The Nature Of Temptation (Part 2)

In my first post I established from scripture that temptation is common to all men and that the nature of temptations is ultimately to deceive you and cause you to do wrong.  We've also established that temptation is built on fantasy or imagination and there is an attraction to it, or else we wouldn't be drawn to it.  Remember, temptation itself is not a sin, but sin will occur if we continually dwell upon the temptation, because we will eventually act on it.  Tweet This  In dealing with temptation, if it's not handled properly at the onset of the temptation, there will be a point of "no return." And according to James 1:12-15, the temptation will be conceived in your heart and it is at that point where you will eventually "give birth" to what you are being tempted with.  So remember, don't dwell on the temptation, but nip it in the bud immediately!

How To Build A Defense Against Temptation

1. Remember there is divine control.  Don't discount God's ability to help you and give you the strength and courage to overcome the temptation.
2. Determine to resist in the power of the Holy Spirit.  You aren't powerful enough in your own strength.  But relying on the power of the Holy Spirit you can overcome the temptation.
3. Focus on the big picture.  Ask yourself:
• Is this thought a specific violation of God's Word?
• What are the consequences if I yield to this thought?
• Am I prepared to pay the price for yielding to this temptation?
4. Identify other areas in your life that you know are areas of weakness and be aware of the "moments and times" you are the weakest.
5. Make yourself accountable to another person you can trust.
6. Read the Word of God daily as an anchor and make note of passages that will help you in your weak areas.
7. Put on the "Armor of God" daily.
8. Affirm the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
9. Stop making excuses and call the temptation what it is.
10. Be aware of the cycle of giving in to temptation, the guilt and shame, and the promise to do better.
11. Know that you can break this cycle.

How Can We Respond Wisely To Temptation

1. Focus on the big picture. As you focus on the big picture you should consider how yielding to a particular desire will affect your health, finances relationships, and God's plans for you.
2. Recall 1 Corinthians 10:13.  God is faithful [and] will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape.  Claim this promise when temptation strikes.
3. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.  As a born-again child of God, you have the awesome power of the Holy Spirit to reset your thinking, change your attitude, and enable you to say no. (John 14:15-16)
4. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth (Colossians 3:2). In other words, determine to live a victorious Christian life and not focus on desires that will draw you away from God. (1 John 2:15-17)
5. Identify areas of weakness.  When you and I know our limitations, we can be more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in that area.
6. Build a defense by reading God's Word. Study the Bible and ask the Lord to build spiritual principles into your life as a protection against temptation. Don't reason with Satan; speak biblical truth, following Christ's example. (Luke 4:1-2)

Apart from God's help, you will never be able to find genuine freedom from sin. Start today, putting into practice the principles that will give you freedom from sin and power over temptation.  

-- Pastor Temple

The Nature of Temptation (Part 1)

Everyone faces temptation.  Even Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1) and Scripture tells us that He was tempted in all ways like we are yet He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).  In this post I want to share with you the nature of temptation and cover some facts about temptation and where temptation comes from.

The Nature of Temptation

As I stated in the opening paragraph, everyone faces temptation.  It is common to all men and women, no one is exempt (1 Corinthians 10:13).  The nature of temptation is to ultimately deceive you and cause you to do wrong. There is always an attraction to sin via temptation, else we wouldn't be so drawn to it.  When a person yields to temptation it is because they allow fleshly desires to control them.  Temptation often begins with something very small and seemingly insignificant but then grows into something bigger and bigger.  The allure of temptation is that it is built on fantasy or imagination.  Temptation itself is not a sin.  Sin occurs only if we act on the temptation.

Facts About Temptation

• Temptation means to "entice, test, persuade or urge to do evil."
• The source of temptation is found in James 1:12-14.  The source of temptation is rooted in
• The flesh
• The world's system
• The devil.
• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us an idea of how temptation works.
• It begins with a thought
• Then it becomes a "fantasy or imagination"
• Then it moves to a desire
• Next it moves into your will
• Then you make a choice
• It's at the point of choice where a person gives in to sin or says no to the temptation

Three Categories of Temptation

There are all kinds of temptation, but the book of 1 John 2:15-17 tells us that all temptation can be put into three categories.

