with a complete desire to change.
This is a great, great habit to work on, and everyone who acquires it will see life-changing results.
The key phrase in the Lord's prayer for people with habits is:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
It would be wise for everyone to pray KMFT many times daily. We should pray it before we are forced into a tempting situation, pray it before we turn on the TV, pray it when emotions start to drag us down, pray it when people start to rag on us, pray it when we see tempting things, pray it when we hear bad news.
Consider writing down three additional tempting times when you should pray it:
1. ___________
2. ___________
3. ___________
My personal goal is to pray it 10,000 times, and by 10,000, I mean to make it a habit that I will do constantly, daily for the rest of my life.
There is power in the “Keep me from temptation” prayer habit. While it is not as powerful as the “Fight back with scripture” habit, it is a great habit and it helps us with fighting bad thoughts.
Second, Google AI writes: “You should pray, "Father, keep me from temptation," whenever you sense spiritual danger or weakness, whether it's during times of stress, before sleep, or as part of your daily routine. This prayer, a part of the Lord's Prayer ("Lead us not into temptation"), serves as a constant plea for God's guidance and protection against sin, external enticements, and your own fleshly desires, preparing you to overcome the challenges you will undoubtedly face.
Third, the Bible says, "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation". This means being alert to situations where you are vulnerable and praying for God's help to avoid falling into them.
Fourth, The prayer is a request for eyes to see the danger of temptation and for the discernment to recognize it when it appears.
Fifth, It includes a plea to be delivered from the evil one, who seeks to entice you into evil and away from God.”
Finally, consider writing a note in your phone to remind you of this important habit. Consider setting an alarm every 30 minutes to get you started with this great habit. Consider physical notes or other reminders.
Reminder: Every time you pray it must be totally sincere with a complete desire to change.
This is a great, great habit to work on, and everyone who acquires it will see life-changing results.
Many have read verses about lust to combat lust. Some have studied verses about lust to fight lust. But only a few fight lust exactly the way Jesus did. When Jesus was tempted, He fought every temptation with a Bible verse. But… Jesus did not have any sin strongholds in his life, so satan bounced from one temptation to the next. But that is not how he attacks us. Lust, more lust, then some more lust, maybe with a side dish of covetousness.
When we are trying to break down a stronghold, one verse helps, two are better, but three are even better. Here are three that I really like:
Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Romans 6:16 ESV
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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.
Second, three are probably not enough, but Jesus had the verses memorized. Start by memorizing one and get to three as fast as possible. Then continue to add more.
If you really know all of the verses about lust by heart, you won’t think porn is stupid and destructive… you will know it.
Matthew 6:22 completely opened my eyes. I always ended up trading in my great life filled with light and joy for short-term fun which led to darkness, and depression. The more I quoted this verse, the more I knew what was really happening. The last few times I went back to porn, I literally said: I am ruining my week and month. I am going back to darkness. I will have destruction.
I was correct. That was what happened.
What are the two or three verses you have used to fight back against lust? Please help me out by picking the ones from this list. I am trying to figure out which great verses about quitting are not on this list. If you have a verse specifically about lust that is not on the list please let me know so I can add it.
Lastly, it is hard for us to exactly copy how Jesus lived. But, we certainly can copy His method for fighting temptation.
Some have studied verses about lust to fight lust. But only a few fight lust exactly the way Jesus did. When Jesus was tempted, He fought every temptation with a Bible verse. But… Jesus did not have any sin strongholds in his life, so satan bounced from one temptation to the next. But that is not how he attacks us. Lust, more lust, then some more lust, maybe with a side dish of covetousness.
When we are trying to break down a stronghold, one verse helps, two are better, but three are even better. Here are three that I really like:
Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Romans 6:16 ESV
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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.
Second, three are probably not enough, but Jesus had the verses memorized. Start by memorizing one and get to three as fast as possible. Then continue to add more.
If you really know all of the verses about lust by heart, you won’t think porn is stupid and destructive… you will know it.
Matthew 6:22 completely opened my eyes. I always ended up trading in my great life filled with light and joy for short-term fun which led to darkness, and depression. The more I quoted this verse, the more I knew what was really happening. The last few times I went back to porn, I literally said: I am ruining my week and month. I am going back to darkness. I will have destruction.
