THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

The Bible clearly says “We can do it.” First, we need to gain the habit of turning from lust. Step one is to tell God your plan. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to turn from lust. I commit to praying this prayer _______ times per day. Praying it several times while I turn on the TV or social media, and praying it five straight times if I stumble on anything tempting.”

Use notes, alarms, and any other way you can think of to remind yourself of your goal.

Second, yesterday I did a couple of things in excess. Excess leads back to bad habits. Consider praying:

Father, help me to be moderate and content.”

Learn great new habits. Find joy.

For the full article "You can do it," click.

 

[Gordon 7]

People treasure artificial intelligence, gold, bitcoin, and many other things. These things do not lead to joy.

Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.”

About 5% of Christians believe this verse, and about 5% of Christians are on a direct path toward fullness of joy. People think their habit is the problem. Nope. Not treasuring God's commands is the problem. It would be great if you quit your #1 problem, but most of us have a #2 problem, a #3 problem, and a #4 problem. Consider becoming obsessed with praying:

“Father, help me to treasure Your commands.”

I quit. Quitting showed me how great life is. Quitting made me aware of the spectacular value of treasuring God's commands. Many find the verses about lust difficult, but when we start to treasure God's commands, we see them in a new way. They become our great leading, glowing light. They become “The answer.”

Ways to learn the habit of treasuring God's commands. #1 Consider memorizing that verse and repeating it daily. #2 Consider printing out this article and reading it until it is “In you.” #3 Consider praying the above prayer often.

Consider working on this top ten quitting habit often.

 

[Gordon 7]

When David saw Bathsheba, he wasn't where he was supposed to be. He saw something he was not supposed to see. Then he did something he was not supposed to do. He cost so many people, so many things that they were not supposed to lose.
#1 Strive not to be where you are not supposed to be. #2 Turn instantly from something you are not supposed to see. #3 Stop, and scream no, before even thinking about doing what you are not supposed to do. #4 Reject short-term pleasure because the cost is way too great.
These 4 habits will save you from reaping the destruction David reaped. Consider working on them often.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

This article contains Christian ideas. Please proceed if that is what you want.

We should confess every sin every time and confess every sinful thought every time. For some... that will be a constant stream of confession. Good. Work constantly on using your confession as a reminder to think new thoughts. With every bad thought consider praying:

“Father, I am sorry again. I agree with you that this thought is wrong.”

Second, take 5 minutes to truly repent (When not busy). Consider praying:

“Jesus, I do not take Your cross for granted. Please help me to turn from lust.”

Third, do not take God's grace for granted like Annanias did (Lying to Peter). That ended very poorly.

Fourth, Consider memorizing good things to “Think about.” There are several in this thread and a bunch in the article Think About.

If you think correctly, nothing can stop you.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Finding our purpose is a top two quitting habit. A person who says, “I'm willing to do what God wants me to do to change the world,” is way more likely to quit. They have multiple reasons to quit, and high motivation to quit.

Second, quitting “sticks” way more often when you start your purpose. Life has never been better for me. Don't want to mess up what I now have.

Third, purpose leads to joy. The worldly things people think lead to joy never do.

Consider praying: “Father, help me to avoid lustful situations, and help me to care about souls.”

Fourth, spend a block of time daily praying about purpose.

Fifth, try new things that you think God would want you to do.

Finally, develop the positive addiction of thinking about purpose often. It is what we are here for.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Abraham trusted God and was starting to offer his son as a sacrifice until God sent a lamb instead. Joseph trusted God and ran instantly from sin. Why? Because he knew exactly what God thought about the sin satan was tempting him with:

1 Corintians 3:14“ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

Joseph knew verse 17, but he also knew verse 14. #1 he “knew” God had a great work for him to do. #2 He knew lust, sex, and sin would ruin him.

Second, Joseph “knew” God would reward him for doing God's will (purpose) because he had done God's will many times, and had been rewarded many times. Note: We will receive an even greater reward in heaven for what we do down here, but, God also blesses those who do His will down here.

Third, Joseph was busy preparing to do what God wanted him to do.

God has something important for every person to do. Joseph spent a block of time praying about what God wanted him to do. Then he did what God wanted him to do.

Fourth, you and I are not Joseph, but if we think and pray more about what God wants us “To do” we will start to understand the right way to live.

Fifth, your purpose is vitally important. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to run from lust, and show me how important my purpose is.”

Sixth, God does not think small things about you. We come up with small ideas ourselves.

