Temptation
Article: Active Engagement
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/dyet One of the reasons we're unsuccessful against temptation and sin is we don't take an active stance against it. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV) - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,...
Article: Answering Temptation
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/atroszko As long as we are on this earth, there is one sure guarantee: you will experience temptation. (Being tempted does not mean you that sin; it is the acceptance of the temptation that gives birth to it.) Regardless of the area, issue, or subject, Satan and our flesh will proposition us with temptation. We have been victims of temptation, but we don't have to give in! Often when we are presented with temptation, we mull over the prospect of committing the act. Thinking about temptation and the 'acts' that ensue only gives the temptation more strength, leaving...
Article: Chains of Addiction (Poem)
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/cwsillero I feel desire in my bones that runs so deep Calling out for my flesh in days it is weak Like buddies hanging closer than the strongest glue Killing me softly with ideas that seem so true I must move past the desire and guard from the fire With addiction coming strong to build its empire I run faster than gingerbread with no sign of escape Addiction on the prowl it seems to my last day SAVE ME LORD, I tried and failed at all that I could My actions in the flesh have not been what they should I cannot live a...
Article: Citizens of Roam
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/lesid We are all citizens of a country. Whether we are natural-born citizens or become citizens by other means, we each maintain citizenship with a nation. Each country is identified by the attributes of the country, its landscape and people. However, within this post, we’re addressing those that are citizens of a different type of country - the country of Roam. Roam is a ‘place’ where its citizens are identified by the improper use of their eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet. They use their eyes to roam up and down people for sexual pleasure (Matthew 5:27-...
Article: Coming out of the Closet
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/_lisandra What's in the closet of your life? Does stealing, lying, adultery, ungodly imaginations, and other types of sin that lurk within the darkness of your life? You may want to clean up your life, but the evil deeds you commit keep you in the shadows of darkness. You may not want to open the closet door because you feel ashamed that you could allow those things to stay within your life for so long. You may know that your deeds are evil and enjoy what you do in the dark (well, at least the flesh), but you must come to the realization that your deeds...
Article: Compromise is a Pathway to Sin
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/JoeKrow Most people understand compromise to be a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles. Compromise is also known as an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion (Dictionary.com). Each day we face numerous decisions that can affect our lives before the Lord. One choice decision can change the course of our lives on earth and beyond. There comes sometimes when you would want to please your spouse...
Article: Footholds Lead to Strongholds
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/porah Ephesians 4:27 (KJV) - Neither give place to the devil. Giving place (or a foothold) to the devil is dangerous beyond measure. The 'place' you give him will leave you and those connected to you in the crosshairs of sin. When you allow the devil to be given a place within your life (via disobedience, acceptance of temptation, sin), you open a doorway for every imaginable evil spirit to enter into your life. There may come a time when you're angry at one situation, and begin to break laws, yell at people, and...
Article: Hands Off (Poems)
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/hsin26 Keep your hands far away from the cookie jar Pass the plate and be healthy from sin-laced candy bars Get on the lookout for temptation strollin like a Sunday driver In the streets giving rides to any straying hitchhikers Hit the track, beat the record and break the tape Win the prize marked for you promised in the last day Stay steady on the road that leads you to freedom Pay no attention to temptation when he comes to see you But 'I know him,' maybe so a long time ago But would a friend lie to you to destroy your soul
Article: How Do I Live Out of Lust?
In 2004 we wrote Living Out of Lust, a beautiful book that engaged the very issue of sexual addictions, its devastating effects, and how we can live without the stains of sexual sins. Over the years, we’ve learned that there is a larger encompassing scope beyond the principles of Living Out of Lust. The key message for us that struggle with sexual sin (or any sin for that matter) is the closer we draw to the Lord, the further we draw from sin and the world.
Article: Loaves of Bread
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/elvinstar Proverbs 6:25-27 (KJV) - Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? There are beautiful people in the world and we see them everyday. For some of us, they live next door to us or share the same office space. However, a problem arises if we ever begin to lust after their beauty in our hearts. When we lust after their...
Article: Overcoming and Enduring
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/mgruber Sexual immorality is destroying the church! It manifests through pornography, adultery, homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, etc. Many of our fellow brothers and sisters are turning to the darkness of sin to commit their evil deeds rather than living in the light of the Lord: John 3:19-21 (KJV) - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the...
Article: Relationship Standards
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/melodi2 1. Know yourself. You will be tested and/or tempted based on WHO you are and what Satan can find in you. You are in a war and the enemy will use your weaknesses to destroy you. 2. QUICKLY establish the relationship as being NOTHING more than professional.
Article: Temptation TKO
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/vierdrie For those fighting to stand righteously for the Lord, they will find that temptation (the flesh, Satan, lust) comes back. Like a boomerang returning to its owner, a tempting thought, gesture, or situation comes to face us again and again. Now, if we're not careful, we will fall for its subtle tricks to give in, but in Christ Jesus, there is victory because HE is the great overcomer - and we can be too...in Jesus' name! 1. Being tempted does not mean you sinned. Jesus was born and lived without sin and was tempted by Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11). He overcame without being...
Article: The Fruit of Desire
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/mmilidoni Genesis 3:1-7 (KJV) - Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then...
Article: The Shadow of Sin
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/RasmusA In our lives exists a shadow. This shadow can be compared to our own shadow, but it has different intentions. The shadows from the sun reflect our image unto another object. However, the shadow of sin seeks to reflect its own image within our own lives. The intention of the shadow of sin is to control the object in which it follows. It wants nothing more than to control the life that it tracks. It wants to be in control and will wait for its moment. It often seems like at every moment, turn, and direction of our day,...
Article: Treating Symptoms, Pulling Roots
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/blueyes In dealing with physical illness, car problems, marital issues, etc., we are given signs or symptoms that tell us something is not working in the manner it was designed. We treat the headache, bad fuel mileage, and disagreements at home, but we don’t always research the root cause of that symptom. We focus on the symptom without considering the root problem that may be lurking in the shadows. The symptoms are a way of telling us something is wrong, but there is often a deeper root issue. In dealing with sin, we often treat the symptoms by having accountability...
Article: Watchful Restoration
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/JauresVillani Galatians 6:1 (KJV) - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. It is no light matter to be called of God to restore people in the faith. Jesus says blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). It is a humbling sight to witness the return and growth of those that had been overtaken by a fault. However, there are a few things they must...
Article: When Temptation Attacks
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Custom0305 Have you ever had a beautiful day where the sun is shining; the birds are chirping; the trees are swaying; when...BAM, temptation comes out of nowhere?! Here you are trying to mind your own business, not bothering anyone, when temptation wants to pay you a visit. A part of you is mad because once again, you have to deal with this again, but you know if you don't deal with it quickly and properly, you may give into its call to sin. 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV) - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow...
Article: You Got a Little More Fight in You!
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/courtneycroxdale Job issues. Money problems. Bad situations with family and friends. Kids. Car Problems. Home at risk. There's so many things going on in our lives each day that seem to pull us in several directions at once. At times we just want a little peace and quiet to get away from the day, but we're welcomed with another issue. Then, on top of all this, we have to live right before God...then temptation shows up. Many times temptation seems like the straw that breaks our back and we want to give up and give in. It may seem that giving into our...