I was correct. That was what happened.
What are the two or three verses you have used to fight back against lust? Please help me out by picking the ones from this list. I am trying to figure out which great verses about quitting are not on this list. If you have a verse specifically about lust that is not on the list please let me know so I can add it.
Lastly, it is hard for us to exactly copy how Jesus lived. But, we certainly can copy His method for fighting temptation.
When we are trying to break down a stronghold, one verse helps, two are better, but three are even better. Here are three that I really like:
Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Romans 6:16 ESV
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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.
Second, three are probably not enough, but Jesus had the verses memorized. Start by memorizing one and get to three as fast as possible. Then continue to add more.
If you really know all of the verses about lust by heart, you won’t think porn is stupid and destructive… you will know it.
Matthew 6:22 completely opened my eyes. I always ended up trading in my great life filled with light and joy for short-term fun which led to darkness, and depression. The more I quoted this verse, the more I knew what was really happening. The last few times I went back to porn, I literally said: I am ruining my week and month. I am going back to darkness. I will have destruction.
I was correct. That was what happened.
What are the two or three verses you have used to fight back against lust? Please help me out by picking the ones from this list. I am trying to figure out which great verses about quitting are not on this list. If you have a verse specifically about lust that is not on the list please let me know so I can add it.
Lastly, it is hard for us to exactly copy how Jesus lived. But, we certainly can copy His method for fighting temptation.
Some have studied verses about lust to fight lust. But only a few fight lust exactly the way Jesus did. When Jesus was tempted, He fought every temptation with a Bible verse. But… Jesus did not have any sin strongholds in his life, so satan bounced from one temptation to the next. But that is not how he attacks us. Lust, more lust, then some more lust, maybe with a side dish of covetousness.
When we are trying to break down a stronghold, one verse helps, two are better, but three are even better. Here are three that I really like:
Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Romans 6:16 ESV
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
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.
Second, three are probably not enough, but Jesus had the verses memorized. Start by memorizing one and get to three as fast as possible. Then continue to add more.
If you really know all of the verses about lust by heart, you won’t think porn is stupid and destructive… you will know it.
Matthew 6:22 completely opened my eyes. I always ended up trading in my great life filled with light and joy for short-term fun which led to darkness, and depression. The more I quoted this verse, the more I knew what was really happening. The last few times I went back to porn, I literally said: I am ruining my week and month. I am going back to darkness. I will have destruction.
I was correct. That was what happened.
What are the two or three verses you have used to fight back against lust? Please help me out by picking the ones from this list. I am trying to figure out which great verses about quitting are not on this list. If you have a verse specifically about lust that is not on the list please let me know so I can add it.
Lastly, it is hard for us to exactly copy how Jesus lived. But, we certainly can copy His method for fighting temptation.
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If you fell this week, should you feel bad? I always did (before I quit). God seems far away, light has turned to darkness, and depression is just around the corner.
But... it is wise to assess your success in trying to change. Have you added habits of increased Bible-study, prayer, praise, and praying, “Father, keep me from temptation.” I have listed dozens of habits to work on over the last 77 days. If you have been working on them, in some ways, you are a success. The Bible says:
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness.”
We “become” a slave of who we choose to obey. If you were working on new habits, you were starting down the right road. You were a success at working on new habits. Obviously, there were holes in your armor (If you slipped), but was reading the Bible more the solution? Yes! Were these other habits the solution? Yes! But... “it” still had you, and you need more positive habits to break free for good.
Second, the more you go down that correct road, the easier it will be to someday quit. Sins are the weeds in the road, keep stamping on them.
Third, do you commit to being completely dedicated to doing things God's way?
The Bible says that's what we need to do.
Fourth, think about the deep wood. No trails. You move out there, and the more you walk down your new trail, the wider it gets. You are stamping out weeds and trees. Your work is gaining you progress. The more you work, the more success you have.
Today, choose to blaze a new trail.
What healthy habits will you work on today and this week?
