THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

Quitting addiction is like building a pyramid. We add great daily habits to form a strong foundation. Then we build higher and higher with more and more good habits. Finally, we add one last great habit at the top, and we quit for good.

Consider praying: “Father, show me what habits I need to have every day.”

Obviously, this site has ideas for dozens of habits. So, if you study and pray, Almighty God might just start showing you a clearer path.

Consider building your pyramid with daily habits. When you keep at it, someday you will only be one habit away from the top.

Second, the challenge is remembering to do these new habits. You can try sticky notes on your mirror, phone alarms, accountability partners, 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.

Third, there is power in “To Do.” Doing everything we know to quit, then asking the Almighty what He wants you to do to quit = increased power. Asking the Almighty what your purpose in life is = increased power. Turning aggressively from sin = increased power in your life.

Fourth, consider reading a Proverb daily. Building a great pyramid is wisdom. Proverbs is the wisdom chapter. Consider reading it, praying over it, and doing what it says!

Fifth, what habits “have to be” in the base of your pyramid? Consider spending 5 minutes daily in prayer asking God this very question. Then consider starting a daily work page in your quitting notebook. It is vital that you work on certain habits daily. Note: Many want to see instant progress, but I want to see that you are putting in the work, that you are systematically adding healthy activities, that you are understanding that falling “Rarely means that the activity for quitting was flawed. Falling means you are not yet ready to quit.” If you fall, spend time praying over your list (pyramid) of activities. God may show you that your list is good, but you need to add a few more habits. God may show you that one thing on your list is not vital for you, and that you need to pound specific Bible verses more.

Always work on becoming an “Expert” in knowing which techniques to work on to quit. Always pray about it. Always think about it. Always work on your list of techniques. Always study that list when you are working on quitting.

Lastly, consider reading quitting articles every day with a piece of paper with a triangle on it. Write “Daily Habits” at the bottom of the triangle. As you study, put in “new” daily habits close to the base of your pyramid if they seem great for your situation.

Over the next 30 days, see if you can “Do” the vital daily habits from the base of your pyramid every day. Then at some point, you will be just one new habit away from quitting.

 

[Gordon 7]

Yesterday, I woke up having had trouble sleeping, I felt rotten, and then my car would not start.

Years ago, I would have gone back to my main habit. Yesterday, I drowned my sorrows with online speed chess, another time consuming habit (I struggle to stop once I start) that I want to break.

How should we handle bad things happening?

First, stop! Don't run to an activity. Take 5 or 10 minutes to read a bit of scripture, and to ask God to calm you down.

Why is this important? Because satan will be right there telling you exactly what you should do. Once you start reading your Bible, he will be off to harass the next person.

Second, once you are calm, consider taking a few minutes praying:

“Father, how do you want me to handle this mess?”

Third, Jesus will sometimes solve the problem for you, but usually... He will “Go through the problem solving with you. Helping you through it.”

But I want Him to solve the problem.

Why did He not just solve my problems?

Because, a lot of people have worse problems than I do. If I don't go “Through the problem,” how can I help anyone else?

James says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Okay, I didn't “Count it all joy,” I had a fit.

Since I had a fit, I played chess, and I did not finish my last article yesterday. Since I did not finish my last article, I reaped frustration instead of joy.

Let's continue with the next verse to see what else I missed yesterday:

“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Ouch!

Does James say that if we count it all joy and stay steadfast when life runs us over, that the end result will be that we “May be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing?”

That sounds better than my day yesterday.

Fourth, when life punches you in the face, “Count it all joy.”

To count it all joy, first consider repeating:

“I will count this all joy,” a few times.

Then stay steadfast and consider doing some of the steps from above.

Finally, bad things happening was the #1 thing that made me fall. If you are like that, feel free to print this out for your personal or church use.

 

[Gordon 7]

Satan says that indulgence gives us freedom. Proverbs says that self-control gives us freedom. It says: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.”

We increase self-control by removing and avoiding temptations. Consider writing down 3 ways to remove or avoid temptations.

1. _____________

2. _____________

3. _____________

If you work on the habit of removing and avoiding temptations daily, you will be a solid step closer to quitting.

Proverbs says: “By the fear of the Lord, people depart from evil.” Consider praying:

“Father, show me how fearing you will help me quit.”

Second, consider searching, “Verses, fear of the Lord.” Then read the verses from Open Bible. Studying these verses, praying over these verses, and meditating over theses verses are great for quitting.

Third, what is your #1 reason for quitting?

