Changes Due to Sanctification

“Changes Due to Sanctification”

Prov. 28:13-14; Psa. 139:23-24; Duet. 19:19-20; 1 Jn. 1:5-11 

SUBJECT: CORRECTION ADVERSITY COMPELS US TO MAKE

THEME: Examine Your Attitude Toward Evil and Sin When Trouble Invades Your Life. 

RELEVANCY: God Desires for Us to Correct Our Attitude Toward Evil and Turn Away from the Practices of Sin. Sin usually leads to even more sin; it is certain that the “hardened heart shall fall into mischief.” God desires to compel all of us to engage in periodic self-examination so we may face up to our own sin and to do the difficult work of changing our beliefs and our behavior. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Scriptures tell us, God is a God of absolutes. We are either evil or righteous, based upon what we have decided to do in response to Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. 

Now that we are saved, our focus must be on sanctifying ourselves unto Christ our Lord. Sanctification is being set apart for God’s special use…being progressively made holy. The ongoing, practical, and experiential growth in grace is the target. The daily journey of moving away from sinful behaviors to embracing a Christ-like lifestyle involving prayer, scripture study, complete surrender, and obedience to God. This is the lifelong work of the Holy Spirit transforming us believers to become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, desires, motivations, and actions. 

MESSAGE:  

COMPELS US TO CORRECT OUR HARBORING OF EVIL.

A.  CORRECTION THROUGH SALVATION.  

Persisting in sinful patterns and willful disobedience to God is a primary cause of a hardened heart. God is still calling you to trust Christ as your personal Savior today. He still loves you. His Holy Spirit still attempts to draw you to the Father.  

B.  CORRECTION THROUGH SANCTIFICATION.

Recognizing our sinfulness compels us to journey further, making life changing growth a habit. 

You likely remember that Proverbs 28:13, says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” These observations are key to the sanctification process. Recalling two particulars that are conducive to making sanctifying changes:

• Honestly acknowledging faults and taking responsibility for those wrong actions.
• Truly repenting to not merely say sorry but actively abandoning sinful behaviors.

   1. We Should Feel Compelled to Confess Our Sin.

When we see that we are sinful, we need to come to our heavenly Father saying, “I need Your forgiveness. Please wash me and make me clean in Your sight.” When we recognize that we have committed a trespass against our neighbors, or that we have sinned against God, we should not brush that aside casually as if to say, “Well, that's just my human nature.” Rather, we need to come to God and say, “I have sinned. Have mercy upon me. Change me so I won't desire to do this again!”

a.     Be wide open and straight with God regarding your sins. Psalm 139:23-24, says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” David acknowledges that God knows him completely. By asking God to “search” and “try” (test or examine), he invites God to reveal the inner motives and unconscious biases that he might be blind to. David is begging God to search for sin and point it out, even to the degree of examining his very thoughts. He wants God to expose any hidden sins in his life and guide him toward righteousness. This is a humble admission of our fallibility and a desire for God’s transformation.

b.    Beloved, this is ‘spiritual exploratory surgery’ for sin. The phrase “wicked way” refers to anything causing spiritual grief or pain. This is a request for cleansing and realignment, asking God to point out sin so it can be confessed, and to actively guide us onto the path of eternal life. Child of God, how are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us (sometimes through others), we can repent and receive forgiveness. Oh, make this verse your sincere prayer. If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing God’s path of experiencing everlasting life.

   2. We Should Feel Compelled to Reject Sin and Stand Against Evil.

Recognition of evil should bring about a rebuke, a removal of evil, or a stand against evil.

Deuteronomy 19:19–20, Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. [20] And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

a.     We can note the consequences for a malicious witness who gives false testimony in court. The Law mandates that the false accuser receive the exact punishment they intended for the innocent victim, serving as a severe deterrent to perjury and a way to purge evil from the community.