• The lust of the flesh
• The lust of the eyes
• The pride of life

These are the broad areas of temptation that all of us are confronted with from time to time.  These are also the same temptations that came to Eve in Genesis 3:6.  Eve saw that the tree was good for fruit (lust of the flesh).  She saw that the fruit was pleasant to her eyes (lust of the eyes).  And she saw that it was a tree to make one wise (the pride of life).

Temptation is always designed to draw our desires and heart away from God. Nothing should take the place of God in your life or take you away from God.  If there is anything drawing you away from God, you have to get it under control now.

What are your desires?  What is it that you want more than anything?  God wants the answers to those questions to be Him.

-- Pastor Temple

Hearing, Seeing, and Believing

If there is one thing that is certain it is this; neither God nor His Word has changed!  The Gospel was, is, and always will be a powerful truth that is meant to be heard, seen, and believed.  Whenever the Gospel is preached it should produce a visible manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit that will move people to believe what it says. Jesus declared that the people could believe that He was the promised "One to come" by what they heard and saw. Jesus links the preaching of the Gospel with the visible demonstration of God's power as a foundation for believing. In this post I will share with you three truths as they relate to hearing, seeing, and believing. (Luke 7:19-22)

1.  People Long For Truth And Its Power

In Matthew 13:16-17 Jesus states that the longing in the hearts of the "prophets and righteous men" of old was to see and hear what Jesus' followers saw and heard. The wonderful thing is that nothing has changed in that people today still long to hear the truth of the Word of God. I believe that people not only want to hear the Gospel, but the want to see its power. Too many Christians have settled for a powerless Gospel that is far short of what Jesus has given to us.

2.  People Become Energized Most By What They Have Experienced

In 1 John 1:1-3 John the Beloved said the things we preach and teach that are the most effective are the things of God that we have both heard and seen with our eyes.  People tend to be energized most by things they have experienced firsthand. Educators tell us that students retain information best if they hear aloud the words they are reading.  The Lord's message becomes more deeply rooted in those who both hear and see the Gospel in action in their lives.  Tweet This It is easier to believe when you have heard it from God;s Word and have also seen its manifestation.

3.  The Word Must Be Accompanied By A Demonstration

In John 3:31-33 Jesus said His testimony concerning God the Father was of things that He Himself had both "seen and heard" in heaven. There are many churches today that are content to just preach the Gospel and hear the Gospel, but without the accompanying demonstration of the Spirit's power. People both heard and saw Jesus' ministry in action, demonstrating God's ability to save, heal, deliver, and bless.

Seeing and hearing is a consistent pattern of how Jesus and His disciples preached the Gospel. An example of this is found in Acts 8:5-8.  Philip preached Christ in Samaria, but he also ministered divine healing to the sick and cast out demons.  In verse 6 it says the people of Samaria "paid close attention" to Philip's preaching when they saw the miraculous demonstration of God's power. Seeing the Gospel declared with power, with healing, and with miracles, opens people's hearts to "hear the Lord's voice."

The Gospel is to be seen as well as heard.  Paul declared that "my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

Are you ready to hear, see, and believe?

-- Pastor Temple

Changes We Must Make (Part 2)

Spiritual change is a process that starts on the inside and not the outside.  (Tweet this) Too often people get this just the opposite.  They attempt to change the outside or external parts of their lives only to be frustrated because it doesn't last.  Lasting change will only occur if the change begins on the inside. The reason this is true, is because your thinking controls most of your decisions and your choices. I am going to share with you five truths about change that will help you understand how change works and some of the keys to change.

Four Unchangeable's

1. Other people -- No matter how hard you try, you cannot change someone else.  You may have the ability to "influence" them, but ultimately they will do what they want to do.  The only person you can change is yourself.
2. Your race -- God made you the race and ethnicity you are.  It is important that you accept that because you cannot change it.
3. Your gender -- God also made you the gender you are.  Now I understand that "modern" medicine can "surgically" change people but that doesn't change who God made you to be.
4. God's will -- God has a will for you and you cannot change it.

Learn To Love Change

A person with a rebellious, stagnant spirit reacts negatively when confronted with the truth about themselves.  That's why the Bible instructs us to not correct a "scorner" or "mocker" (Proverbs 9:8). But correcting or instructing a "wise" man is profitable to them, because they will listen and they will learn to love making productive changes in their life.

