Temptation

Why is freedom so difficult?

(Hint: Seeds start small.)

Take our thought life captive to Christ! 

Here are some topics expanded below

TEMPTATION SUB-MENU

• Advance Preparation - before we are tempted

• What can I do - suggestions to prepare in advance

• During Temptation - suggestions

• Advance Preparation - before we're tempted

  • Spiritual armor

  • Militaries/Police Dept's prepare in advance

  • Building defenses (like a wall around ancient Jerusalem)

  • What are our defenses now?

  • Are we learning, training spiritually, becoming spiritually disciplined?

  • What can I do - suggestions

• During Temptation - what we can do

• Repentance

• Nature of Temptation

MILITARY ANALOGY - THE ROMAN ARMY

• The strongest militaries in the world are strong only because they've prepared in advance for a known or likely threat.  

  • The Roman Army of ancient times was renown for their tactics, strength and strategy.  We can draw spiritual lessons from ancient Rome, even though the Roman society had some severe problems and were bent in various ways.

  • Paul the Apostle speaks of different parts of Roman armor etc in the below passage.

• The Romans were so strong because they were prepared in advance for almost any threat (except the decline of their own society) by any military around them.  

• The Romans had people, equipment, and resources dedicated in advance PRIOR to a time of war/conflict.

  • The Romans had trained and prepared - they were DISCIPLINED and have taken the time to exercise for a potential threat. 

 POLICE ANALOGY - CITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD

• Effective Police Departments are effective because they've prepared in advance.  A policeman/policewoman in a patrol car is there because they've attained a level of training.  

  • A police officer has to completed a level of training and certification to meet the challenges of their duties prior to duty.

  • Some police departments have diverse components to target specific crimes to protect their cities 
    (see below)

Cities of ancient times used high walls as a primary defense.  Ancient Israel is an example - 

• Proverbs 25:28

  Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

   

These examples highlight the need to prepare in advance for spiritual temptation.  Just like a military or police department;
 

If we sit passively in our spiritual walk,
we can expect to suffer loss or damage. 

BUILDING YOUR FAITH IN GOD
is the most effective method
to prepare in advance for temptation.

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So What Can I do in Advance?

What to do in Advance:

• Have I aggressively attacked my sources to this addiction?

• Am I taking my thoughts captive to Christ, and am I accountable to another human being regarding my thought life?

• Am I taking time in prayer, scripture in my relationship with God?

Feed on good stuff! 

(Namely, God's Word)
Otherwise it is garbage in - garbage out!

• Am I meditating on scriptures specifically targeted to this addiction? - frequently?  We can be like a healthy tree planted by streams of water - if we are consistently feeding on scripture.

• Am I asking God for wisdom to defeat this?

• I'm not trying to go alone (a sure bet for failure)?

• Am I daily reconditioning my mind?

  • Much of our problem with temptation is the thoughts we allow in our mind.

• Is my relationship with God growing?  The closer I become to God, the less the power this problem will have over me.

• A really good book to take to heart is "In the Shandows of the Net" by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D. David L. Delmonico, Ph.D. Elizabeth Griffin, M.A. with Joseph M. Moriarity.

• Also try our "Daily Checklist" area.

• Meditate slowly on Psalm 119 - by King David (written through the Holy Spirit)  King David was acclaimed by God to be a man after GOD'S OWN HEART.   

• Think of all the work a police chief goes through to BECOME a police chief.  Think of the spiritual discipline (try this link too) you can go through in a similar way spiritually to fight this addiction.

• Have an accountability partner who will ask you questions daily

• Have an action plan for when you are tempted - WRITE YOURSELF A LETTER OF WHAT YOU FELT LIKE THE LAST TIME YOU ACTED OUT THIS SIN.

• Buy a video of the life of Christ or another prominent Bible character and have it ready to watch when you are going through a rough time in the future. 

• Take an addiction self test

• Titus 2:11-14

  11   For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

  12   It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and 
         to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

  13   while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing 
         of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

  14   who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness 
        and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, 
         eager to do what is good.

  Click here: What CAN I do DURING THE TEMPTATION

   

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During the Temptation

• Help/encourage another brother in FIC when they are down (helping others helps us during temptation) through email.

• Read the posts - there is a plethora of encouraging material daily at the FIC website.

• Email the group at FIC and tell them what you are going through - they can't support you unless you tell them you need help!

• Ted Bundy tells how pornography destroyed his life

• Get away from places/opportunities for temptation!

• Take an addiction test

• PRAY- and not just a 10 second prayer.  

• Email the FIC group (see "how to subscribe" at the start page).

• Call your accountability partner (see Advance Preparation), this assumes you've PREVIOUSLY PREPARED FOR THIS.

• Review your action plan (this assumes you've previously prepared for this!

• Turn on a Christian radio station and listen.

• Visit www.pureintimacy.org 

• Visit this online library dealing with this problem (Concerned Women of America)

• Visit the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families

• The Documented effects of this addiction 

• READ ONE OF THE BELOW ESSAYS!

• What thoughts did you have earlier to acting out?

• What happened earlier to acting out

• What are your normal thought patterns - do you have "pet" patterns of thoughts that are unhealthy? 

• It only takes a spark to get a fire burning.