1)    So, if a person lied in court to get someone convicted of a crime, that person would receive the very same penalty (whether a fine, imprisonment, or death) that the innocent defendant would have faced. The goal was not personal vengeance but community protection to eliminate wickedness from society.

2)    Public justice had a dual purpose: to punish the guilty and to act as a strong psychological deterrent. By carrying out severe, fitting penalties in plain sight, the community would learn to fear the legal and moral consequences of lying. This strict justice system was designed to cultivate a culture of truth, integrity, and respect for the law. (See Bible Study Tools)

b.    Beloved, we too are to live in truth, integrity, and respect for God’s Word. Those who hope that God will tolerate a little sinfulness are those who tend to tolerate sinfulness in themselves.

1)    I have seen some come to the point that they do nothing about their sin even though they recognize it as sin. They usually say something like this, “But we are all sinful. We all fall short of perfection. I’m only human after all.” That is true. Romans 3:23 says it plainly: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

2)    But, when we recognize sin in our lives as Christians, we should feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to do something spiritual about it! A Christian should never tolerate nor excuse his sin! We are to live with truth, integrity, and respect for God’s Word.

c.     1 John 1:9, states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This Christian core promise assures us believers that openly acknowledging and taking responsibility for our sins before God instantly restores our fellowship with Him, guaranteed by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Forgiveness means our sins are entirely pardoned and the barrier between us and God is removed. “...and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” speaks of cleansing or removing the internal guilt and moral pollution that sin brings, making us spiritually pure in His sight. While Christians are granted eternal, positional forgiveness at salvation, daily sins hinder our close fellowship with God. Confession acts like ‘relational dusting,’ washing away daily guilt and restoring our closeness with God.                                                            

   3. We Should Feel Compelled to Break Free of Sin’s Grip.

Jesus told a woman who was caught in the act of blatant sin, “Go and Sin No More”.

John 8:10-11, When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 

Jesus literally expected her to quit sinning in this area He had dealt with.  He was commanding her to REPENT! It didn’t take her 10 visits with a Psycho Analyzer and $20, 000 dollars to get her life straightened out. It took real faith in the Lord Jesus, and conscious submission to Christ’s Authority in her life, therefore she could break away from sinful practices. She was now saved; therefore, she could stop making a habit of sinning! (Rom. 6)

a.     Look to the Lord Jesus, Who Requires Us to Be Perfect. Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. We believers are called to pursue spiritual maturity, wholeness, and unconditional love that mirrors God’s nature, particularly by showing grace to both friends and enemies.

1)    The word “perfect” means “mature,” “complete,” or “reaching a goal”. It does not mean absolute, sinless flawlessness, as we have real limitations.

2)    However, this is God’s ultimate standard; we cannot achieve moral perfection on our own. Instead, it is a lifelong pursuit of transformation, made possible only by relying on Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

b.    How Can We Be Perfect or Spiritually Mature?

1)    In character. In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.

2)    In holiness. Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees, we are to be devoted to God's desires rather than our own and show his love and mercy to the world.

3)    In maturity. We can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.

4)    In love. We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us.

c.     We Can Be “Perfect” If Our Behavior Is Appropriate for Our Maturity Level—mature, yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like him. Those who strive to be like Jesus will one day be like him because of seeing him as he is (1 John 3:2-3). John also advocates ‘walking in the light’ (1 Jn. 1:5-10) or being honest about your mistakes rather than pretending to be ‘perfect.’ We acknowledge our flaws rather than sweeping them under the rug. We begin to live honestly…transparently with God and relate more appropriately with people!

C.  CORRECTION THROUGH ZERO TOLERATION.

Facing the fact that we are sinful creatures is not the same as tolerating sin in our lives. Again, you may be saying, “But we are all sinful. We all fall short of perfection.” That is true.  You may also say, “Well, nobody is perfect, surely God understands that.”

   1. Understand That Acknowledgment is Not Toleration for Sinful Behavior.

Acknowledgment of sin should lead to cleansing and fellowship—not more tolerance.

