THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN

I think that God had Eve eat an apple as the first sin on purpose. It was a minor sin, not like murder or rape. But I think He wanted it to be a minor sin to show that two huge problems with sin are separation from God, and a lack of faith that God's way is best.

So, if we want to return to paradise, we need to believe that “All sin” will ruin our return. And... we will fail in our quest to stamp out all sin, but if we make a dedicated quest to go to war with sin, we will start to make progress.

The more we make progress, the more the light comes on that God's way is best. There is one thing I have noticed. The people on this site that work the hardest are the people that have hundreds of clean days in. Why? The light is coming on that God's way is best. Secondly, their life is now way better than it was before, and they want to keep it that way.

Adam and Eve needed to believe God. They didn't. They chose an apple over paradise.

Do we need to be told that every sin ruins our life? Eating an apple ruined theirs.

Pray:” Father, show me the consequences of my sin.” Many reading this want to believe but...

The Bible says faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of the Lord. Read your Bible and watch Youtube sermons on how to quit sin habits. Take notes and work on the changes you read and hear about, and your faith will grow.

Lastly, people that spend the most time working on their addiction every day, succeed the most on average. And people who go to war with sin the most, succeed the most in returning to the Garden of Eden.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
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

Well-Known Member
Anthony Zarella said on Quora regarding Adam and Eve:
"We are told what the fruit was—”knowledge of good and evil”. Specifically, having their own ideas about what is “good” and what is “evil” rather than trusting in God’s wisdom and moral law.

That was the Original Sin—and in a way, it’s the only sin. Each and every sin is a human being saying, “God, you say this is bad… but I know better,” just as the Serpent urged Eve to do.”

I talked to someone this week and said: We can increase our pleasure as well as our joy if we really live the way Jesus wants us to live. He disagreed. He is sure he knows better than God because that is his experience.

If we roll in the mud, then repent, then roll in the mud again, we will lose our joy. If we live an on fire life like Paul from the Bible did, we will gain our joy, increase our pleasure, excitement, and fulfillment.

Psalm 16 says: KJ21 “Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Memorize that sentence: “At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Maybe 94% of people here may still believe that their addictions pleasure is better than anything God can give them. If we believe that, we are saying: “God, you say this is bad… but I know better,” just as the Serpent urged Eve to do.”

Sin's pleasure is always short-term, it always leads to destruction, and depression in the long term.

Secondly, we can increase our joy with a simple war on sin. But how do we experience an increase in pleasure? That can only happen when we have a fire for Christ. When we present our body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable before Christ. When we fanatically fill our journal with tips on quitting and then study them every day. When we become determined to let Christ shine through us to start to be the answer to the world's problems.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV says "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." The KJV says that “The love of money is the root of all evil. Which one is right. The KJV may say exactly what the Greek (See page bottom) says, so “if” it is right, why is it written that way.

Anyone can name a sin that has nothing to do with money. So that can't be it. The reason for the wording has to be something else. So why did God write it that way? With the NIV version, it is like God is emphasizing this sin to the power of 5 or 10 – saying money messes up a lot of things. But with the KJV the sin is emphasized to the power of 30 or 50 – it messes up everything.

But since some sins do not involve money, what does this mean. My guess is, it means that over the course of our life, the love of money is a consistent problem. And no matter how much God emphasizes the love of money in this verse. We still don't understand how serious the problem is.

In my life of falling back to my addiction, money was a huge reason 90% of the time. For a few of you, it may not have been a factor. But for most of us, it was, it is, and it will always be that way unless we go to war with this huge sin.

Despite the fact that I spread the Gospel almost every day, I still struggle with greed, even though I am retired. Satan uses my “love” of increase against me. That sinful love made me fall many times. Then last year I realized that I had a problem with this sin. I began to pray: “Father, take away my spirit of greed and help me to care about souls.” That prayer and many more like it changed my life.

I had gone to war with virtually all the other sins and didn't realize the crippling effect greed was having on me. Now I am “starting” to understand.