Consider repeating your #1 reason 10 times daily. With each repetition, say how you will achieve that goal. Example:

Quote # 1: I will quit for my daughter Sally. I will remove tempting thoughts and replace them with spiritual thoughts so that I can quit.

Quote # 2: I will quit for my daughter. I will remove and avoid physical temptations so that I can quit.

Quote # 3: I will quit for my daughter. I will pound out my habit with specific Bible verses about it so that I can quit.

Quote # 4: I will quit for my daughter Sally. I will set an alarm on my phone for every 10 minutes and I will pray 3 quitting prayers every time it goes off.

Quote # 5: I will quit for my daughter. Every day I will increase the time I spend working on quitting by an additional 5 minutes. She is worth it.

Fourth, if you don't have one good reason for quitting... you should. Consider reading the above Proverb about how we should fear the Lord again.

Finally, satan will tempt you just like he tempted Adam and Eve. They did not say the right thing to him. They lost a lot because they were not prepared.

When tempted, have something prepared to say to him. It really helps with temptation.

 

[Gordon 7]

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Consider increasing your commitment to keeping your eyes clean. Think about that commitment often. EC = eyes clean. If you are bored at work or at school, write EC. Are we mocking God when we try to see how much looking we can get away with? Today, consider setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to say every hour:

“Father, help me to turn from lust.”

“Father, I will turn, and then I will praise You.”

Work daily on the turn from lust habit every day this year!

Background: (David used praise and thanksgiving often in prayer and in everyday life. Paul recommended and practiced praising God and giving thanks during prayer.)

Second, David did a lot of prayer and praising before Bathsheba. Then he awkwardly mocked God (with eyes unclean) with his lust. Then he reaped what he sowed.

Instead of copying him, say, “I praise you Lord with eyes clean.” Now I am sowing to please the Spirit.

Third, consider praying regularly for God to fill you with the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

When I pray to be filled with the fruits of the Spirit, I am sowing to please the Spirit.

What three Godly things will you make a commitment to thinking about consistently this week?

Fourth, use a focus on the harvest in verse nine as one of the secrets to finding joy. You are special, and you have a special skill that God can use to change the world.

Third, consider memorizing Galatians 6:7-9.

Finally, the Bible predicts the future when we “Sow to the flesh,” and when we “Sow to the Spirit.” Now you can predict it also.

 

[Gordon 7]

One issue that plagues people new to quitting is that they want to think about their habit and then not do it. The porn person wants to look at bikini girls, the gambler just wants to think about what the smart bet would be on the Super Bowl. The Bible says to “Take every thought captive.” Every one, every single one that is about your habit. 100% of them.

Second, every person quitting should have three “Replacement thoughts” to use when tempting thoughts enter. You can find dozens of replacement thoughts from old articles. Find three that really speak to you.

1. ____________

2. ____________

3. ____________

Example: Gambling has wrecked you, and you want to quit. You think: “Seattle is a lock to win the Super Bowl.” That is destructive thinking, and you must replace it. Consider saying:

“No! Then praying:

“Father, lead me not into temptation.”

Third, you think: “I am bored and I want to ___________.” Consider saying:

“No! Then praying:

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

Fourth, sin leads to sin. Example: You are quitting drugs, and something tempting pops up on your phone. You think: “Porn sounds interesting.” Consider saying:

No! Then praying:

“Father, help me to turn-from-lust.”

Fifth, we are most often tempted with our eyes or our ears. We must “Guard” our eyes and ears. If you happen upon something that is risky, consider praying:

“Father, should I stop watching/listening to this?”

Now I know. Crazy people say God talks to them all the time. They have vivid imaginations. But, He is very serious about sin. Very serious about helping you in fighting sin, and quitting sin. Very serious about you someday doing His will.

If you are repentant before God and sincere, He will guide you in these matters.

James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

It is hard work to take every thought captive. But, 85% of our tempting thoughts are from satan. Notice that when you are working hard at this, at some point your tempting thoughts start to be less and less. Well... that is a sign that the devil is fleeing from you. That is good.

 

[Gordon 7]

The one day everybody should stop is on the Sabbath. That is one day where we should practice worshiping God, praising God, and resting.

I am bad at stopping, and I am bad at contentment. Consider praying:

“Father, lead me not into temptation, and help me to be content.”

I have been setting an alarm on my phone for every 9 minutes to remind me to pray my prayers. I need to make this one a priority.