1 John 1:5-10, This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

a.     Acknowledging sinfulness means agreeing with God that our behavior or conditions fall short of His standard or expectations. Toleration, however, is consenting to or condoning that behavior. This distinction calls us believers to confess and reject our sins rather than approve of our iniquities.

b.    Beloved, this is a solemn call to real repentance! Psalm 32:5, says: “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

    2. Understand That Our Acknowledgment Leads to Rejection.

The Scriptures teach us that God desires for us to hate sin and its consequences and to turn from evil at every opportunity.

a.     We need to not only memorize Psalm 119:104, but we also need to adopt the attitude that it requires regarding sin and evil.  May its truth be our resolve! Psalm 119:104, Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

1)    We are not to imitate evil.

2)    We are not to embrace evil.

3)    We are not to flirt with evil.                                                                  

4)    We are not to be curious about evil.

b.    Realize that Jesus’ death and resurrection were God’s final remedy for sin. John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.  Until this time, a complicated system of ceremonial sacrifices had atoned for sins. Sin separates people from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The word “finished” is the same as ‘paid in full.’ Jesus came to finish God's work of salvation (Jn. 4:34; 17:4), to pay the full penalty for our sins. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. Now we can freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us.

We believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection therefore we can live eternally with God and escape the penalty of death in hell that comes from sin.

 CONCLUSION:

Sanctification can be your reality. This daily journey involving moving away from sinful practices to implementing Christ-like lifestyle measures may be your reality immediately. The Holy Spirit transforming us believers to become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, desires, and actions can began for you today. Remember, acknowledging sin before God is the path to forgiveness, not the acceptance of sin. 

   

 

God's Order for Husbands (Part V)

 

“God’s Order for Husbands” 

1 PETER 3:7

SUBJECT: SUBMISSION AND MARRIAGE

THEME: Each believing husband is to submit to God’s order in his marriage.

RELEVANCE: the best husband first views his marriage as an expression of his submission to the Lord. Abandoning the ‘traditional,’ ‘romantic,’ and ‘institutional’ models of marriage he freely clings to God’s Order. He is not loyal to his wife primarily nor worldly models; the Christian husband is devoted to Christ first—above all. He fully submits to Christ’s authority in his life and seeks to guides his family accordingly. 

INTRODUCTION:

Clearly, a righteous husband following God’s order will be a man of prayer as a way of life. He lives in communion with God and He treasures deeply the company of Almighty God as he prays. With him prayer is not someone else’s suggestion, but a desire of his heart because he views all of life as God’s gracious gift to him, he never imagines a moment without sharing it with the Lord. Nothing disturbs him more than his sin against his Father. He is honest and repentant before God regarding failures, his goals center on executing God’s plans, and he is confident in God’s timing and involvement as a standard. He admits his imperfections regarding them as steppingstones on his journey. He really longs to share all of himself with the Lord even though he feels God is worthy of so much more. Consequently, he treats his wife as special partly because he rightly treasures this sweet communion with the Lord. 

MESSAGE:

IV. MANAGE CONTENTIONS IMMEDIATELY, 1 Pet. 3: 7, “…that your prayers be not hindered”

“Hindered” in 1 Peter 3:7, mean to cut off! That is a barrier or ‘cutting off’ of communication with God, meaning prayers become ineffective or unanswered due to broken interactions with your wife. So marital conflict, inconsiderate behaviors, or neglect can block a husband’s fellowship with God. Yes, this is mega-serious!

Marital contentions often stem from poor communication, financial stress, unequal division of household labor, and parenting disagreements. Other major causes include lack of intimacy, infidelity, diverging life goals, and interference from extended family. These issues often erode trust, create resentment, and lead to persistent conflict.—AI Overview

Other common infractions may include:

·      Poor Communication: Inability to listen, constant arguing, and lack of open dialogue.

·      Unwillingness to Apologize: A need to "win" arguments rather than resolve them.