Interestingly, my war against greed intensified 500% exactly 131 days ago. Before that day I never had joy, I never really felt like I was fulfilling my full God-given purpose. Now I have joy and am starting to see a purpose for my life.

But... Please don't see conquering one sin as the key to it all. We need to go to war with all sin. But, don't make my mistake of fighting other sins and allowing this one to keep you from a great life.



Greek background:


the root”

ῥίζα

A "root" (literally or figuratively)




of all”

πάντων

All, any, every, the whole




evil:”

κακῶν

Worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious



Picking one version versus the other is not the point. Trying to understand how much God wants this verse emphasized may be the point.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
1 Corinthians 6:13
“The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

When this was written 2000 years ago porn was very weak as compared to today's version. The physical, sexual act got more emphasis. Today... The mind is being polluted by porn and lust. The mind is part of the body. So to understand this verse for porn, substitute the word body with the word mind: “The mind, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the mind.”

When our mind is clean we should be able to pray for a long block of time, and have it be the highlight of our day. The mind is meant for the Lord. When we keep it clean, prayer will be a fantastic high point to us. It will inspire us, lift us up, and fill us with light.

When we pray God will start to show us what “to do.” God will start to show us the path we need to be on.

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

Porn and lust are prostitutes in our mind. Christians should say and pray ever hour – Never!

16
Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[a]

We think, the physical act is worse since the results can affect one for decades. Okay, maybe 1% worse, but porn unites us mentally with hundreds or thousands of prostitutes.

17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[b]

We become united with the Lord by studying and praying over these verses, no matter how hard it is. We become united with the Lord by daily Bible study. By full repentance, then prayer.

18 Flee from sexual immorality.

Lust is a sin against the mind. To keep your mind filled with light, turn aggressively from lust. Pray: “Father, help me to flee from lust, I commit my mind to you.”

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.”

Our minds are temples of the Holy Spirit as well. The KJV of the Bible says to “Fear God,” ten times. Our lust is showing our lack of fear and lack of respect. Pray, “Father, help me to fear You.” Proverbs says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Finally, this article is harsh. But it must be read at the same time as other articles which talk about the great promises to those who obey. Promises of the start of purpose and joy for those who will follow Christ. The promise of Jesus' love flooding into our lives at times when we deserved it the least.

God rarely starts with perfect people for His work. But He often starts with messed up people who are sincere, repentant, and willing to obey and follow Him. No matter what our condition is today, He is waiting for us, and He wants to replace our lust with the Holy Spirit. Then in that condition, we will start to overcome.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
David was tempted with lust. He gave in to it. Joseph was tempted and he fled from temptation. Why? Joseph knew he wanted to keep the Holy Spirit in him because he kept his mind focused on Jesus.

Results: We know David lost his son as a result of his adultery plus murder. But he also lost the Holy Spirit.

Samson did the same thing: Judges 16:20 (NASB)
Delilah said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him


One of the saddest verses in the Bible, Samson did not know … the Lord had left him !! And with the Lord departed, his strength departed and he was captured.

Later David fully repented. He wrote this shortly thereafter: Psalm 51:11 (NASB, NLT)
Do not cast me away from Your presence. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me

In these passages, we see that David has learned what Joseph already knew. The sin was a huge problem, but losing the presence of the Lord was a complete disaster. We look at Joseph as someone who was “Prepared” for temptation. He was prepared, but I believe he knew that the last thing in life he wanted to lose was the presence of the Lord.

Secondly, we need to live our lives correctly so that we experience the awesome presence of the Lord. Then, we need to learn from Joseph – the last thing in life that we want to lose is the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in us we are productive, vibrant, energetic, and filled with joy and purpose.

Later in life, David learned what Joseph knew: One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (AMP)

Thirdly, David continues with Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Finally, David at first undervalued the Holy Spirit, but later repented and fully valued the Holy Spirit. Joseph fully valued the Holy Spirit's presence. And he lived his life without the disasters that David received. But... David had maybe the greatest passion for the Lord (in the end) that anyone ever had in the history of the world.

