I have been journaling what I have learned when I taught The Purpose Driven Life. Chapter 26 is about growing through temptation. In Galatians 5:22 and 23, Paul teaches about the nine fruits of the spirit. We develop these nine fruits by experiencing the opposite, for example, patience is learned through trials; kindness can be developed by harshness experienced or by kindness learned; integrity by defeating dishonesty etc.
Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus. I Corinthians 10:13 reminds us ‘that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience.’ The circumstances might vary but not the temptations.
Satan is described as a ‘lion walking about seeking whom he may devour.’ So we know that he is predictable. First he identifies a desire inside of you. What we are going to hear in our minds is a still small voice which will sound like: ‘You deserve it! You should have it now! Something that feels this good can’t be wrong! (Don’t confuse this with God speaking in a still small voice.)
Temptation begins in our minds not in our circumstances. We feel lonely so we justify adultery or fornication. Now we delicately call them ‘relationships’ and we as a society accept this behavior to be ‘right as rain.’ Those are two words you don’t hear our society talking much about any more.
Step two is doubt. Hebrews 3:12 gives us a warning: “Watch out! Do not let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.” I know those who who have twisted and changed the scripture to make it say what they want it to. One you hear a lot is: “I don’t believe in a God who will send people to hell.” You can sin, but just confess it because “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So some people use these verses to do as they please.
Step three is deception. Satan does not tell the truth, he is called the ‘father of lies’ in John 8:44. Our children tell us all the time that “everyone else is doing it.” The one I like the best is “It’s only a little white lie.” These are really statements of deception.
Step four is disobedience. James 1:14-16 teaches us that when we are tempted we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and gives birth to sin, and sin gives birth to death. Do not be deceived!
Once we recognize where the temptation is coming from we must then make sure we resist that temptation. “Draw close to God, and He will draw close to us. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
We never outgrow being tempted by satan. He uses our vulnerable places in our lives as our lives change. “Temptation is a sign that satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness,” quotes Rick Warren. As we resist the devil, you can be sure he will continue to tempt us.
Satan will distract us or shame us by having a thought. When we have those thoughts we need to confess them and continue on our walk with the Lord. One thing I am learning is how to recognize the pattern of temptation and prepare myself for it. Ephesians 4:27 admonishes us ‘Do not give satan a chance and avoid evil.’
We must call upon the Lord at all times. Ask God for help! Even a short request to God will be heard. Jesus tells us that he understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
I believe it is important that we do not put ourselves in situations where we are prone to sin. An example would be an alcoholic going into a bar. He is putting himself in a position where he will be sorely tempted. If you are allergic to an food or material, you stay away from it, you avoid it! Same is with sin’s situations. What do we fill our minds with, what are watching on TV or listening to? Read Phillipians 4:8 for a goal for your life.
What I love so much about God is that His love endures forever. He is always stedfast and true. My husband and I both have a favorite passage found in Psalms 139:23, 24. These are what I call ‘prayer’ verses. Soon we will discuss how we defeat temptation, found in chapter 27.
Psalms 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
Psalms 139:24
And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Hi
I have been single for 3 years now ! I was ingagde bud it did not work out for us and inbetween we had a lovely child!
anycase I moved on and so did the ex! God has realy been with me ! He helped me to be more loving caring, understanding and more humble than ever!
I have been reading this book but it had its times where I was heart by what it was saying so it hase been 3 years and im only on chapter 26 now!
My Qstion is! How will I then know who the rite girl for me will be! I mean fealings brings couples together but its all about chouses if you and your new girl/guy will stand together!
I want to know what I should look for and how to work it out in a relationship with a girl!
Im doing the alpha cours for the 3rd time now but this time Im one of the 30 od leaders! and I have recently met a realy gr8 girl but for some weard reson I cant grasp is that I feal God only used me to help her to see what see needs to do with her live her space! You see every person I believ has a space around them and in that space is all there dreams douts, love, friends, gols everything and I told her ” does she see me in her space? is there space for me?” and this is what opend her eyes! I told her its all about chouses that will make a relationship work! I dont know where these words I spoke about came from! it made sence but in the same breth I new she might move on now seeing that she still needs to work on her space!
It herts when God does this ! But with every problem we are vased with be grouw stronger in charicter! And I know this is part of Gods plan for her live ! and its not the first time somthing like this hase hapend! it herts but I am a child of God and He will use me to grouw His Kingdom even if it is to place me in herting sitioasions! I getting stronger but when oooo when will I settle with a girl?
Thanks for reading this!
Hope to hear from you all!
Sorry For my spelling !
Yours Faithfully
Paul Nel
Paul, I am glad you are reading the Purpose Drive Life because within the pages of this book you will find the answers for the questions you have. I was single until I got married at the age of 33 and my husband was 44. We’ve been married for 25 years and we met through a mutual Christian friend. I believe if you “Wait on the Lord” (Psalms 27:14) and allow Him to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6) you will not need to worry how you will meet a girl for your life. First, make your relationship with God a priority and get involved in a church where they have a singles ministry. I am so sorry you are hurt and I trust you are a great Dad and will spend a lot of time with your child. Every night pray for God to send you the right person in your life, one who loves God and allow God to be the glue that keeps your relationships together which would include friends, etc. as well. I am sorry it took me a while to respond. If any one else has a comment, feel free to respond.