On Sunday, we wrapped up the series Trending with a look at the biggest story of the week - the attack on the Congressional softball practice. Through this senseless attack, we were reminded that we are all targeted by the enemy and that we have God's defenses on our side as we deal with temptation.
Remember, the enemy never changes so we can profile him and learn how to deal with his schemes. Here's what we know about our enemy:
- His background in Genesis 3:1 reminds us that he wants us to doubt and disobey God.
- His actions in 1 Peter 5:8-11 teach us that sin is nothing to flirt with as the devil roams like a lion looking to see whom he can devour.
- His target is you and me and he profiles us to see how he can entice us and drag us away according to James 1:13-14.
- His motive is always to hurt and to harm. John 10:10 teaches that he only comes to steal kill and destroy.
Once we understand His tactics and strategies to make us doubt and/or disobey God, we can deal with temptation.
First, we turn to Him through prayer. This is God's spiritual solution to a spiritual problem - temptation. We turn to Him even when we don't want to because he is our faithful, merciful God.
Second, we own the struggle with temptation. We don't dismiss it, blame others for it, or give in to it. We do as Jesus taught in Matthew 18:8-9. We take radical steps to remove temptation and sin from our lives.
Third, we stand firm faithfully. As we stand against temptation, the God of grace makes us strong, firm, and steadfast according to 1 Peter 5:8-11. Victory adds to victory when we win against temptation.
I'm getting fired up just typing what I taught so now it's time for some things that I wish I said:
- We need people to help us stand up to temptation. Authenticity and accountability are a must for us to grow through temptations.
- Jesus calls us to radical steps of discipleship. Don't hurt yourself physically, but take every other action necessary to remove temptation from your life.
- We don't have enough will power or won't power to fight temptation in our own power. That's why we must stay close to Jesus in prayer, dependence and obedience.
- We are seeing people find victory over life's hurts, habits, and hang-ups through Celebrate Recovery. Don't fight alone. Get help in this life-giving community.
- It's time to stop kissing the lion. Don't flirt with temptation and sin. It will devour you.
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