In conclusion, study David and Joseph. Learn from both, and always value the Holy Spirit as a priority.

Parts of this article were taken from laymanointing. For the full article: https://laymanointing.wordpress.com...your-holy-spirit-from-me-how-was-he-restored/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Yesterday, we saw how sin caused David to lose the presence of the Lord. Today, let's examine how it happened. David looked at temptation, then stared with lust, then committed adultery, then murder. But at what point did he lose the presence of the Lord?

My guess is that he lost it when he stared with lust. Note, I have stared for a second or two a couple of times during my run... but then, with horror, I repent, realizing that I have already fallen, already sinned, and am flying 100 mph down a slippery slope towards destruction.

Full repentance when we slip up for a second may mean – turning the TV off for 20 minutes, humbly asking for forgiveness, reading the Bible, praying, and then watching something that has no risk.

Wow, all this for one second of lust? Ask Joseph what he thinks? He fled instantly. Ask David what he thinks after Nathan the prophet told him his fate! One second really? That is only slightly worse than Eve taking a bite out of the Apple. Oh... I guess that merely ruined her life.

Joseph believed the Bible, he believed God, he trusted that God's way is best, he believed that his life would be way better if he lived the way God wanted him to live.

Pray David's prayer: “Do not cast me away from Your presence. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

Secondly, go to war with sin and pray this prayer 500 times this week. Doing that will help us to know what Joseph knew! This prayer will help us learn what David learned. This focus will help us believe the Bible. Help us believe like Joseph that our lives will be way better if we live the way God wants us to live.

Pray: “Father, help me to show my full respect for you through my obedience.”

Pray: “Father, help me to flee instantly from sin just like Joseph did.” You just can't pray that too much!

Lastly, increase the amount of time you spend fighting addiction. It is the first step towards changing you so that you can start changing the world around you.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Daniel from the Bible was like Joseph – he was determined to fight sin always.

Got questions at iblp said: “However, you must choose to walk in that victory. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). Every believer needs to make that decision as well. God promises, If from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).”

Daniel was determined to think right and live right. To increase your determination to do that, set an alarm every hour and say, “My plan is to think right and live right today.”

When you get home from work or school, be like Daniel – seek the Lord in prayer.


Iblp continues: “In the war against impure thoughts, you may lose some battles. These losses should only increase your determination to win the war. If you expect to win the war without ever losing a battle, you will become discouraged.

God can redeem each defeat by revealing the root cause of each failure. Ask Him for wisdom and help as you discern the root causes of your impure thoughts and actions.

Keep these truths in mind:

  • You will never face a temptation that is impossible to overcome. (See I Corinthians 10:13.)

    The Bible says that “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). One aspect of having a proper fear of the Lord is a moment-by-moment awareness that God is watching and weighing every one of our words, thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
A sincere Christian cannot enjoy sensual thoughts unless he temporarily blots the presence of a Holy God from his consciousness. If you walk in the fear of the Lord and consequently realize that God is evaluating every one of your thoughts (and He is), it will help you quickly reject impure thoughts.”

  • Memorize Proverbs 16:6 “By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil”

    Then pray: “Father, help me to fear You so that I can depart from evil.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Love is why many of us are saved. We accepted Christ and felt His awesome love and we believed. Furthermore, Christ died on the cross for us because He loved us so much.

1 John 3 talks about obedience and love

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

Many of you are tired of me saying we should go to war with all sin. But would I say it more often if I really understood First John 3?

My favorite book about quitting, “What the Bible Says About Addiction,” said the following regarding this passage:

“Another passage that to me says “Continue in sin and really bad things will happen.” Why is God so ticked off about sin? Is it the destruction it causes that raises His ire? Is it the demons that sin drags into your life that upsets Him? Is it wrecked relationships that sin causes that give Him pause? Wrecked health, wrecked wealth, wrecked goals, wrecked future or is it wrecked everything?

Key Point: “The reason God hates sin is because it wrecks everything.”

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

The Bible says - if we don't love others (especially Christians) we are not of God.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

God keeps saying, “We should love one another.”