Seventh, we do start small, Joseph continued to pray and trust God when he was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Later right before he was going to save Israel he was again thrown into jail. His small purpose was with other prisoners. Then... he got out and saved Israel (with God's help).

Finally, consider thinking and praying often about your reward for doing God's will. Consider reviewing verses 16 and 17 often to remember what happens with sin, and then spend time with God in prayer and in scripture so that he will give you a great purpose and a great life.

 

[Gordon 7]

Don't stare at some sexualized body part on TV or in person. In my opinion, if you do... You will keep the habit.

While trying to quit I would be at the park and see a girl, and stare at her ________ for as long as I could get away with it. Then I would watch TV and a female would have on short shorts, and I would stare at her legs for 10 straight minutes.

Seeing properly clothed people does not open the door for satan, staring does. Yes, when seeing is obviously sinful, the habit of turning from lust is vital. But, when you have a stronghold with lust, staring quickly becomes a problem (Even when the object person is not overly provacative).

If you break the habit of staring, one of satan's top 10 tools to sink you is gone. Consider praying:

“Father, help me not to stare.”

Have a plan for what to do when you have the opportunity to stare. I always turn away and praise the Lord.

If you pray all the time:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and help me not to stare,”... You will have created habits that start to keep satan away.

Full the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Know exactly where, when, and how temptation starts for you. With every article, it is usually a 10 (best) for your situation, a 1 (weak) for you, or average. When articles are great for you make notes, put them in a Google doc etc. It may be way wiser to read an article that addresses your root cause 12 times in 12 days, versus new fresh articles. It may be way wiser to try to learn the habits recommended in those articles versus habits recommended in articles that are not exactly for you. I will be working on my index once a month until it is done. Whether you use that system, or notes, or notebooks... The key point is, find a way to remind yourself every day, what habit you want to work on to fight temptation at the root cause for you.

Joseph ran from the root cause of his temptation. It ended well. David's root cause of his temptation was staring (Maybe he had several root causes – he was a mess that week). David did not run. It ended badly.

Finally, think about, pray about, and find articles that are about the root cause that starts your temptation. Then create habits to attack that root. Then attack.

 

[Gordon 7]

Christian content. Please proceed if that is what you want.

Today my Bible-study was on 1 Corinthians 6... Ouch. I have studied this chapter intently, but it still is a real barn burner to read.

1 Corinthians 6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!”

What if I say, “Do you not know that your minds are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a porn star? Certainly not!”

Please realize... This idea is my guess that this wild version is interesting. Nothing more.
Is the original verse true with porn? Decide for yourselves, but all I know is porn brings darkness, anger, fear, and a host of other bad things. Is that what being “Members of a harlot” is talking about? Second, becoming one with a harlot is referring to a spiritual glue that happens with sexual sin. Is there a glue that is causing all this addiction?

16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

18 Flee sexual immorality.”

Before I quit, I would fall and think, “This is my world, this is my place.” But, then the destruction would start and instead of thinking “I am home,” I would think, “Crap, here comes the darkness and depression again.”

Second, what is verse 15 exactly referring to? Certainly, it is 100% a loud warning against sleeping with a harlot, but if you read it twice a day every day this week you may find that it is also a loud warning against lust.

Finally, you can't read these 4 verses too often. I challenge everyone to read these 4 verses as many times as possible this week. Consider copying them into your phone notes. Then reply to this thread in 1 week about how it helped you. Four verses, one great challenge. You will win whether you win.

 

[Gordon 7]

Don't overestimate the pleasure of porn. Don't underestimate the destruction of porn. Consider praying:

“Father, teach me to not overestimate the pleasure of lust. Show me how the devil tricks me.”

If you fall 2 days from now, the destruction that happens over the following few days, weeks, and months, is part of that pleasure ratio. It's a bad ratio.

Second, don't underestimate the pleasure that finding your God given purpose brings. I have been praying, “Father, expand my borders and bless me indeed.” After many prayers, I felt like God wanted me to go to a specific church. Now, I just moved, I know nobody at that church. Like Jonah, I preferred some other purpose. But last week I prayed often, “Father, help me to care about souls.” Then I wrote that article about trusting God, and I prayed, “Father help me to trust You,” multiple times.

I finally went to that church. After the service, the pastor came up to me and started talking. He wanted to grow his church, and I had a bunch of ideas for him. He was very excited and we talked for 25 minutes.

Long story short: Going there gave me the most pleasure I have had in a long time. God knows what is best for me.

