How Do You Resist Temptation?

[Sower]

2 hours ago, Josheb said:

Paul uses the word "tribulation," but a passage similar to James' opening comments can be found in at the beginning of Romans 5 and again by Peter in the opening of his second epistle. 

 Very informative  post, and didn't have to look up but one word. Like a schematic, of how it works.

 

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5   

 

[Fidei Defensor]

6 minutes ago, Sower said:

 Very informative  post, and didn't have to look up but one word. Like a schematic, of how it works.

 

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5   

 

That is well said and worthy brother.  

[wingnut-]

In regards to the concept of work and how it is a means to avoiding temptation, I wanted to share a few things that I have observed or experienced in this manner.  It may or may not address what Abrielle had in mind, so I hope I'm not stealing his thunder.

 

II Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

 

When a person is idle, it becomes a breeding ground for doing non-constructive things, which Paul touches on when he speaks of busybodies.  This is often coupled in scripture with gossips and slanderers, people who are busy doing things they ought not to be doing.  When we keep ourselves busy in a constructive way, such as work, or providing for our families as we should, then we are not causing issues.

[Sower]

1 hour ago, Josheb said:

This is of particular interest to me because I work with men both professionally and in lay capacities and one of the things I find positively but incompletely asserted in men's teachings to men about men is this idea of work. God assigned work in Eden. Work has been an inherently constituent component of creation and humanity's duty (and means of worship, love, and adoration) to God, but that labor was enjoined by both males and females.

"Work is the best narcotic"  (physical mental spiritual)

I quote this often, as a remedy for what ails me.
When I spend too much time thinking, or morbid introspection,
those unwanted thoughts slip in. Work helps inhibit that.
Sweat and labor provides a peaceful/restful sleep come bed time, for me.
(Or siesta:)     And I remembered,
God worked six days and said it was good. Then took a rest.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him"  Colossians 3:17

[Walter and Deborah]

On 7/27/2020 at 6:23 AM, johnthebaptist said:

There might be those who agree with the statement that it isn’t always easy to resist the temptation to sin. Any ideas on the subject?

@johnthebaptist  Yes, I do agree to this statement, but I have learned to go to the scriptures for any temptation, such as: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 

Proverbs 28:13

Even now! with 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16

I have also learned that, I need Jesus Christ for my deliverance all the time.

Meaning for me is to take heed to His commandments and do them all the days of my life would be an idea to this subject, I think.

But what do you think?

Love, Walter

Edited July 28, 2020 by Walter and Deborah
More info.

[johnthebaptist]

23 minutes ago, Walter and Deborah said:

@johnthebaptist  Yes, I do agree to this statement, but I have learned to go to the scriptures for any temptation, such as: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 

Proverbs 28:13

Even now! with 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

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. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:16

I have also learned that, I need Jesus Christ for my deliverance all the time.

Meaning for me is to take heed to His commandments and do them all the days of my life would be an idea to this subject, I think.

But what do you think?

Love, Walter

The problem I've run into in recent years is boredom. Sometimes I have difficulty overcoming it. How does one do that?

[Walter and Deborah]

1 hour ago, johnthebaptist said:

The problem I've run into in recent years is boredom. Sometimes I have difficulty overcoming it. How does one do that?

@johnthebaptist  

But you have done one time or another ? 

As I have before and now and then, but as I do, I think and would do these things searching the scriptures with Bing, google, etc. read newspapers for current events, prophecy, etc. watch certain movies edifying for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding towards the kingdom of God.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

If I still find myself bored after the above, but before I would get tired or sleepy, I meditate on certain things like what the LORD maybe saying about this or that, mostly whatever He would have me to do about a certain issue to overcome it.

But have you ever come across an issue you had to overcome? if so, did you use any of the above methods to solve it?

Walter

Edited July 28, 2020 by Walter and Deborah
More info.

[johnthebaptist]

1 hour ago, Walter and Deborah said:

@johnthebaptist  

But you have done one time or another ? 

