Avoiding the Temptations of the World

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Skummer

Avoiding the Temptations of the World

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Junior Fieldhand

Posts: 16

(06/29/08 23:08:10)

Tags : None

Greetings,

I struggle continuously with temptation, as I'm sure we all do. I can avoid most temptation without too much trouble, but there are a couple of things I get licked by regularly. In my case it's gluttony (I really like sweets), and lust. I just can't seem to stop thinking of women as objects of desire. I feel ashamed about it, but my mind returns to it anyway.

Anyway, I was wondering how others deal with and overcome their own temptations.

shuntmama

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Junior Miller

Posts: 1379

(06/30/08 04:23:00)

1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Pray without ceasing, Pray for strength to overcome.

And ask Father to help you and Trust that He will.

I will keep you in my prayers.,

Love in Christ, sarah

Give ear unto my words, oh Lord, consider my meditation. Psalm

Last Edited By: shuntmama 06/30/08 04:53:33. Edited 1 times.

irishrain

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Junior Master Servant

Posts: 2892

(06/30/08 08:47:11)

Welcome to the real world! We are in the Fleshly, Fall Short bodies, so we all have our little shortcomings. We aren't perfect, all we can do is try. Just repent when you slip up.

Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Luk 21:35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luk 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

shuntmama

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Junior Miller

Posts: 1381

(06/30/08 09:00:41)

irishrain wrote:
Welcome to the real world! We are in the Fleshly, Fall Short bodies, so we all have our little shortcomings. We aren't perfect, all we can do is try. Just repent when you slip up.

Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Luk 21:35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luk 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Well said Irishrain,

Love in Christ, sarah

Give ear unto my words, oh Lord, consider my meditation. Psalm

Yahandme

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Senior Wellmaster

Posts: 589

(06/30/08 11:44:45)

^{Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that enduredth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the
Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Temptation}

^G3986

^{πειρασμός}

^peirasmos

^pi-ras-mos'

^{From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of
evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptation, X try.}

In His precious love,

DeDe

Send forth Your light and Your truth, let themguide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain to the place where You dwell. Psa. 43:3

Last Edited By: Yahandme 06/30/08 17:28:56. Edited 1 times.

alan013

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Senior Tiller

Posts: 188

(06/30/08 13:03:19)

i hear ya skummer. the Lord certainly knew what he was doing when He made the fairer gender. there is really no magical cure that will make that temptation disappear. i will say a prayer for you and all of us that we can fight off temptation.

one thing that helps me if i have a case of "stinking thinking", is to take a really deep breath and consciously say "in with the good Spirit," and when i exhale say "and out with the bad." it's just a little mind trick to stop whatever thought pattern you want to get rid of.

airing out my closet... my big temptation that i give into waaaaayy to often is beer. i really really really like beer. really. i like just about everything about it, except how i feel after i've had too much

but that's a tree that i need to trim.

your brother in Yahshua,

scott

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it,
but because by it I see everything else."
-C. S. Lewis

skooter942000

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Senior Master Servant

Posts: 3165

(06/30/08 17:19:25)

Gal 5:16

¶

[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

I.E. ( . . .the things that you SHOULD)

1Pe 4:1

¶

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Pe 4:2

That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

- Put on the MIND of CHRIST , (and you will do far better)

Last Edited By: skooter942000 06/30/08 17:27:48. Edited 2 times.

YHVH Jireh

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 141

(06/30/08 20:45:09)

Romans 7:14 "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."

Romans 7:15 "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."

Romans 7:16 "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good."

Romans 7:17 "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

Romans 7:18 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good, I find not."

Romans 7:19 "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."

Romans 7:20 "Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."

Romans 7:21 "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."

Romans 7:22 "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:"

Romans 7:23 "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."

Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

Romans 7:25 "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

AMEN!

God Bless
Michael

swig11

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 25

(06/30/08 21:37:32)

alano13..............very funny........for me its Bud heavy. sweet necter that gets me in all kinds of trouble if I let it.........................Scott

2Bchosen

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Senior Fieldhand

Posts: 24

(06/30/08 22:22:59)

Hi Skummer - I have found relief in continual prayer over a particular problem area of my heart. When we truly make Jesus Lord over our life, we desire to please Him, however, we find that we are unable to do so being in the flesh (as Paul wrote "oh wretched man"). Recognizing our sin is a huge step in overcoming it, but I have found that overcoming is when I yield the problem to Him. In other words rather than strive to overcome the problem area myself, every time I encounter the problem area I give it to Him in prayer and repentance. In attempting to take every thought captive to Jesus Christ and praying over these thoughts, I have found that He is writing His Law upon my heart and then one day I wake up and the problem area is not a problem area anymore.... but then, of course, it's on to the next problem area (smile)

God Bless

Skummer

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Junior Fieldhand

Posts: 17

(07/02/08 07:08:24)

Thank you all for your replies.

abbzeq

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Junior Watchman

Posts: 1903

(07/02/08 21:17:10)

Personally Id rather feel lust for the opposite gender than the same.....one is perversion the other is natural.
Its natural for men to think woman are beautiful but just dont get way carried away with it and youll probably be fine=)