·      Unrealistic Expectations: Assuming a partner knows what you are thinking or expecting them to be perfect. 

·      Infidelity: Emotional or physical cheating that damages trust.

·      Different Values/Goals: Disagreements on religion, life goals, or core beliefs.

·      In-laws/Extended Family: Excessive interference or boundary issues. 

·      External Pressure: Job stress, health problems, or trauma.

·      Substance Abuse: Addiction issues.

·      Selfishness or Pride: An unwillingness to consider the partner's needs or admit fault. .—AI Overview

So, we must be on guard against discord, disharmony, anger, wrath, rage, and taking out frustrations on our wives because God stands against us until correction has prevailed. A husband is not right with God, when he confesses his sin to God, he must endeavor to also make things right with his God-given wife. Not by avoiding or denying accountability, but by owning failures and actively pursuing behavioral changes. Marriage is a tool of personal sanctification! Unfortunately, I was well acquainted with anger and resentment; I had to trust God to remove this kind of negative control and influence from my life. God used these very same verses to help me, and He will do this for anyone. Couples are to live together in such a fashion as to prevent family related contentions. Disputes and misunderstandings will affect the spiritual health of the entire household, but these are also opportunities to grow.

God says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). He requires addressing anger promptly to avoid sinful, prolonged bitterness or harboring resentment. God warns of the dangers of letting anger turn into a “foothold” the devil can exploit. Our anger should not last for days and lead to personal attacks; anger is never an excuse for weaponizing another’s weaknesses or vulnerabilities against them. We gravely destroy all trust by doing this.

Psalm 37:8, states, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Harboring rage or anxiety is never advisable even when there are apparent advantages because these emotional distresses ultimately lead to sinful actions. We are not to fall for this temptation, but trust God’s justice fully. So, we abandon intense, bitter rage and emotional turmoil, as these reactions lead to sin, harm, and destructive behaviors toward our spouse. When it comes to “anger” we must “cease”; we stop it immediately and completely. We also must let go of simmering resentment—"forsake wrath” to avoid irrational actions. We can trust the Lord to help us break free of sinful motives and controls. God expects a repentant heart in us as we depend on Him for real changes.

Ps 66:18, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Isa 59:2, But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Seek to secure “peace” at home; do whatever is in your power that can be done to pursue peace. There are times when it is not all up to what you do or stop doing, but as for your part try to be ‘peaceful’ as one who must give account to our Lord.

Psalm 34:14-16, command us to, Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. ¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. ¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Romans 12:18, says: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” The Lord instructs us to make every effort to maintain peaceful relationships with everyone (especially at home), understanding that even with our responsible actions, total peace may not always be achievable. Remember, you are responsible for your own reactions, actions, and efforts toward peace, regardless of how others behave. There are instances of extreme opposition, so what God asks of us is perfectly realistic and not idealistic instructions. Christians do not pay back evil with more evil, but we overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). This requires initiative in resolving conflicts and maintaining a respectful, empathetic attitude towards our spouse. We are enabled by God to promote forgiveness and love to break the negative cycle, and these powerful instructions help us navigate this hostile world through Christ-centered behaviors.

QUOTE: “The sighs of the injured wife come between the husband’s prayers and God’s hearing.” Also it is very difficult for a couple to pray together when something is disrupting their fellowship. For the peace and welfare of the home it is important that the husband and wife observe a few facts:

             1.   Maintain absolute honesty in order to have a basis of mutual confidence.

             2.   Keep the lines of communication open. Always be willing to talk things out.

             3.   Overlook minor faults and idiosyncrasies.  Love covers a multitude of sins.

             4.   Strive for unity in finances.  Avoid overspending, installment buying, and the desire to keep up with the Joneses.

             5. Remember that love is a commandment, not an uncontrollable emotion.  Love means all that is included in 1 Cor. 13. Love is courteous, for instance; it will keep you from criticizing or contradicting your partner in front of others. Love will keep you from quarreling in front of your children, which could undermine their security.