Don't Be Afraid Of Change

Most people will agree that change of any kind is usually "uncomfortable."  Almost anything we do that is different creates feelings of mixed emotions.  But when it is God who is directing the change, you will find peace in the midst of the change.  Don't allow the devil to plague you with fear and keep you from God's best.

Make The Word Your Final Authority

Deception will always lead you down the wrong path and the deceived person has convinced themselves that they are smarter than God.  But when you are deceived, you will be led astray.  Don't base what you "believe is true" on your own thinking, but base what you believe is true on the Word of God.

Five Keys To Change

1. Plant different seeds.  If you aren't happy with where you are in your life, then you will have to do something different.  That means planting different seeds than you have been planting.  It is certain, that we reap what we sow.
2. Develop new relationships.  Begin to reach out to others who will support and reinforce the changes you are making.
3. Get in church and learn to walk with God.
4. Change the way your think, and you will change the way you live. Tweet this
5. Practice thinking and meditating on new thoughts you've received from reading and studying the Bible.

A good example of making changes can be found in this post on "Morbid Obesity." 

I pray you are ready to make the changes God is stirring you to make.  

-- Pastor Temple

Changes We Must Make

To change something means to alter or make it different. Everyone from time to time will need to make changes in their life.  Change is a process that I believe must start on the inside of you. When a person is "born again" or saved, the experience doesn't start on the outside, but on the inside. And everyday we should be changing and conforming into all that God desires of us.

If a person isn't changing, they aren't growing. And just because someone may acquire knowledge it doesn't necessarily mean their mind is renewed. Knowledge can provoke change, but change only comes when you act on the knowledge you have. Tweet This

The evidence that your mind is being renewed is when you don't respond the same way to old temptations. If you want to change outward manifestations, then change what is in your heart. Only the Word has the power to root out the bad things you have stored in your life.

I.  RENEWING YOUR MIND IS A KEY TO CHANGE -- Here are five keys to making changes in your life:

1. Renewing the mind is a process that takes time.
2. Your thinking must line up with the Word of God.
3. The Word must be your final authority.
4. Your thinking determines the type of life you live.
5. Plant the Word of God in your heart and use it to renew your mind.

II.  CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHANGE -- Five steps for creating an environment for change:

1. Ask yourself what you are doing to create a positive change in your environment.
2. Put off the former, un-renewed nature. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
3. Take responsibility for your life.
4. Take responsibility for your words, thoughts and actions.
5. Determine if you've been tolerating things in your life that shouldn't be there.

III.  YOUR LIFE IS A REFLECTION OF WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART

Matthew 6:21 informs us that where our treasure is that is where our heart will be.  If your treasure is negative, your life will be negative. Your thoughts will often translate into outward behaviors, that's why it is vital that you closely monitor what goes into your mind. (Read Pastor Keith's "What Are You Thinking About"). You have the power to choose your outcome in life.  You will choose life or death, based on what you treasure inside your heart.  If you have good things in your heart, good will come out; however, if bad things are in your heart, bad things will come out (Matthew 12:35). You must always deal with the root issues in your heart and mind and the Word is the only thing that has the power to go deep into your spirit and root out bad treasure (Hebrews 4:12). Never run from change, but welcome it if it is God's change.

IV.  YOUR THINKING CONTROLS YOUR DECISIONS AND CHOICES

Family, finances and relationships are all areas where you must make decisions. The degree to which your mind is renewed is the degree to which you will experience change in your life. A mediocre life is a life that is average.

V.  ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE YOU

Any person who is in Christ is a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17. God wants transformation to continue even after you become born again. Transformation is a process of undergoing change.

What change is God directing you to make?  Are you willing to make them?

-- Pastor Temple

Keeping God First

The Christian life consists of many decisions we have to make every day that concerns our spiritual
growth.  Making these decisions is best coupled with prayer, reading the Word, sharing your faith, and believing God's promises.  As believers we have to be aware of the potential for us to "lose interest" in the things of God.  God's Word gives us clear warning about the dangers of drifting away from Him.  God will not stop you from drifting away, but He will do continually prompt you through your spirit to get back on course.  In this day and time we can't afford to drift away from God because without Him we can't survive spiritually.


