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Victory Over Temptation
In these
days when Satan is pulling out all stops, it is critical to be able to successfully battle
against temptation.
Not by Might
Nor by Power—Zechariah 4:6
In your own
strength you may hold out for a season, but ultimately the real test will come.
Two
Businessmen
Both seem to
do business in the same way until a rare opportunity presents itself. If they have no
conscience they can make a fortune.
- One man unscrupulously grasps the opportunity.
He says it is better for him to get
this opportunity than someone else.
- The other man feels a longing for the gain, but his heart
hates the sin.
He says better to be ruined in business
by not taking this opportunity than to be a success dishonestly.
- The two men have different signs over their businesses.
The first man—“We have to
live”
The
second man—“We have to die”
Two Methods
In 1
Corinthians 10:1-10 we read that all the Israelites who were liberated from Egypt were
given the same spiritual and physical blessings. However, not all of them received the
same benefits from those blessings.
Now all
these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1
Corinthians 10:11-13
If you think
you are strong enough to resist temptation then you are coming form a position of your own
strength and you are headed for a fall (or at the very least for a temptation which will
try you sore).
Burger King Theology
Living life
your way, not God’s way.
But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6:9
Relationship With God—Isaiah 57:15
God calls us
to a relationship with himself. But not just a casual relationship.
The High And
Lofty One
According to
Isaiah 57:15, the place (or position) of the High and Lofty One is in the High and Holy
Place.
But he is
not there alone. He has other high and lofty people with him.
The Word And
Prayer
Reliance
upon God’s word and the power of prayer are two powerful indicators that we are not
operating in our own strength.
- Psalm 17:4
- Psalm 19:7-11
- Psalm 119:11
- James
1:12
Fellowship
With Saints
David’s strength came from
Jonathan.
Because their fear was in the LORD, so,
too, will be their conversation.
Worst
Case—Proverbs 24:16
For a
just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into
mischief. Proverbs 24:16
Where does
the just man aspire to arise?
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