If you didnt feel lust for woman on ocassion.....THEN youd know you had a problem=)

Also.....it is very difficult these days for men in that they are fed sexual images of the most beautiful woman in the world everywhere they turn. this situation is particularily difficult for young boys and can cause some very serious emotional problems if not kept in check.
satan uses sexual imagery as a weapon of emotional warfare but I wouldnt get to worried about feelings of lust unless they get way out of control.

swig11

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 28

(07/06/08 11:47:08)

abbzeq..........I do believe we are in agreement on this one. I personally think it would be kind of wierd if men didn't have sexual admirations towards women. Especially now, in the summer.
Not sure how it is in the rest of the country. But up here in the great white north. Women are pretty covered up 8 months of the year. When those short, shorts, and spaghetti straps start walkin around....well....Y'all know what I mean. A man would have to be blind, not to enjoy that sort of thing. It only becomes a problem when that man starts acting upon those feelings. Unwanted advances, etc.....
I do believe the churches that have tried to suppress natural sexual activities with thier clergy have gotten in a little trouble over the years. And our marriage to Christ is spiritual, not physical.............Scott

The Dark Knight

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Senior Master Sickleman

Posts: 1139

(07/06/08 19:30:57)

I think this is a subject that requires personal meditation and reflection in order to achieve a solid understanding. We must also never omit the scriptures from our minds.

Mathew 5:28 - But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

You see, although your actions are important, still, your thoughts and your actions are inexplicabley linked to one another. It is the matters that lay within the heart, which is to say within the mind that are start of everything. If you're mind is kept pure and focused, then these desires of the flesh will leave the conscious mind. Only when one has brought their mind and body under complete control are they a fit servant for God.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

swig11

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 29

(07/06/08 22:27:24)

Not sure if I follow you on this one DK. Is't Matt 5:28 refurring to lusting after another mans wife.? Christ is saying that prior to commiting adultery with a married woman your act of longing for her also made you guilty. Isn't the proper read "whosoever looketh on a married woman to lust..." the word looketh also implies one that keeps looking. This verse most certainly does not apply as you have indicated above. Are you saying that we must over come all attraction for the opposite sex? And that if we don't, we cannot serve Father at a high level? I do believe the Pope thinks that way.......................I sure hope Father doesn't...........I really, really, Reeeeeeeeally like girls. Single, white, anglo-saxon, prodestant....Girls. Or should I say............women..............not talkin sex here. Just admiration.............Girls in there late 30's to mid 40's..........Thats my cup of tea........Scotty

The Dark Knight

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Senior Master Sickleman

Posts: 1140

(07/06/08 22:50:30)

I think you missed the point I was trying to express. There is a difference between lust and admiration. When a man looks on a woman, and starts imagining sexual thoughts about her, then that qualifies as lust.

In the Hebraic mindset, the thoughts behind an action are just as important as the action itself, for the two form a psychological unity. Stop, and think for a moment about Christ's other teachings. Remember what he said about a man being angry with his brother in this same chapter ?

Mathew 5:

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

The reason why Christ mentions the part about being angry with a brother in verse 22 is because if a man stays this way (in anger) against his brother, it will eventually lead to him premeditating his brother's death. The premeditation then leads to lying in wait, and lying in wait leads to the slaying (murdering) of the brother. This is why Christ instructs you in verse 23 to "leave the gift at the alatr", which is another way of saying repent, and remember that your brother hath done nothing against you. By the means of repentance, one's heart (mind) is turned from the anger, and this prevents it from going any further. The same rules here can be applied to lust, fornication, and adultery. It starts with lust within the mind (heart), and eventually leads to the act itself. This is why you're to turn away from the lust when it starts (in the mind). By doing this, it prevents it from going any further.

Also, I will add one more point. The more dedicated you are to serving God, and the more serious your mind is towards him, then the more linked your mind becomes with the mind of the divine. By continuing in thoughts of lust and desires of the flesh, you're damaging the inner relationship between you and Abba. This is why we must learn to bring our bodies under the control of the spirit within as much as possible. It's the spirit within man that God seeks the relationship with, not the flesh or the things of the flesh. If this doesn't make sense, then thats ok. Just put it off to the side, and meditate and pray about it. It will become clear to you in time.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

swig11

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 30

(07/06/08 23:45:24)

DK............I do understand what you are saying. I just don't nessesarily agree with it. That's all. No need to put anything on a shelf until I have a better understanding. No reason for me to have to wait for Father to give me a better understanding of how I can serve him................. I get it..............The subject of this post is about overcoming the sins of the flesh. And the sins of the flesh have little to do with serving Father in the 2nd Advent of Yashua Messiah. Those that are of the free will\elect will fail for a time. Those that are chosen\very elect will not. The sins of the flesh have nothing to do with either group.
I do believe David's relationship with Father taught us that. David sinned greatly in the flesh. David sinned greatly against Father. With the numbering of the troops and all. Yet when we get a discription of the mellinium temple. Who is called out as being the Prince of the Temple? David................