            6. Always be ready to admit when you are wrong and always be ready to forgive when you have been wronged.”  Confession and Forgiveness are two powerful Christian principle. They are also two overlooked Christlike qualities!—Biggs and Macdonald

Another thing a husband must manage in order to avoid ‘hindrances’ to his fellowship with God is prioritizing and insisting on God’s order! God’s order is always first and foremost for him! God calls husbands to lead in their homes, and their respective wives are responsible for being submissive to that leadership. Men must provide leadership in the church also according to the Scriptures. If the home has a ‘bossy wife’ and the church has ‘domineering women’, it will be more difficult to have a peaceful home and a fruitful church. If the husbands are too weak to lead, then the wives will quickly insist on providing ‘Jezabel leadership’ in their stead. This is NOT God’s order! We men, husbands, must learn to lead! God has never changed or compromised His order and prescriptions for the Christian home, and He is not about to start now. This ‘Jezabel spirit’ does not belong in a Christian home or church. Women liberation has not done any favors for women in general, and it is certainly antithetical for homes and churches for Christian wives. As believers, we need to be loyal to God’s order always. Perhaps understanding that ‘order’ will provide us men with the Lord’s leadership as we so desperately stand in need of it.

If we husbands and wives apply ourselves to adhere to God’s order, we will have a Christ-honoring marriage and our prayers will be considered, answered, and granted.

CONCLUSION:

Married couples need to give careful attention to the instructions of 1 Peter 3:1-7. Many of us have heard the bulk of these thoughts. The problem is we refuse to submit ourselves to the wise counsel of God. Much pain and marital damage could be avoided if we listen to God. Also, if the changes are challenging and even painful because we accepted God’s Order, we are confident that such ‘growing pains’ are worth the transitions. Keep going…don’t ever give up on Christ.

It is imperative that we acknowledge God’s order for our marriages, because therein is the hope of happiness and fulfilment for couples in the Lord. This fulfillment will differ from the ‘world’ ideas, but life with Christ is forever and not fleeting. When we make such choices, our Lord is honored, respected, and obeyed through our submissive lifestyles toward Him. 

The best husband is the man who first views his relationship with his wife as an expression of his submission to the Lord Jesus. It really does not matter who your wife is or what she is not, but it does matter that you acknowledge Christ’s authority in your life and marriage and submit yourself to his order.   

Finally, I do not want to give the impression that I have arrived, and I routinely observe these instructions. Like Paul I am still striving for the mastery of these helpful principles (Phil. 3:7-15). I know about failures. Mirroring Jesus or Christlikeness is the goal I am still aiming for (2Cor. 3:17-18). No, I am yet learning, growing, and becoming. Like yourselves I am on this journey (Rom. 8:28-29) with others…so is your spouse on a ‘life voyage’ together with you. In fact, passages like this one help me understand my failures in the light of God’s expectations. That is while acknowledging my own catastrophes and weaknesses, I still have real hope of becoming more like my Lord Jesus.

This is only possible when a man has a well-ordered home by submitting to his Lord, Jesus Christ. Gentlemen today would be a good time to crown him as LORD of your home!

Breaking Free of Temptations

 

Matt. 4:10-11; Luke 4:13

 

Subject: FREEDOM IN CHRIST

Theme:  If You Ever Feel Trapped by Temptations, God wants You to Live in Freedom.

Relevance: God offers each believer an inner freedom that allows us to live above our present circumstances. This form of spiritual freedom is extremely important to the child of God who feels trapped in the bondage of addictions, depression, abusive relationships, and other oppressive situations. The truth is that any person who feels as if he or she is in the clutches of something sinful, negative, or evil, can be set free in Christ! The fact that you and I can be free is a great encouragement!

Introduction:

The freedom we experience from the “law of sin and death” comes through victory over recurring temptations. Such freedom may be experienced in different times and situations, but you can have freedom from evil’s clutches.