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

I will have more on this tomorrow, but we need more obedience and more love.

Pray: “Father, fill me with your love, and help me to focus on obedience.”

I plan to pray this prayer several thousand times. Remember: Every time we repeat a prayer it must be with full repentance, sincerity, and a full desire to change. Praying this prayer is a plea to God for help, and it reminds me of my plan, focus, and dedication to doing things God's way.

Lastly, tomorrow we will talk about the awesome reward that is given for those who focus on doing things God's way.

What the Bible Says About Addiction link https://www.amazon.com/WHAT-BIBLE-SAYS-ABOUT-ADDICTION-ebook/dp/B019ECLVY8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=30KOQ8MAR8125&keywords=what+the+bible+says+about+addiction&qid=1645045568&sprefix=what+the+bibles+says+about+addiction,aps,223&sr=8-2
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
This morning I woke up totally frustrated. Life's problems were dominating my mind again. I began to pray and nothing changed. I prayed more earnestly and nothing changed. Then I realized that satan was not leaving easily. The Bible says: “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. “

Then I upped the ante, I started praising God. I praised Him for all the good that I have. I praised Him for all of the great that he is. This made me feel a lot better, but I still felt like satan was right there fighting some more. Still trying to fill my head with garbage.

So I brought out the big gun. Satan hates the cross, he was defeated at the cross. I thanked Jesus for his cross. I pictured Him on the cross. I plead with Him to cover me with His blood that He shed on the cross. Finally, peace descended on me, my mind was clear again. Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Next, we need to learn how to think better. Read the “Battlefield of the Mind.” This book will help you learn how to think in a positive Godly manner.

Lastly, we can't allow anger, frustration, fear, or anything else disruptive to rule our minds. We need to fight back with scripture in two ways. Firstly, read and reread, specific verses that address our main issue, and secondly, read scriptures just to get the Word of God in us. Memorize this fact: “Your meditation is your medication.” Meditate on the Word. Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Tip: Put a rubber band on your wrist. Every time you have a lustful thought, snap it and praise the Lord.

It takes 66 days on average to form a new habit. If you are struggling, you need to know which new habits will work... Even though you are still struggling. For example: After 264 days of out of control porn, you come here and decide to read the top 60 verses for quitting every day. It works on day one, but on day 2 you only get through 3 verses before you fall again.

The problem here is that if that did not work, then nothing is likely to work on that day. But we need to realize that this was how Jesus fought temptation. It works and it will work for you, but you have to get your triggers under control as well as many other things simultaneously.

So you try again, you take a bunch of notes from articles, you try what they say, you focus on turning aggressively from sin and you start reading the top 60 verses every day again. Then your success begins to build.

I wrote my top 10 tips for quitting so that people would know exactly what tips that I believe eventually will work.

Secondly, if you are tempted to fall, never say, “This is the last time.” Instead say, “I am rebelling, and there will be a lot of destruction because of it.” Satan wants you to lie about what is going on. Be honest.

Or better yet say: If I fight sin aggressively, the Holy Spirit mightily fills me. And the Holy Spirit is a mighty warrior, and a great conqueror and He is starting to fill me and empower me to overcome and to do good works.

Thirdly, activities are a key to quitting addiction. When we are doing something, we don't give the devil time to exaggerate the pleasures that tempt us. And when those activities are good works, they become one of the keys to quitting addiction.

If we are not actively doing right, then it becomes very easy for the devil to get us to do wrong.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
My dad quoted Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," quite a bit. And while no one achieves perfection, he actually was quite righteous. Why? Because the Word was in him. He knew the Bible (he was a pastor).

When we accept the command to try to be perfect we need to start somewhere. (Start failing somewhere, LOL). Just kidding.

We start by attacking satan with one of two quotes found in 1 Corinthians 6:9. #1 Adulterers will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, or #2, fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. We were one or the other. So we attack satan in 1 of 3 ways. 1, if you are busy, quote this Scripture 10 times per day. 2, if you are only somewhat busy, quote it 20 times per day. If you are not busy, quote it 30 times per day.