I am not saying that we should all go out a lusting and a sinning. Most certainly not. What I am saying is that we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we fall short. We are in the flesh, and we will all fall short in one way or another. And we also shouldn't be saying that the sins of the flesh have anything to do with our serving father either. Father will use whomever he will, when and where he choses.................Scott

Last Edited By: swig11 07/07/08 11:35:45. Edited 1 times.

MMiller777

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Senior Master Tiller

Posts: 149

(07/07/08 06:38:43)

"""I think you missed the point I was trying to express. There is a difference between lust and admiration. When a man looks on a woman, and starts imagining sexual thoughts about her, then that qualifies as lust. """

Not exactly...some things are natural. PM held up a letter in Q and A once and laughed. He said some of you sure beat yourselves up. Don't worry about that which is natural.

Lust is taking action in an inappropriate way.

If you want some super preacher to put you in bondage…go nuts.

Last Edited By: MMiller777 07/07/08 08:31:56. Edited 1 times.

The Dark Knight

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Senior Master Sickleman

Posts: 1141

(07/07/08 11:34:13)

I think you guys are missing my point, while at the same time I see, and agree with one of yours. I agree that we're not to beat ourselves up for falling short. This is true. We all fall short (God only knows I do it daily). This is the beauty of Christianity, for we have repentance and redemption through Christ. However, the death of Christ does not give us a "license" to sin per say, but gives us the chance to be redeemed when we fall short and screw up. I think we all agree on this part.

As for our sins not having effecting how we serve God, well, to a point I suppose this is correct, but in the larger picture I can see where it is incorrect. I'll try to explain by giving an example, and I'll use the subject material presented here to help illustrate my point.

Suppose you meet someone of the opposite sex, and you're very attracted to them. You talk to them, they like you, and you equally like them back. Everything goes well, and you end up in a relationship together. It's all cool, and no problems. Then, lets suppose one day this person brings up the subject of God, and wants to discuss it with you because they can tell you're a devout Christian, or perhaps they've seen you studying the Bible, or listening to one of Arnold Murray's tapes. Anyhow, they then consider you to be a person with knowledge on this subject, so they regard your opinion with great weight compared to an ordinary person on the subject of God and Christianity. Anyhow, as time passes by this person begins to grow in the word from the seeds you've planted. Then, one day you fall subject to lust, lets say, for someone else, and end up cheating on the person you were in a relationship with, and the person you're in the relationship with finds out about it. They then no longer trust you, and begin to think twice about your "Christian walk" per say, and begin to doubt anything you've stated, and they come to disbelieve in the things you shared with them concerning our Father and his word.

Right there through lust you just aided Satan in destroying and choking the seed of God's word in the heart of one of his children through an act of lust and sin. Sure, it wasn't your intentions to go out of your way, and to cause this to happen, but it happened as a result of your own lust and sin. Therefore, you do hold some sense of responsibility for this.

Before someone interjects and says, "Well, if they were one of God's elect...", please, take this time to go back, and read what I typed. I never implied the person was one of God's elect. Not every person we plant seeds with is God's election, and therefore, they don't all fall under the "they will hear the truth no matter what because they're God's elect" rule.

Remember, we are ambassadors for Christ. We are also suppost to act as such. Think about the wisdom of God through Solomon when he stated the following:

Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth

A man's name is pretty much who he is. Within a person's name is their reputation and character. If we don't take care of our actions, and how we present ourselves, then we shall end up like the following:

Ecclesiastes 10:1 - Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Any folly we commit makes us look bad, and creates distrust within other people in terms of their relationship to us. If the spirit of God is in you, then you not only make yourself look bad, but you also make him look bad.

Do you guys see the point I'm trying to make here ? I'm not denying that sins aren't forgiveable, nor am I saying that every sin we commit is going to seriously impact our relationship with God, or create disaster. What I'm saying is we're to walk as clear of a path as possible, and turn from our sins (repent) when we do fall short. However, we're to try our best not to fall short in our walk with Christ, and always remember that we're to be a light for others, and we're to be an example unto others. Our very actions and deeds are watched by others more closely than we might think, so always keep that in mind. I hope this makes sense.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

Last Edited By: The Dark Knight 07/07/08 11:57:26. Edited 1 times.

The Dark Knight

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Senior Master Sickleman

Posts: 1142

(07/07/08 11:42:12)

swig11 wrote:
Yet when we get a discription of the mellinium temple. Who is called out as being the Prince of the Temple? David................

Yep, and we're given the description of the eternal temple in Revelations chapter 21 as well.

Revelation 21:22 - And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

God and Christ form the temple for the eternity, and we are either in them, or we're not there (eternity) at all. David is put forth often times figuratively for his seedline, which Christ ultimately came through. So, in the bigger picture, it's not David who is the prince, but Christ himself, who is the seed of David.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

The Dark Knight

[-]

Senior Master Sickleman

Posts: 1143

(07/07/08 11:48:31)

BTW, I would like to make something clear. The desire to be with a member of the opposite sex is natural. This is not a sin, no, not in the least bit. I'm merely stating that one must remain conscious of where their mind is dwelling, because the continual longing for something, even if it natrual can distract a person, and allow them to become subject to error. Again, discernment and moderation in all things is a must.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.

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