But... it is wise to assess your success in trying to change. Have you added habits of increased Bible-study, prayer, praise, and praying, “Father, keep me from temptation.” I have listed dozens of habits to work on over the last 77 days. If you have been working on them, in some ways, you are a success. The Bible says:
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness.”
We “become” a slave of who we choose to obey. If you were working on new habits, you were starting down the right road. You were a success at working on new habits. Obviously, there were holes in your armor (If you slipped), but was reading the Bible more the solution? Yes! Were these other habits the solution? Yes! But... “it” still had you, and you need more positive habits to break free for good.
Second, the more you go down that correct road, the easier it will be to someday quit. Sins are the weeds in the road, keep stamping on them.
Third, do you commit to being completely dedicated to doing things God's way?
The Bible says that's what we need to do.
Fourth, think about the deep wood. No trails. You move out there, and the more you walk down your new trail, the wider it gets. You are stamping out weeds and trees. Your work is gaining you progress. The more you work, the more success you have.
Today, choose to blaze a new trail.
What healthy habits will you work on today and this week?
Habit 1
Practice rapid repentance for borderline things that lead to temptation. Ask for forgiveness, and tell God that you are sorry, and that you plan to start again. Make this a habit because if you always play with fire, you will get burned. Importance rating 8.8
Habit 2
Consider praying when discontent:
Father, help me to be content.” Importance rating 8.9
Habit 3
Always have 2-3 alternative activities planned. Things to do when temptation increases. Importance rating 9.0
Habit 4
Consider daily working on the habit of praying:
“Father, help me to turn from lust.” Importance rating 9.3
Habit 5
Consider always working on the reject and replace habit. Consider saying constantly, “I will replace thoughts of _______ by thinking about ___________.” Importance rating 9.3
Write down 2-3 things that are good replacement thoughts.
Habit 6
Consider daily working on the habit of praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
Pray far in advance of temptation, pray before temptation, pray when you see temptation coming your way.
When we keep praying it we are saying:
“God, you are on the throne. I want to do things Your way.” Importance rating 9.3
Habit 7
Make it a habit to fight temptation with Bible verses. Consider searching “Verses lust.”
What two verses will you save into your phone to fight temptation, or write on a note for fighting temptation?
1. ________
2. ________
If you need to quit fast, find the two harshest verses you can find, and pound them into you with every temptation. Importance rating 10
Finally, as always, feel free to print this out for your own personal use or for church use.
Practice rapid repentance for borderline things that lead to temptation. Ask for forgiveness, and tell God that you are sorry, and that you plan to start again. Make this a habit because if you always play with fire, you will get burned. Importance rating 8.8
Habit 2
Consider praying when discontent:
Father, help me to be content.” Importance rating 8.9
Habit 3
Always have 2-3 alternative activities planned. Things to do when temptation increases. Importance rating 9.0
Habit 4
Consider daily working on the habit of praying:
“Father, help me to turn from lust.” Importance rating 9.3
Habit 5
Consider always working on the reject and replace habit. Consider saying constantly, “I will replace thoughts of _______ by thinking about ___________.” Importance rating 9.3
Write down 2-3 things that are good replacement thoughts.
Habit 6
Consider daily working on the habit of praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
Pray far in advance of temptation, pray before temptation, pray when you see temptation coming your way.
When we keep praying it we are saying:
“God, you are on the throne. I want to do things Your way.” Importance rating 9.3
Habit 7
Make it a habit to fight temptation with Bible verses. Consider searching “Verses lust.”
What two verses will you save into your phone to fight temptation, or write on a note for fighting temptation?
1. ________
2. ________
If you need to quit fast, find the two harshest verses you can find, and pound them into you with every temptation. Importance rating 10
Finally, as always, feel free to print this out for your own personal use or for church use.
I place an object at the bottom of my bed as a reminder to do something I want to do.
Second, consider putting sticky notes or notes using tape on the device that causes you the most temptation. Use codes if needed: Pure eyes = PE, Turn from lust = TFL, run from sin = RFS.
Third, place a note in the place where you want the new behavior. Example: You want to have the new habit of Bible reading at 6:30 AM, or at 7:30 PM (Your first activity after work). Place your note where you will see it, place it by the activity you do most at that time, ie TV, computer, or any activity you do most at that time.