Finally, don't underestimate the pleasure that finding your God given purpose brings. Consider praying about purpose often.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

We need increased self-control. But, praying for self-control over something that is a stronghold is rarely effective. But, praying over something that leads to lust can be very effective. Let's say you have a huge problem with lust, but an occasional problem where alcohol gets out of control. You have noticed... When drinking goes wild, you slip back into lust twice as quickly. If drinking is not a stronghold, prayers for self-control with alcohol may work well.

#2 Praying for self-control over TV shows. Once we watch the wrong scenes in a TV show, running from it becomes way harder. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to increase self-control with picking clean shows.”

If risky shows are a problem for you, today, commit to prayer: How many times per day will you commit to praying the above prayer? As you start watching TV consider quoting the below verse several times:

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes;”

Finally, pick one or two things that you think lead to lust. Then change the above prayer to one that reflects those things. Then pray it fervently until you start to see some self-control.

 

[Gordon 7]

With porn, something partially dies, or starts to die, the more it is done. Many agree that bad things happen because of sin, but most agree that lust kills love, joy, peace, and purpose to a greater or lesser degree. Consider printing this out and ranking from 1 to 10 (With 10 being best), your level in each category.

Peace ___

Love ___

Filled-with-the-spirit ___

Hope ___

Do you feel filled with Light? ___

Blessing ___

Strength ___

Joy ___

Purpose ___


To quit, prioritize what you want to do. Think 100 times per day what you want in each category. We don't lose weight by saying “I'm gonna eat less.” A better plan is, “I want my waist to be __, this is my goal, what I am going to do. Why will I eat less? Because, this is what I want my waist to be.

Second, if you think more about how you will increase in each (Or some) of these categories, you will think less about ____.

Third, what if during intense temptation a person first reads 3 of the verses for quitting (Based on my 21-day program), and then whips out a printout of this sheet and studies it... Thinking about ways to increase in many of these categories.

Fourth, this sheet will remind you “Why” you are low in some/many of these categories. You will stay low as long as you pick short-term, sinful pleasure over God's ways.

Fifth, today I read, “Sin is stupid.” Consider memorizing this fact: “Lust is causing all of the things on the above list to partially die or begin to die.”

Sixth, someday in heaven, someone may come up to me and show me their sheet. On it they wrote, peace, a 1 rating, ruined by lust. Love, a 2 rating, weakened by lust. Blessing, a 1 rating, ruined by lust. Joy, a 1 rating, ruined by lust.

Then they show me a new printout of what happened after they studied these categories for one month. Peace, a 5 rating, love, a 6 rating, blessing, a 7 rating, joy, an 8 rating.

Today, set your goals for each category. Consider reading your sheet and thinking about these goals often. When you don't ruin these things with lust... They grow stronger and stronger, and then life gets better and better.

 

[Gordon 7]

This month consider setting a goal to solve 2 problems. #1 Consider "Constant thoughts" and actions about "How to" solve the lust problem. #2 Consider constant thoughts and actions about how to solve your #1 emotional issue that leads back to lust.
Consider writing down your #1 emotional issue that leads back to lust. Next, do a Google search: Verses anger, verses fear, verses frustration. Fill in the blank with the emotion, or sin _______ that starts you slipping toward lust.
Second, have a time and a place to work on studying, praying, and meditating on those verses.
Third, consider saying every hour: (setting an alarm helps) "I will overcome this emotion ______ with God's help.
Fourth, overcoming negative emotions is part of finding joy. Insist on working toward God's joy.
Fifth, pound out that negative emotion with scripture. It will help.

For the full article click.

 

[Gordon 7]

Satan attacks forcefully after bad things happen to us. To win that battle, react just like Joseph did: “Run instantly.” Example, car breaks again, money is short, and frustration is high.

Consider reacting by planning “What you will do today, this evening, this hour, and right now.” Realize, that your healthy plan is not what your flesh wants you to do. Realize that if you start to consider your (bad) options, you have invited satan to the decision to influence you to what he wants you to do. Instead...Consider praying every 5 minutes:

“To run instantly, I plan to ______ (insert your healthy activity here).”

Second, get started as fast as possible with some sort of healthy activity. Come to this site for a few minutes, read the Bible, or get active.

Third, start your plan as instantly as possible.

Fourth, if “Bad things happening” causes you to fall often, consider printing this out so that you can find it instantly in your quitting folder.

For the full article click.