So in fighting temptation we are BY NO MEANS DOING IT IN OUR OWN FLESH. After spending time in Prayer this morning AND in God’s word because I strongly believe in the two going hand in hand, I came to these conclusions on fighting the temptation.
The word says: “For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die: but if he through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live” Romans 8:13
Romans 8:9-10 “But he are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin;but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
The word makes it plain and simple to live after the spirit and not the flesh because one leads to life the other if fed more leads to death. The deeds of the flesh that tempt us are these:
Immorality,
Sensuality
Impurity
Jealousy
Envy
Idolatry
Sorcery
Enmeties
Strife
Outburst of anger
Disputes
Dissension
Factions
Drunkenness
Cariusing
Now walking in the SPIRIT is this:
Worshipping
Reading the word
Praying and fasting
Praying in general
Fellowshipping with other believers
Serving others
Evangelism
Meditation on the word/God
The steps God has given me to fight the urges of the deeds of the flesh above when they come through temptation is
1. Turn completely in the opposite direction – this is the very act of repentance, as you feel tempted begin to pray, get up begin to exercise, go on a walk, examine why you’re being tempted befpre acting in the sin and decide that you will not do it. The point is that we have way more power over our thoughts that we give ourselves. We can simply tell the devil “no” and take part in another activity that shuts down the tempting voice. Believe in the power God has given you to turn completely away.
2. Worship – simply put on a worship song and if that is not possible, begin singing one. As you enter into worship your focus shifts from the temptation and onto the words you are actually singing in worship unto God. Worship allows you to fall before God’s feet and glorify him. WORSHIP IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY. HE CANNOT STAY IF YOU DO.
3. Prayer – as soon as you feel the temptation begin talking to God, this and every other point takes discipline but the more you practice it the better. Enter into deep prayer as you feel the temptation, talk to God about the temptation he more than understands. Just pray.
Faather help us to practice these practical steps in defeating the flesh that we COMPLETE POWER OVER? You have died for the very sin that come to tempt us so that through the Holy Spirit we can CHOOSE to say no and walk in the other direction. Give us the power and discipline to shut down temptation’s voice and walk in the other direction because honestly, when we think of the sin we engage in, it is not worth it. Neither does it glorify you or make you please, NEITHER does it help us grow, it only keeps us in the same place. We can only do this through Christ. In Jesus name amen.