Next, consider notes to remind you of the positive habit you want to aquire. You can try sticky notes on your mirror, phone alarms, accountability partners, and notes on your desk or calendar. You can develop codes so that the whole world does not know what is going on: While working, I wrote TAFS a zillion times, it means – Turn aggressively from sin.
Consider wearing a spiritual rubber band, or a regular rubber band everywhere. Every time you look at it pray: "Father, keep me from temptation.
Fourth, make it a habit to quote scripture or pray key prayers while brushing your teeth. Use a note for a while.
Fifth, open a Google doc, or a Word file with the 2 habits you want to acquire listed on them and keep the reminder in the corner of your computer or device at all times.
Sixth, put a picture of the activity you want to learn on your phone/computer/device as the welcome screen. Fourth, consider putting notes in your phone and everywhere else to remind you to do these things. Have a “code” page in your quitting notebook. A note, or a sticky note with an R could be code for praying your quitting prayer, or a V could be code to remind you to fight temptation with your quitting verse, or an A could remind you to focus on trying alternative activities that may lower temptation.
James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Consider praying:
“Father, help me to submit to You.”
“Father, show me how to resist the devil.”
Finally, use as many practical things as you can to change. Then, use as many spiritual things as you can to change. Be obsessed with change. That is the key to changing.
Second, consider putting sticky notes or notes using tape on the device that causes you the most temptation. Use codes if needed: Pure eyes = PE, Turn from lust = TFL, run from sin = RFS.
Third, place a note in the place where you want the new behavior. Example: You want to have the new habit of Bible reading at 6:30 AM, or at 7:30 PM (Your first activity after work). Place your note where you will see it, place it by the activity you do most at that time, ie TV, computer, or any activity you do most at that time.
Next, consider notes to remind you of the positive habit you want to aquire. You can try sticky notes on your mirror, phone alarms, accountability partners, and notes on your desk or calendar. You can develop codes so that the whole world does not know what is going on: While working, I wrote TAFS a zillion times, it means – Turn aggressively from sin.
Consider wearing a spiritual rubber band, or a regular rubber band everywhere. Every time you look at it pray: "Father, keep me from temptation.
Fourth, make it a habit to quote scripture or pray key prayers while brushing your teeth. Use a note for a while.
Fifth, open a Google doc, or a Word file with the 2 habits you want to acquire listed on them and keep the reminder in the corner of your computer or device at all times.
Sixth, put a picture of the activity you want to learn on your phone/computer/device as the welcome screen. Fourth, consider putting notes in your phone and everywhere else to remind you to do these things. Have a “code” page in your quitting notebook. A note, or a sticky note with an R could be code for praying your quitting prayer, or a V could be code to remind you to fight temptation with your quitting verse, or an A could remind you to focus on trying alternative activities that may lower temptation.
James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Consider praying:
“Father, help me to submit to You.”
“Father, show me how to resist the devil.”
Finally, use as many practical things as you can to change. Then, use as many spiritual things as you can to change. Be obsessed with change. That is the key to changing.
Does porn lead to darkness? Lead to the feeling that God is far away? Lead to destruction?
Is our mind wrecked if we keep filling it with garbage? Does God know this, and is that why He is so against it?
A decent percentage of our joy depends on what we look at. Satan knows this and he will attack with his temptations for short-term fun. How do we react to his attack? We copy what Jesus did, that's how. Jesus' response to satans attack was to say, “Get thee behind me satan.” We can say that, and we can say, “You want my life filled with destruction for the week and the month. I am not buying what you are selling this time.”
Then, while we watch TV, satan will present his temptation and tell you to think, “I want this more than anything.” But instead, we quote to him:
Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” And you immediately run from the sin.
Then you are out and about on a hot summer day. Satan tells you how spectacular that woman is (who is not wearing close to enough clothing). But, following Jesus' example we quote to him:
Colossians 3:5 ESV Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Put to death. Ouch. I need to do that.
Idolatry... lust... I hope I am not doing that.
Websters say idolatry is an immoderate attachment or devotion to something. Noooooooo.
I don't think staring is a good idea anymore. It leads to really bad things.
Is our mind wrecked if we keep filling it with garbage? Does God know this, and is that why He is so against it?