Second, yes we are stopping the main habit, but I am talking about stopping the constant adrenaline/dopamine surge that we are addicted to. Example: One is quitting porn so they decide to play video games instead. Four hours later, they are fried from games, and in that exhausted state, they need to fight temptation.

Instead, set your phone alarm to every 10 minutes. Pray your quitting prayers faithfully during your alternate activity, and plan “Exactly when you will quit the alternate activity.”

Psalm says: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Before your alternate activity, pause and spend 2 minutes being still before God. After your alternate activity, pause and spend 2 minutes being still before God.

Third, consider an alternate activity where you can practice peace.

1. Take a hot bath or shower
2. Stretch out your body, focusing on the neck, shoulders, and legs
3. Do a crossword puzzle
4. Cuddle a pet if you have one
5. Sing your favorite song
6. Light a candle and watch the flame for a few minutes
7. Write down three small things you're still grateful for
8. Look through old photos

Romans 8:6 ESV For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

When I praise the Lord for a few minutes, I am setting my mind on the Spirit which leads to peace.

Fourth, set a high value on peace. Look forward to ending high adrenaline activities so that you can do peaceful ones. Ones that allow you to be still and know that He is God.

Fifth, I am going to live a more peaceful lifestyle. Maybe it will help me sleep for a change. It will certainly bring me closer to God.

Finally, honor the sabbath. Rest, and find relaxing things to do. Think about learning peaceful habits. Pray about contentment. When we are peaceful and content, we fight habits way better.

 

[Gordon 7]

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

Scripture: Search “verses lust.” Fill in the blank with the temptation. Then read these verses and pray over them until temptation stops. It is wise to print these verses out so that you can get to them immediately when temptation rises.

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 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. ______________

Third, God promises "Lasting joy" versus the habits short-term pleasure with destruction added. Consider praying:

"Father, I am determined to live Your way. Help me to fight, and fill me with Your joy."

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]

About 30 days ago, I quit my 3rd long-term habit. It is not some great sinful thing, but it is bad for my purpose. Okay, I quit for 10 days and relapsed. What happened?

I followed my own advice. I printed about a page of key Bible verses about the habit I was quitting. On day one, I studied these verses. I was completely free, well... for the first week. Then on day 10, life was terrible, and I went running right back to it.

What went wrong?

I assumed that studying my verses for a day or two would annihilate a habit I have had for many decades. Wrong.

Now I am quitting again. My new plan is to read my page of key verses daily. If temptation rises up, to read them yet again.

Second, to find key verses, do a Google search “Verses _______.” Fill in the blank with your habit, then find the Open Bible verses. Fill up a page with those verses.

Third, the problem is, this habit is part of me. It is who I am. How can I live without it? Do I want to live without it?

The truth is, satan is lying again. The habit is not “Part of me.” If Jesus Christ gets all of me, I will increase, and increase in joy.

Lie #2. It is not “Who I am.” It is “Who I was.”

2nd Corinthians reads: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Lie #3 “How can I live without it?” The Bible says that the “Wages of sin is death.” Even if the habit is not sin, if we do it in excess, it becomes sin. If we can't stop doing it when we need to stop doing it, it becomes sin.

What does “The “Wages of sin is death” mean?

It means that something partially dies or begins to die when we go back to our habit. Yet I honestly wrote above, how can I live without it? How can I live without something partially dying every day of my life? Satan has me fooled. Wait! Satan had me fooled. Today, I just wrote at the top of my scripture printout:

“Something partially dies every time I go back.”

Fourth, my last honest statement above was:

“Do I want to live without it?”

Well... now that satan is no longer fooling me, I do want to live without it. Very much so.

Finally, if you are committed to reading your list of quitting verses daily, consider writing “Committed” in the reply today. I won't get fooled again.

 

[Gordon 7]

Exodus 34:5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”


Not much chance you will hear these verses in church. God forgives and “By no means clearing the guilty.”


Everyone should memorize verse 7.


Second, many won't print out verses lust to study and prayer over them daily. Every person who knows these verses has “Everything they need for quitting.”


If you don't study them you really should memorize verse 7.


Finally, it's my birthday. A great excuse for a short article.




Exodus 34:5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”


Not much chance you will hear these verses in church. God forgives and “By no means clearing the guilty.”


Everyone should memorize verse 7.


Second, many won't print out verses lust to study and prayer over them daily. Every person who knows these verses has “Everything they need for quitting.”


If you don't study them you really should memorize verse 7.


Finally, it's my birthday. A great excuse for a short article.