DEFEATING TEMPTATION

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This is the infamous Wye Oak Tree, which until its recent demise was the largest white oak tree in the U.S. The mighty Oak Tree is a tree that exerts much influence over a very large portion of ground. It sends its roots deep and across the ground desperately seeking water to insure its survival. It is a very difficult tree to cut down and chop into fireplace sizes, because the wood is very hard. Oak trees are a lot like temptations in that they literally devour the ground in which they are planted.

Do you know the easiest way to kill a Giant Oak tree?

Crush it while it’s still an acorn. It hasn’t taken root or broken the surface of the life sustaining ground. The same principle works wonders with temptations! Kill them before they take root. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” We are told in this Scripture to get rid of any thought that is contrary to Christ or the Word of God. (Jesus is the Word of God, John 1:1)

Here’s how to defeat any temptation that comes against you! At the first sign of any thought contrary to the Word of God…implement the following immediately…

1) Turn to God for the way out as described in 1 Corinthians 10:13. He will direct your paths. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. Ask Him “What do I do?” Listen and respond to what He says.

2) Speak the Word of God like Jesus did when he was tempted. (Luke 4:1-13) “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Phillipians 4:13 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

3) Turn on Praise and Worship music or begin to sing praises to Him. Psalm 8: 1-2 “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who has set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth(praise) of babes and sucklings have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that thou might still the enemy and the avenger.”

4) Read your Bible out loud! James 3:4-5 tells us that our tongue is that which literally steers the course of our lives. Re-direct your thoughts with the sound of His Word breaking through those tempting thoughts.

5) Pray and ask God for His willpower and His ability to be victorious. Phillipians 2:13 “For it is God who works within you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

6) Call a spiritual partner and tell them of the temptation. Pray together until the temptation passes! 1 Corinthians 12:21 “…the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” Ephesians 2:22 “In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

7) Thank God with the words of your mouth! 1Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

YOU CAN NOT FAIL WHEN YOU APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD! CRUSH THE THOUGHT BEFORE IT TAKES ROOT!