A decent percentage of our joy depends on what we look at. Satan knows this and he will attack with his temptations for short-term fun. How do we react to his attack? We copy what Jesus did, that's how. Jesus' response to satans attack was to say, “Get thee behind me satan.” We can say that, and we can say, “You want my life filled with destruction for the week and the month. I am not buying what you are selling this time.”
Then, while we watch TV, satan will present his temptation and tell you to think, “I want this more than anything.” But instead, we quote to him:
Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” And you immediately run from the sin.
Then you are out and about on a hot summer day. Satan tells you how spectacular that woman is (who is not wearing close to enough clothing). But, following Jesus' example we quote to him:
Colossians 3:5 ESV Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Put to death. Ouch. I need to do that.
Idolatry... lust... I hope I am not doing that.
Websters say idolatry is an immoderate attachment or devotion to something. Noooooooo.
I don't think staring is a good idea anymore. It leads to really bad things.
If you can't quit, consider printing out Saturday's article and keeping it on your lap until the page wears out.
Quitting is like learning the violin. It is sort of impossible, unless you focus, keep at it, always think about improving your technique, always look to learn more, always try to put new habits into action.
That article gives 7 habits to work on. What if in 7 months, you have acquired these 7 habits? What if in 7 months, you have not quite acquired these habits, but you have worked on them over 100 times?
Once you have acquired enough habits, you will soon quit.
Second, Sunday's article is about how to gain habits faster. Not a bad printout to wear out as well.
Third, what if some of the habits on that list are not as important for you as other habits? Other than habit #7, it is okay to substitute other habits into your top 7 list. In fact, it is smart to constantly work on knowing which habits you want to work on.
Fourth, every time you choose to fight habits, you are turning from darkness and turning on the Light.
Fifth, I wrote that I prayed:
“Father, help me to turn from lust,” 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.
Why am I telling you what I did? Because, if you put in the work (plus repent), you will make great progress.
Quitting is like learning the violin. It is sort of impossible, unless you focus, keep at it, always think about improving your technique, always look to learn more, always try to put new habits into action.
That article gives 7 habits to work on. What if in 7 months, you have acquired these 7 habits? What if in 7 months, you have not quite acquired these habits, but you have worked on them over 100 times?
Once you have acquired enough habits, you will soon quit.
Second, Sunday's article is about how to gain habits faster. Not a bad printout to wear out as well.
Third, what if some of the habits on that list are not as important for you as other habits? Other than habit #7, it is okay to substitute other habits into your top 7 list. In fact, it is smart to constantly work on knowing which habits you want to work on.
Fourth, every time you choose to fight habits, you are turning from darkness and turning on the Light.
Fifth, I wrote that I prayed:
“Father, help me to turn from lust,” 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.
Why am I telling you what I did? Because, if you put in the work (plus repent), you will make great progress.
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 great verse. See temptation as, “Seeing the evil.” See temptation as your light disappearing and your depression entering.
People who have been clean for a while 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 to be content.”
“For drinking, or anything else: “Lead me not into temptation." Fill me with Your love.”
A top 5 habit is to ALWAYS REPLACE TEMPTING THOUGHTS WITH HEALTHY THOUGHTS.
What are your healthy thoughts/prayers?
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.
A great verse. See temptation as, “Seeing the evil.” See temptation as your light disappearing and your depression entering.
People who have been clean for a while 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 to be content.”
“For drinking, or anything else: “Lead me not into temptation." Fill me with Your love.”
A top 5 habit is to ALWAYS REPLACE TEMPTING THOUGHTS WITH HEALTHY THOUGHTS.
What are your healthy thoughts/prayers?
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.
We need to find joy right where we are. If we blame people, situations, jobs, or locations for our issues, we will keep having excuses forever.
My goal is to be right with God today and to have joy today, this week, month, and year.
Second, I have some huge problems this week. I want changes, I want new locations, new people, new everything.
The problem is, if I am not doing what God wants me to do where I am, will I ever find joy in the fantasy of something new?
Third, everyone who struggles with a habit, struggles with fantasies about that habit.