Message:

FREEDOM FROM NAGGING TEMPTATIONS….

Matthew 4:10-11, Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Luke 4:13, And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

No person is ever entirely free from temptation, but we can experience a release from a “season” or a siege of temptation.  There are some basic things we can do to limit the period of satanic and demonic temptation.

   1.  Use the Word Skillfully.

Notice the phrase “it is written” mentioned in verses Matt. 4:4, 7, 10.   Jesus was a master at halting temptations with the power of the Word.

ILLUSTRATION:  We see this in the life of Jesus when He was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. The tempter came to Jesus with three rounds of temptation, and each time, Jesus refuted him with the Word of God. In the final round, Jesus commanded the devil, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10). At that, the Bible tells us, “the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” (Matt. 4:11). There was a definitive end to this “season” of temptation in Jesus' life.

        A.  This Does Not Mean That Jesus Was Never Tempted Again.

Rather, it means that Jesus functioned in full freedom as He conducted His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing for this period. The issue of His loyalty to God alone had been settled in a definitive way, and Jesus could never again be tempted on that point.

       B.  Each of Us Has a Propensity to Sin in Certain Ways.

1 Kings 11:1-2, But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; [2] Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

Temptation often hits hardest in our areas of weakness. For all his wisdom, Solomon had some weak spots. He could not say no to compromise or to lustful desires. Whether he married to strengthen political alliances or to gain personal pleasure, these foreign wives led him into idolatry.  He failed to identify his weaknesses and to prepare himself against these related temptations.    

APPLICATION:  You and I may have strong faith, but we also have weak spots -- and that is where temptation usually strikes hardest. Choose ahead of time to strengthen and protect your weaker areas, because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If Solomon, the wisest man, could fall, so can you and I. The devil knows that, and it is at our weakest point that he comes to tempt us—sometimes in a way that seems unrelenting. How can we experience freedom from his steady barrage of temptation? By using the same method that Jesus used: We can speak the Word of God every time the tempter whispers his lies to us. We defeat temptation by understanding and acting upon the Word.  For example:

1.  When the devil tells us that we are weak, we can declare, “God says I am strong” (Joel 3:10).

Joel 3:10, Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

2.  When the devil says that we are doomed to failure, we can declare, “God says that I am more than a conqueror” (Rom. 8:37).

Romans 8:37, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

3.  When the devil says that we can never change, we can declare, “God says that I am a new creature in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:17).

2 Cor. 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

4.  When the devil says that we are not worthy of God's love, we can declare, “God says that He loved me so much He sent Jesus to die for my sins so that I might live with God forever!” (John 3:16).

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

APPLICATION:  Regardless of what temptation to sin you may experience, God has provided a passage of His Word that declares such a temptation to be a lie of Satan intended for your harm.  Find the portion of God's Word that applies to your specific circumstance and use it as the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17).   This is an outstanding plan for resisting temptation. To further strengthen ourselves against temptation, we can memorize and meditate on portions of Scripture that combat our specific weaknesses. Also understand that at the root of most temptation is a real need or desire that God can fill, but we must trust in his timing. In addition to using the Word personally, find another believer with whom you can openly share your struggles, and call this person for help when temptation strikes.  This should be someone who believes the Bible and can pray with you and remind you of God’s power to help resist the temptation.

Ephes. 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

   2.  Know The Role of Prayer.

We are not only to speak God's Word to the tempter, but to ask God for strength not to yield to the devil's temptations.

        A.  Resort to Prayer When You Feel Tempted.

We should also know the value of prayer to resisting temptation.  Be quick to ask God in earnest prayer to help you stay away from people, places, and situations that may tempt you.

               1.  We have a Model Prayer.     

Matthew 6:13, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

               2.  We have a Clear Command.

Matthew 26:41, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

               3.  We have a Sure Promise.

2 Peter 2:9, The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

        B.  Ask the Lord for the Strength to Resist the Temptation.    

When faced with recurring temptation, we must also ask for the help of Christ and the Holy Spirit in withstanding the temptation.

