Daily Huddle - Sun Jun 7, 2020 A Vital Skill

Love you all, praying for you. 
 
Can we talk about a vital skill in life?  It’s overcoming temptation.  Temptation is an equal-opportunity offender – it respects no one.  Everyone in life will be faced with choosing wrong or choosing right.  While no-one is immune from temptation, you can take steps to avoid it, the wise do.  If you don't address it - it will keep coming.  Those constantly bombarded with temptation, haven't learned to resist it - that's why they always face it.  They've never resisted to the point that the devil has to come back at another time - so it's just there all the time.  Temptation is simply the invitation to do something that displeases God - an opportunity the devil always presents - to steal, kill and destroy you.  It has dire consequence.  Sin separates you from God.  It wants to rule over you, instead of Jesus.  Romans 6:12 - Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, How can we who are dead to sin, live any long in it?  Victory over temptation is fully available but not a lifetime guarantee.  Your victory today must be vigilantly maintained, or even the mighty can fall.  There is eternally good news regarding temptation!  We don’t need to fear it, we are not under its control, we just have to obey God in overcoming it.  You address temptation two ways, before the fact and in the heat of the moment.  So what might be the most common temptations that would cause you to displease God?  That would bow to the devil who wants to steal, kill and destroy?  Grumbling and complaining, doubt, fret, and fear, gossip and slander, lust, food or alcohol, coveting and greed, and pride.  And perhaps the greatest - going your own way, living by your plans instead of His.  Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray, every one of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  Praise God.  He knew temptation would come, and He died in our place, so we would have the power to overcome it.  Temptation leads to enslavement, separation, and ultimately death.  Sin separates you not from the love of God, but the presence of God.  No sin can dwell in His presence.  But Jesus came so we might have life, and have it more abundantly.  There are wonderful promises in God’s Word which guarantee victory over temptation - the invitation to temporary pleasure but lasting grief, which grieves the Holy Spirit, and will result in punishment from a God who loves you.  It's to bring you back to right relationship with him, and the good that He has for you.  First thing to know about temptation.  It’s a lie.  You’re getting punked by the devil.  The grass isn’t greener on the other side.  Anything that God says don’t do, is for your good!  Violating that for cheap thrills or temporary pleasure is foolish, useless, fruitless.  It always ends badly - never worth it, not even close!  God is planning your good, the devil is planning your destruction.  Here are the Top 7 Truths About Temptation.   #1  It’s common to man – I Corinthians 10:13 - The temptations in your life are not different from what others experience.  And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  You’re not the first one to face it, and you won’t be the last.  He will help you if you choose His way out.  #2 – You used to be slaves to sin, but not anymore – Romans 6:17 - "Thank God!  Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.  And since you have been freed from sin, you have become servants of righteousness."  If you have put your faith in Christ – you are set free from the sin that once controlled you.  You could give in, but you don’t have to.  It’s not your nature anymore.  #3  Resist the devil and He will flee from you.  When you resist temptation, the devil will try again, but the more you resist, He will have to come back at another time.  Temptation comes in overwhelming waves, but if you obey God's Word - the devil will leave you, in hopes of another opportunity.   But he won't get one, you'll be stronger by then!  #4  Set your eyes and Move your Feet - Like Job – fix your gaze straight ahead.  Like Joseph – run – leave your coat behind if you have to.  #5 People & Activities – Just say no.  Don’t walk with those who do evil – or you will be like them.  Never go down the road near her house.  Leave behind those who seek to do evil, or seek temporary pleasures – you will fall with them into God’s judgment on the wicked.  #6 - God gives you grace (Divine favor and power) if you choose it, to say “No” to temptation.  It’s a promise. Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God appeared that gives salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say, "No," to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled and upright lives in this present age.    #7 -  The Word of God is the key – PRISM is a requirement – it’s how you cleanse your mind and guard your heart.    God has re-created you to overcome temptation – every one!  Not be overcome by it!  First start with a clean slate.  Take inventory – have you been complaining recently? Are you speaking against whom God has put in authority, Are you looking at what others have, that you don’t have? Are you thinking of yourself as better than others? What are you consumed with lately?  Ask God to reveal anything that has displeased Him, and repent and turn from it.  I John 1:9 - If we confess our sin he is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Then ask God to help you to choose that grace every time.  Commit your way with your mouth.  Like David, declare that you will obey Gods Word.  Identify those people and places that have you fall.  Leave them.  Never go back there, get better friends.  Finally – make PRISM your priority!  Soak in His Word.  Psalms 119:9 - How can a young person keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.  Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.   What’s the big deal?  James 1:12 – Blessed is the person who remains steadfast under testing and temptation, for when he has stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  You can struggle with temptation, or you can overcome it by the power of God and the Holy Spirit – so your life is filled with God’s joy – and nothing prevent you, deters you, or slows you from the plans for Good that He has prepared for you!    
 
Love you all,
dad