As I have before and now and then, but as I do, I think and would do these things searching the scriptures with Bing, google, etc. read newspapers for current events, prophecy, etc. watch certain movies edifying for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding towards the kingdom of God.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 

If I still find myself bored after the above, but before I would get tired or sleepy, I meditate on certain things like what the LORD maybe saying about this or that, mostly whatever He would have me to do about a certain issue to overcome it.

But have you ever come across an issue you had to overcome? if so, did you use any of the above methods to solve it?

Walter

I've looked at Philippians 4:8 in the past but it didn't seem helpful. I am still a work in progress, so I can only speculate. It could be a two-fold process. First, we must keep evil thoughts out of our heads. It is possible they blind us to the life the Lord offers. And then we must walk with the Lord and find the life the Lord offers.

[Walter and Deborah]

2 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

I've looked at Philippians 4:8 in the past but it didn't seem helpful. I am still a work in progress, so I can only speculate. It could be a two-fold process. First, we must keep evil thoughts out of our heads. It is possible they blind us to the life the Lord offers. And then we must walk with the Lord and find the life the Lord offers.

@johnthebaptist Sir, I would steady with similar scriptures, but please, if you will, be sure to ask, what would the Lord have you to do about that verse, like for an example in Philippians 4:8, ok?  we will be in prayer for you. Can we know your name?

Love, Walter

Edited July 28, 2020 by Walter and Deborah
More info.

[Abrielle]

@johnthebaptist

I said i would reply later, hence here i am. I will answer to your original post as a whole, instead of just explaining what i meat by "work".

It is not easy to resist temptation, but it is possible. The difficulty sometimes starts right here: to acknowledge that it is possible. It requires trust. If we believe it is possible, then we trust that Jesus proved to be possible to endure temptation and win; we trust that we are not tempted beyond our limits; we trust that it won't last forever; we trust that, even during a hard moment of heavy darkness, we are not alone. During these episodes, we do feel alone, we are tempted to doubt, we are told that it doesn't matter, that if God cared for us we wouldn't be in such situation. We have many intrusive thoughts that are made to be felt so heavily that they seem to be truth, making us believe that is our heart's desire to go in that direction. But in our trust, that comes from our walking with God and having a close relation with Him, we hold onto our reasoning, where we keep the Love for God and the need to share of His righteousness. During temptation our feelings and intrusive thoughts will be all over the place. We must be fine with the idea of not feeling good, we must be ready and open to not fall for our feelings and desires, we must hold onto a mind strengthened by God's Word. It takes sometime to our feelings match our reasoning again, until then, it is our mind, our storage of God's Word, our memory of the decisions made when feelings weren't pushing us away, that will guide us to the end of temptation. In our daily life we must feed the right side, to be prepared for harder times.
Enduring temptation requires what it also gives: trust, perseverance, love.

When i say that work is a great way to avoid temptation, i say it because most temptations don't come as a flashlight to strike us. For instance (here goes an imbecile example: ) imagine i have a problem with chocolate and i must not eat chocolate for a while. i will have the impulse to think about it, as it is my habit to eat it, but my desire will only grow if i think about it a second time, because this time i would be thinking about it willingly. I must build a block between my impulse and my will. If instead of nurturing the impulsive thought i am able to build that block, i will not get close to growth the desire for chocolate.

A mind that solves problems, that creates, studies, communicates and produces something, is a mind that knows that edifying activities bring pure satisfaction. It is a mind with plenty to think, instead of indulging in impulses.

The 4th Commandment it's not just "rest on the 7th day", it says: work six days. The 10 Commandments is a concise manual for perfect functioning.
The joy of being productive helps to fulfil our desire for satisfaction. We live in times that leisure is seen as a virtue. Doing nothing while numbing our minds watching rubbish on television is a owned right, (after a meaningless day of work). It harms us and decreases our ability to substitute intrusive thoughts/impulses while seeking for satisfaction.

Our satisfaction comes from a close relationship with God. He created us in His own image so we are also a productive kind, we should find pure hobbies and interests. While working on them we can reflect on God, the same way Jesus did with His parables.  

This is what i meant by that short sentence. (And by work i don't mean a job. I hope it was clear that i relate work with edifying activities that produce something, and not necessarily the relation job-income.)

Edited September 25, 2020 by Abrielle