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| Overcoming Temptation - - Yes it's Possible |
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 Overcoming Temptation - - Yes I Can!
2007 was the toughest year for me ever when it comes to fleshly temptations. I have never fought so hard and so often as I did last year. Quite honestly, I lost some battles, but Praise God he gave me strength to endure even when I didn't want to. There were times in my mind that I just wanted to give in and enjoy a little sin.... Tell somebody what I really thought of them...Drown my problems in the bottom of a wine glass...and yes - - capture the attention of someone new.
I just wanted to escape the pain of the battle I had been fighting. Pain was there because I was injured. I had been wounded. During my time of healing the devil was constantly taunting me in my mind ..."Sin would be a nice diversion from this awful mess God has you in." Here's where I failed - I gave the devil my attention - - only for a moment - - but that was all it took. Why would I listen? Because the devil spoke a measure of truth - - always has. He mixes the truth with his deceit. THe truth is - Sin has it's HayDay!
11:25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Let's be bluntly honest, SIN can be fun - - but then when you receive the bill - - when the billing cycles revolves, there is Hell to pay! We have to choose a fun moment or a rich and righteous LIFE! I choose LIFE! I choose for myself and for my family - - and for everyone who I have helped lead to Jesus...Life is good!
30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed;
Before anyone let's their imagination run away with them...the battles I lost were the thoughts I entertained and not completion of any ethical or moral sin. Here's where I know we mess up. Anytime we entertain doubt and fear - - a seed of disobedience is planted. PLEASE READ THIS SCRIPTURE...
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live.
You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.
We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
Ephesians 2:1 Message
I am so grateful I did not lose sight of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus and kept pressing on (Phillipians 3:14) and as a result - - the war continues but now I am strong again! I sincerely believe God allowed some of these temptations so I would understand and have more compassion for others who commit 'terrible sins.'
What kept me from Stumbling and Falling? Well, this is so easy...the Holy Spirit was/is the key. Had I not had the Holy Spirit to keep me - my life would be a lot different right now. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and teacher. By allowing the Holy Spirit to "Know my Heart and test my anxious thoughts" (Psalm 139:23) I was able to be cleansed by the washing of the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). I stand in Victory and walk in the RIghteousness of Christ (Romans 5:17).
To God be the Glory!
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Gene |
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March 25, 2008 at 8:38pm |
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Praise God for your great year!
Overcoming can be fun too! |
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KitKat |
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March 25, 2008 at 8:40pm |
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| Wow Gene - thanks for pointing that out! 2008 has been loaded up with the benefits of overcoming! |
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KitKat |
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March 25, 2008 at 10:21pm |
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| Thanks Mary. I have learned masks don't help anyone. When I am transparent it is so others can see the way a little more clearly. Jesus of course is the way - not Kathy - but hopefully I can show how I struggled and overcame and hopefully this will help others to not be ashamed to reach out when they need help. |
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| So refreshing KitKat.. thank you for your honesty and openess! We all need to be encouraged to run this race with perserverence. |
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KitKat |
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March 25, 2008 at 11:51pm |
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Thanks Carol. Perseverance - that's a great word choice! It is a big word full of power.
per·se·ver·ance: –noun | 1. | steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life the God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
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GREAT WORD... and great references....Just what I needed to here today... like Carebear says run the good race. Or fight the good fight even if it is in you own mind.
Thanks for blessing me today.... sing on sister |
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Deb |
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March 26, 2008 at 12:17pm |
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| I heard this verse today...resist the devil and he will flee from you...how easy is that? Ah, but sin can be fun, and then that makes it a bit more difficult to resist...but like you said, there is hell to pay when we do fall into temptation. Great blog! |
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