Here is an example of how this works so powerfully. You are in the sort of busy category (20 times per day). While at work you quote your verse about 13 times. When you come home your focus is spending a lot of time going to war with the addiction. You start going to war and you keep going to war. Finally, you declare world war three on satan for ruining your life.

Why did you get so inspired to work overtime on addiction? Because the verse scared the crap out of you. Because the verse inspired you to “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Phillipians 2:12.

Key point: The fear of God is good, smart, and the Bible highly recommends it.

Back to the example. On the next day, you quote the verse a bunch of times and once again spend extra time going to war with addiction. Day 3 – repeat, and repeat.

Some of you have never experienced the joy (that I always talk about) that comes from being close to God. After a few days of this kind of warfare, and a few days of going to war with all sin, you will experience that joy. You will love it. You will never want to give it up, never, never, ever.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
I recommended wearing a rubber band and snapping it when I had a lustful thought. I was shocked by the result. Background: The Bible says: “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

When I praised the Lord after snapping my wrist (as a reminder to not have lustful thoughts) my lustful thoughts dropped by 80%.

This shows that the dark forces mentioned in that verse are popping thoughts in my mind a lot. It also shows that they don't want to be around us when we are praising the Lord all the time.

Plus even when it is my thought and not theirs, I don't want to think that way. I need to get rid of any fantasies or lustful thoughts.

Key point: snap it, then say, “Praise the Lord.”

Secondly, pray. Jesus had the daily habit of prayer. Virtually all great Bible Christians had the habit of a chunk of time in prayer daily. The Bible says: 6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This means: Ask for God's guidance in “All decisions,” and He will direct your path.

Thirdly, the Bible says: Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Memorize this verse. God's way “Adds,” and leads to victory. This verse will open your mind up to the great life that God wants for you.

Snap it. What we do starts in the mind. Free your mind and you will be free.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
In the Bible Jesus often blasted the religious, the church elitist, and the people who taught about God but who did not love Him. Then He often sought out the worst of sinners. Why?

My guess is because His standards were a bit too high and hard for the religious. But, when the lowest of sinners repents they have a different view of sin. They view it as evil, horrible, destructive, and a complete insult to their Savior. And despite it taking weeks, months, and sometimes even years to get the sin out. They, like David from the Bible, retain a massive passion for their Christ and a vile hatred for their sin.

Jesus is not lowering His standards to include the wretched sinner. He is simply looking for people who find His standards acceptable, good, and perfect. The elitists explain the Scriptures away. The repentant sinner fights with all his might to obey and follow. The elitists are confident in their position. The wretched sinner knows that he is wrong and that the Bible and prayer are his only hope.

In the Matthew 25 parable of the lamps, 5 made it, and for the other 5, the door was shut to them because they ran out of oil.

Jesus insists that His followers are always being filled with His Holy Spirit's oil so that they can burn brightly and be a shining light for all to see. The wretched sinner sees this process as a great commission. A change worthy of his time and great effort.

Pray: “Father, I find Your standard's good and perfect. Help me to have a passion for Your ways.”

Pray: “Father, help me to turn aggressively from sin, and help me to be a shining light.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
When we fight sin effectively, we become more filled with the Spirit. To fight effectively, do a Google search on all the sins that you struggle with. Put in, “Bible verses about drinking, verses about lying, greed, pride, etc. Look for openbible.info They have lists of Bible verses for most topics. Next, study, memorize and pray over these verses.

The more we have the Word in us, the easier it becomes to obey. The more we obey, the more the Holy Spirit will be in us.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

We find joy in God's presence. But we will not be fully in His presence if we have unconfessed sin in our lives. If we confess, repent, and have a plan to change, we start making progress.

Once we are in a right place with God we should start to feel His presence. If we don't feel it, we need to ask Him why? Sometimes we merely need to give Him praise and thanks to get in His presence. At other times He wants to show us some unknown sin that is keeping us from fulfilling what He wants us to do.