How To Identify If You Are Drifting Away From God

There are several signs that you may be drifting away from the Lord and allowing yourself to just move along with the flow of the world.  Here are six signs you may be moving away from the Lord.

1. Your interest in God and the things of God begins to wane or decrease.  No longer are you excited to talk about the spiritual things of God such as the working of the Spirit in your life or the Bible.
2. You start losing interest in your prayer life.  Where you once may have prayed every day now you find yourself going days or even weeks without seeking God.
3. You no longer have a desire to join with other believers in fellowship and worship.  Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  It is important to be with other believers.
4. You stop giving faithfully, either to the church you attend or to other charitable organizations or to people who God puts on your heart to give to.  Becoming a "stingy" person with money is a definite sign of drifting away from God.
5. You no longer have a desire to share your faith with others and are insensitive to their need for salvation.
6. You no longer feel close to God.  We don't live by feelings, but if we are near to God, we will know it.

What Causes Us To Drift

There are many reasons a person may drift away from God, but I just want to list four.

1. The influence of others.  As you are around people and get close to people who aren't men and women of faith, you can't help but be influenced by them.  This doesn't mean we ignore non-believers, but we must be aware that they can have a negative influence on us in regards to our faith.
2. The lure of the world's ways.  The world is a very alluring place.  Everything that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life will all draw us away from God if we aren't careful.
3. Doubting that God really cares.  Everyone has had times of doubt in their lives.  But when you continue to think on whether or not God cares or even exists you put yourself in greater danger of drifting away from God.
4.  Giving in to temptation.  No one sets out to be an alcoholic, or to have an affair, but they make small choices along the way that let them slide into sin which draws them away from God.

Six Consequences Of Drifting Away From God

1. Your conscience becomes dull.
2. You step out of the will of God.
3. You lose your ability to hear God.
4. You fall into the sin of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12)
5. You have no peace.
6. You miss God's best for your life
7. You have a negative impact on others.  God wants you to be salt and light.

How You Can Prevent Drifting

1. Anchor yourself in the Word of God by reading and meditating on it daily. (Psalm 119:15-16)
2. Be obedient to what God says in His Word.
3. Submit to Him when He shows you an area that need correction. (James 4:7-8)
4. Stay on guard. (1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:17-18)
5. Surrender your life to Him each day.

If you have found yourself drifting away from God just confess and repent. God is ready for you to come right back.  Then trust the Holy Spirit to enable you to continue to follow Christ daily because without God we can't spiritually survive this world.

Have you drifted away from God?  God is always ready for you to once again draw close to Him!

-- Pastor Temple

Does God Still Speak Today? (Part 5)

In this post I am going to cover the last two ways that God speaks to us today.  They are through a "still small voice" and through dreams and visions.

Still Small Voice

The phrase "still small voice" is taken from 1 Kings 19:11-12 where the prophet Elijah was running for his life and was hiding out in a cave on mount Horeb, "the mountain of God," because he feared he would be killed.  In verse 11 the Lord tells Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain "in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."  As Elijah stands in the presence of God, a "great and powerful wind" tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks, "but the Lord was not in the wind."  After that an earthquake occurred "but the Lord was not in the earthquake."  After the earthquake there came a fire "but the Lord was not in the fire."  After the fire came a "still small voice" or as some translations put it, "a gentle whisper."  It was only then that Elijah heard it and God spoke to him.

Too often we are looking for God to speak in some spectacular and awesome way or event.  When all the while God is wanting us to listen carefully to His gentle whisper or still small voice.  God will say more in a whisper than in the great events.

Dreams and Visions

Take note: not every dream you have is a "dream that God gives you."  Most times you are just dreaming and that's it.  However there are other times that God will prompt your spirit and give you a dream that is significant and He is trying to speak to you through the dream.  Acts 2:17 tells us that "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  There are many instances in scripture of dreams and visions (Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:12-13; Acts 10:9-22; 2 Corinthians 12:1-9).  God does speak to us in varying ways.  Job 33:14-16 tells us "For God does speak now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it.  In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings." What is important, is for you to be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit to discern if the dream or vision really is from God.  Don't fall into the trap of thinking every thought and dream you have is a direct Word from God.  Sometimes they are just thoughts and dreams.

-- Pastor Temple