Day 27: Defeating temptation

..::*+ Small Talk +*::..

I love this chapter very much~

By the way, today we had some street evangelism at Stuttgart Stadtmitte. It was fun and another great experience. I'm now preparing myself to serve in technical team and worship team in my church. Pray for me =)

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Day 27: Defeating temptation

There is always a way out. God will never let us drink 100+ and outdo ourselves in the war with temptation. And this is my favorite-and-100%-memorized-and-unforgettable verse:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1. Corinthians 10:13

*congratulate to myself for typing it out without a single mistake after checking it in my New International Version (NIV) Bible =D *

However, we need to practice four biblical keys to defeat temptation.

1. Refocus your attention on something else. I find this very true: Today after came back from church service in Stuttgart, since internet down, Jia Jin and me had a jog somewhere near our hostel. And at the first ¼ of the first lap, I really felt like turn to Jia Jin and say, "hey, I'm tired, why don't we stop now?" However I remembered this point and focus on something else. I'm not telling you what am I thinking, but I can say I'm not thinking bad thoughts. And in the end I was able to run 2 and ½ laps.

Every time you try to block a thought out of your mind, you drive it deeper into your memory. By resisting it, you actually reinforce it.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

As discussed before, temptation always starts with a thought. Therefore, the quickest way to neutralize it is to turn your attention to something else. Just change your channel of thinking.

Keep me away from paying attention to what is worthless.
Psalms 119:27a

When people yawns, we have the unintentional "uhmm" to follow. When you watch food advertisement, you get hungry, even if you have just eaten, say 10 minutes ago. That's why Rick Warren said:

We naturally move toward whatever we focus our attention on. The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

Therefore, ignoring temptation is the best way. Don't deal with it. When it calls you, don't pick up the phone. When you have something else in your mind, temptation loses its power. Overcome the evil with good. Don't pay Satan any attention. Let him be what-Malaysian-so-called Syok Sendiri.

Above all else, guard your heart,
For it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

2. Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group. You need not to broadcast to the whole world. For me, I have a wonderful mentor to pour everything to. And he listens and gives advices. And sometimes the advices are the same – "what are you doing (to overcome it)?" Simple and yet it's like a check-up for yourself. Similarly, you can find a mentor for yourself, or just talk to your cell group members. We need someone to be there for us. Find people who you can trust – who you can be most honest with. They can also be the one to pray for you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. One of the benefits of group prayers is that it is stronger. Besides, it is stated also in the Bible:

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:16

We are all in the same boat. So why do we need to listen to Satan to jump out from the boat, and to be exact, God's boat? Need not to hide your sins because of pride. You can't handle things on your own. You are not God. Don't pretend as if you have no problem in life. You are just either afraid to tell out, or just wanting to solve it on your own. And again, you are not God to solve things with your 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 eyes, 2 ears, a nose, a mouth and a brain.

2. Resist the Devil. But how? It is clearly written in the Bible:

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17

We see here that there are two parts:

a) Acknowledge God's salvation. Say yes to Christ – it means say no to Devil. The helmet protects our mind. Satan cannot force you to do something – he can only suggest. So put on God's helmet, shield your brain from polluted suggestions.

b) Use the Word of God as your weapon. Jesus quoted Scripture's words when he was tempted by Satan. He did not argue with Satan. He just referred simply to Scripture.

There is power in God's Word, and Satan fears it.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

This is why memorizing Bible verses are essential and come useful whenever we face problems in life. You have the truth to counter Satan's lure.

If you don't have any Bible verses memorized, you've got no bullets in your gun!
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

3. Reveal your vulnerability. We need to not be overconfident. Jeremiah said:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Jeremiah 17:9

It means we are good in fooling ourselves. Any of us can commit sins, given the right circumstances. I admit it, as it applies to me. As discussed, don't place yourself in tempting situations. Rick Warren mentioned something which I think very true:

Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

Don't be so naïve and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12 The Message

Vincent