Overcoming Temptation (Part 2)
Posted on October 31, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
Last week I shared with you that I had the opportunity to share God’s Word at the Colony of Mercy Chapel. I suggested to you that we need to have a battle plan when overcoming temptation and encouraged you to take the first step and that is to Identify Your Area of Weakness.
The second step in our battle plan as see what God’s Word has to say about our area of temptation. How did other men and women handle this in their lives? Were there lessons that were learned because they yielded to the temptation in their life?
The Scripture is filled with principles that will help us see our area of temptation and weakness. We can’t use the cop-out “But you just don’t understand my struggle.” Tell that to David, Moses, Joseph, Abraham, Daniel, and the list goes on and on.
When Jesus did battle with Satan in the wilderness, his first line of defense was this: IT IS WRITTEN (For the Scripture says). Yes, Jesus was tempted in every area just like we are. Satan went after Him with the “trinity of the world” — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It is the same thing he used on Adam and Eve in the garden.
When you and I are facing temptation, we need to have in our battle plan and arsenal of Scripture that we can immediately throw back at the world, the flesh, and the devil and declare: IT IS WRITTEN.
That is why having a consistent daily quiet time in the WORD is so important for us. My friend Dr. Ray Prichard says, “Your best defense against temptation will always be an accurate knowledge of the Word of God. Know it. Read it. Memorize it. Quote it when the devil comes knocking at your door.”
So grab a concordance, either hard copy or go on line. You can visit biblegateway.com and type in the area of weakness and get a list of verses that talk about lust. Print out that list and find those Scriptures in your Bible. Highlight them. Underline them. Memorize them. Write them on 3X5 cards or record them in your journal.
Our Colony residents memorize 120 Bible verses during their 120+day stay. And guess what – we encourage them to do it so that when they face the temptation, the Holy Spirit will bring back those verses to their memory.
We are in this battle – but praise God – “in all these things we can be more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37) Have you identified your area of weakness? Are you willing to check out from God’s Word what He has to say about your temptation? I trust you will join me on this adventure.
Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 150; Proverbs 31
Daily Quote: If you don’t want to trade with the devil, stay out of his shops. – Vance Havner
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: