And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matt. 6: 13
Get thee behind me, Satan, and push!
Most of us can find temptations on our own. (If we are honest, we have to admit that often we go looking for them.) It is not God's way to keep temptations out of our way. It is Satan's way to put temptations ever before us. How can Christians, who want to live the New Life in Christ, resist temptation?
Here are some practical suggestions every saint can employ.
Self-Respect
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. . .
I Peter 2: 9
As a Christian, each of us needs to respect himself for who he is: a chosen person; a special person; a priest who represents God before the world.
You are a real find,
A joy in someone's heart.
You are a jewel,
Unique and priceless.
It doesn't matter how you feel,
Believe it.
God doesn't make junk!
Self-respect is not egotistical. It is reverential. Before the foundation of the world, the Almighty loved you! At just the right time in history, Christ died for you! We are far too valuable to demean ourselves with the petty temptations of this world.
And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!
I Cor. 6: 14-15
The best defense against the temptation to drive illegally is seeing a policeman in the rearview mirror. The best defense against worldly temptations is remembering that we are the Body of Christ.
Tradition
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb. 12: 1-2
Jews represent .001% of the world's population, but they have earned 10% of all the Nobel prizes. Are Jews that much smarter than the rest of us? Or, could it be that as members of The Chosen People they have higher expectations of themselves?
If you were put on trial for being a "Christian," would there be enough evidence to convict you?
He was born in an obscure village
He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty
He then became an itinerant preacher
He never held an office
He never had a family or owned a house
He didn't go to college
He had no credentials but himself.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today
He is the central figure of the human race.
All the armies that ever marched
all the navies that ever sailed
all the parliaments that ever sat and
all the kings that ever reigned.
have not affected the life of man
on this earth as much as that...
one solitary life.
Author unknown
As Christians, we are part of the most powerful tradition that has ever existed. A sure defense against worldly temptations is remembering the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. We dare not disappoint them.
Love
A handsome traveling salesman once told me about how he was tempted to cheat on his wife when he was "on the road." "I never have. I dare not disappoint her." He was saved from sin because he could not stand to see the pain that would be in his wife's eyes.
Some of us might well yield to momentary pleasures if the only price to pay would be ours. But there are no "victimless crimes." Our actions affect others. A strong defense against worldly temptations is remembering the pain we might cause those we love and who love us.
Jesus is with us
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matt. 28: 18-20
The same Jesus who called us to be His ambassadors has promised to be with us wherever we go. How would you behave if everyone could see Jesus with you? He is, you know. We have a powerful defense against worldly temptations simply by remembering, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
O Lord of all good life, purify our lives. Help us each day to see Thee more clearly, walk with Thee more nearly, and love Thee more dearly.
Make us humble, brave and loving. Make us ready for adventure. We do not pray Thee to keep us from temptations, but that Thou wilt keep us ever mindful of who we are in Christ, of our place in the great tradition of the Church, of our responsibility to those who love us and whom we love, and to the living presence of our Lord and Savior, who is with us always.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Blessed are the saints who are equipped with the sound doctrines of TULIP!
The Old Gray Dog
Jim Tuckett
The Westminster Fellowship
Clearly and Unequivocally Proclaiming What It Means To Be Reformed Christians http://www.westminsterfellowship.org
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