The gambler dreams of winning the big one, the drug person dreams of the best high ever, or the best party ever. The lust/sex/porn person dreams about... Well, we know their fantasy.
When these thoughts start, immediately think – No, No, NO.
We must attack these thoughts instantly. Consider working constantly on praying:
“Father, help me to turn from fantasies.”
Fourth, assume you are making progress praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
But, you allow yourself to daydream about ______. It may be a sinful fantasy, or it just may be borderline.
Satan is the master of “It's not so bad.” “It's not quite sin yet.” That is what he told Adam and Eve. Then they were kicked out of paradise after listening to him.
**Finally, I am making a huge commitment to going to war with fantasies. I am determined to make the “**Turn from fantasies prayer a habit.”
Why? Because I am determined to make it a habit to pray:
“Father, show me Your will.”
If satan can keep me daydreaming about fantasies, I will struggle. I will rarely do His will.
Finally, I am going to war with fantasies. If I keep going to war with it, temptations will start to decrease, and I think my joy will increase even more.
My goal is to be right with God today and to have joy today, this week, month, and year.
Second, I have some huge problems this week. I want changes, I want new locations, new people, new everything.
The problem is, if I am not doing what God wants me to do where I am, will I ever find joy in the fantasy of something new?
Third, everyone who struggles with a habit, struggles with fantasies about that habit.
The gambler dreams of winning the big one, the drug person dreams of the best high ever, or the best party ever. The lust/sex/porn person dreams about... Well, we know their fantasy.
When these thoughts start, immediately think – No, No, NO.
We must attack these thoughts instantly. Consider working constantly on praying:
“Father, help me to turn from fantasies.”
Fourth, assume you are making progress praying:
“Father, keep me from temptation.”
But, you allow yourself to daydream about ______. It may be a sinful fantasy, or it just may be borderline.
Satan is the master of “It's not so bad.” “It's not quite sin yet.” That is what he told Adam and Eve. Then they were kicked out of paradise after listening to him.
**Finally, I am making a huge commitment to going to war with fantasies. I am determined to make the “**Turn from fantasies prayer a habit.”
Why? Because I am determined to make it a habit to pray:
“Father, show me Your will.”
If satan can keep me daydreaming about fantasies, I will struggle. I will rarely do His will.
Finally, I am going to war with fantasies. If I keep going to war with it, temptations will start to decrease, and I think my joy will increase even more.
As we read “verses lust,” to stop temptation, we realize that God hates lust. If I say to boycott a top movie star because she shows way too much, people will have a cow. 6 years ago, it was unacceptable to me to avoid a star who completely crossed the line. Why? Because her beauty and sexuality were hugely important to me.
God's verses about lust were less important than my pleasure. Consider praying:
“Father, take away my love of wrongful pleasure, and help me to hate lust.”
If you turn instantly from lust and then ban watching that movie/TV star (for completely crossing the line), you may learn something. #1 You may learn a top 5 technique for avoiding falling. #2 You may learn that God condemns lust because it keeps us from love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. #3 You may learn that wrongful behavior from the past did not satisfy you. If we watch TV or look at our phones in a Godly way, it will satisfy us “more,” and we will avoid the destruction that wrong scenes cause. #4 You may learn that you now can pray to hate lust. God is back to being on the throne.
Finally, this is a war. Those who win the war will work more on quitting. Those who win the war will trust God more. He says, “Life is better without lust.” Believe Him, then consider getting busy helping others.
God's verses about lust were less important than my pleasure. Consider praying:
“Father, take away my love of wrongful pleasure, and help me to hate lust.”
If you turn instantly from lust and then ban watching that movie/TV star (for completely crossing the line), you may learn something. #1 You may learn a top 5 technique for avoiding falling. #2 You may learn that God condemns lust because it keeps us from love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. #3 You may learn that wrongful behavior from the past did not satisfy you. If we watch TV or look at our phones in a Godly way, it will satisfy us “more,” and we will avoid the destruction that wrong scenes cause. #4 You may learn that you now can pray to hate lust. God is back to being on the throne.
Finally, this is a war. Those who win the war will work more on quitting. Those who win the war will trust God more. He says, “Life is better without lust.” Believe Him, then consider getting busy helping others.