When I don't feel the presence of the Lord, I react very aggressively and try to get to the bottom of why. I will not live with darkness clouding my mind. Frustrations filling my head, anger filling my heart, or any other condition other than the presence of the Lord. I do this because I insist on living in joy.

Secondly, set your PRIORITIES in Order.

Matthew 6:33, (CSB) – (Jesus said), “But seek first the kingdom of God[and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

Seek God first. Focus on righteousness first. When we live this way, we can start to feel the presence of the Lord.

Thirdly, pray. Someone said it like this, “When we pray, we talk to God. When we read the Bible, God talks to us.” When pursuing after God we need both – to talk to God, and to listen to God speak back.

Fourthly, Seek His Presence with HUMILITY. Through the prophet Isaiah God proclaims, “I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2, CSB).

Humbly seek the Lord. I am always wrong. He is always right.

Lastly, do a soft memorization of John 15:1-11.

John 15:11 ESV
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Making a decision to “Live” the first 11 verses of John 15 is making a decision to “Find” the joy of the Lord.

Seek Him, have the right priorities, and you will find Him.

For the full article click https://chrisvaught.net/2019/02/16/four-ways-to-pursue-the-presence-of-god/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
I often forget this verse: Matthew 6:15 ESV But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Ouch! But, they were wrong. But, they are wrong.

The problem is... When we don't forgive, we hurt ourselves almost as much as anyone ever hurt us.

Matthew 18:21-22 ESV Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Forgiveness starts to bring us into the Light. Unforgiveness leads anger, resentment, frustration, darkness, and then the real trouble rears it's ugly head – it's hard to fight addiction when we stay dark.

Sometimes we need a miracle to forgive someone. But, God loves to do miracles in the area of forgiveness. Click on the link below, then read the first dozen verses ending at Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

https://www.openbible.info/topics/forgiveness

We can read as many Bible verses on forgiveness as we need to read every day in order to forgive.

Key point: Pray about forgiveness. Study the key verses on forgiveness. Then forgive and forget.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
We transcend habits by knowing that the Bible is right about everything. By knowing that if we obey the commandments our lives will be way better. By knowing that we must worship God and not lust or anything else. Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Paul and Silas worshiped God in prison after being beaten, bruised, and shackled.

Key point: We transcend habits by worshiping God in good times and in bad times.

We worship by singing praise and worship songs. By telling God that He is a great and mighty king. He is the Lord of Lords, and a mighty ruler that is worthy to be praised.

We worship God by our obedience: Romans 12:1 ESV I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Pray before and during any situation that may tempt you: “Father, help me to turn aggressively from sin.”

When we are busy worshiping God, we can overcome lust. So strive to worship and praise Him all the time.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
This week I received solicitations from groups that the Christian church does not accept as true. I received nothing from people who follow only the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Doing nothing keeps us in addiction. Instead, consider what the Bible says: 15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Now you may say: I need to fix my addiction first. But the people who have imaginary religions spread the Gospel all the time. Ours is real... with power. We need to have just as much urgency as they do.

It is time to attack sin so that the Holy Spirit can fill us so that we can do something. We must “Know” the verses that we can quote to defeat our sin. We must read our Bible first thing every day so that we are empowered to change.

All it takes for satan to win is if we do nothing. Instead, pray about purpose, and pray about being on fire. Most importantly, pray about caring about souls (ten times daily).

Key point: 50% of quitting addiction is planning and knowing what you are going to do.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
PSALMS 119 “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”

Walk in the law of the Lord this week and see what blessings God has for you.

2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

Seek Him and see what blessings God has for you.

3 “They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” A full focus on living right starts to lead toward a full blessing.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Always praise Him no matter what. He is always right.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” David had experience with God forsaking him because of his lust and murder. He did not want it to happen again.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” When we focus on the Bible verses about the things we struggle with, our ways are cleansed.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” When we obey and seek the Lord, life starts to get good.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” We don't stop sinning by luck. Sometimes we struggle with sin even though we pray. But once God's Word is filling our hearts, we begin to have the power to overcome.
 
Top