             1.  Ask God to Help You Stir Clear of Temptation.

Jesus said that when we pray, we are to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”—in other words, do not allow us to get into situations in which we are subject to the devil's tempting (Matt. 6:13). 

             2.  Maintain a Constant Watchful & Alert Attitude for Temptations.

On the night in which Jesus was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He had said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. ” (Matt. 26:41).  When we maintain alert, we can see the enticements coming and prepare ourselves against them. 

APPLICATION: This is good advice for when you’re working with or around someone that is immoral or given over to sinful ways and perverted shady practices.  Also, there is the ‘sand paper person’ who frequently rubs us the wrong way, that we must be on guard against their friction, and thereby avert open conflict.  This can also be applied to certain ‘high pressure situations’ and major events that seem to put a great squeeze on our strengths, skills, time, and energy to ensure that we do not take out our frustrations on those we love the most.  If we learn to expect Satan to tempt us, he will not be able to catch us off guard or overtake us by surprise.  Being constantly watchful will deliver us from Satan’s surprise ambush.                                                                                                    

        C.  Use Prayer as a Means of Countering and Enduring Temptation.

Mark 14:32, And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

This experience in Gethsemane with the Lord Jesus and the three disciples portrays the varied purposes of prayer in relation to temptation. Jesus literally resisted temptation by using the same tools He encourages us to use.  For Jesus, prayer was not a means of escape, but respite; not a way to avoid difficulty, but a way to endure it. We know that Jesus humbly submitted to the Father's will. Luke tells us that Jesus' sweat resembled drops of blood. No doubt His prayer was filled with extreme emotion. Jesus was in terrible agony, but he did not give up or give in. He went ahead with the mission for which he had come. He knew that prayer would help him endure this extremely painful period. 

APPLICATION:  We miss the opportunity of communion and fellowship with God if we treat prayer as merely telling God what we want him to know.  Jesus knew that prayer was a stronghold for enduring through a period of trial and temptation.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we forget how fully human Jesus, Son of God, Savior, really was. Here we see it. His agony fills the garden.  Agonies consume us, too. To face the imminent death of a loved one or the accidental death of a child or our own approaching demise -- these agonies can tear at our souls.

Do we have a Savior who knows how heavily we tremble, how deeply we groan? Yes, we do. Can we come to this Savior in prayer and find a friend? Yes, we can. Jesus is with you; he's been there; he knows the feeling. He will help you come through the temptation as you turn to Him.  The Lord reassures of this blessing when he said, in Hebrews 4:15, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and he is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When tempted, turn to God for strength by a short prayer– or even linger in His presence, communion, and fellowship, or find a quiet place to pull out your Bible and read a psalm all the while trusting God to help.   

Conclusion:

Many are trapped in lethal sinful lifestyles! There is a freedom that is relevant to us no matter the sinful patterns and destructive behaviors. For those stuck in the bondage of addictions and sinful habit patterns…. For those struggling regularly with thoughts of depression and deep dark despair….

For those living daily in abusive relationships longing for positive change and contemplating running away…. Even others experiencing oppressive situations, which have their root in satanic influences.

God roundly offers freedom through Christ to you and me! To experience this freedom Christ prayed:

John 17:14-17, I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [17] sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Christ prayed earnestly that we would not become enslaved and influenced by the evil present in the world system, but instead become versed and capable with the “Word of Truth” as the “Sword of the Spirit.” To be more set apart for God’s glory, usage, purposes, and practices—“sanctified.” Belove, sanctify yourself unto God through embracing the Word more.

Remember 1 John 4:18 and embrace the truth that God’s perfect love removes all kinds of fears. We need to learn to accept the reality of His love for us, so that our fears do not control us. If you're afraid of facing a person, a situation, or a temptation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest. Don’t be afraid to trust the Lord with even your greatest fears to make this vital commitment to the Truth.