Chai Listens To: How to Win Over Persistent Temptations by Rick Warren
Another great Podcast to listen to. As someone who's struggling with pornography because I'm justifying that it is much safer than satisfying my lust with a real person, it really does something in my brain that makes me feel it's not right. Sharing with you the notes I learned from it.
Understand How Temptations Works
Don't be ignorant of how Satan is tempting you. He has a predictable pattern of how he tempts you
Temptation comes from something from your life that is wrong and you shouldn't do it
To have desires met in our lives in the wrong way or at the wrong time, became a temptation
Temptation takes something routine in your life and turns it into a runaway
Any desire that is out of control becomes destructive even if it is a good desire
2. Don't Doubt God's Words
Satan will try to get you to question God's words
He substitute the doubt to a deception (Desire > Doubt > Deception)
Every sin you commit, there's a lie to validate it
3. Knows What Makes You Vulnerable To Sin
Anytime you have a negative emotion, you give Satan a foothold
Above all else, guard your heart
To defeat temptation, don't focus on your behavior but on your thoughts that will call the emotion or give in to whatever you desire
Satan is an emotional manipulator
4. Learn Patterns of Temptations
Understand those patterns to look at problems in advance and you can avoid situations that cause the situation
The wise man looks ahead, a fool tries to fool himself
Questions to ask yourself when being tempted:
When I'm most tempted (time day or night)
Where I'm tempted (room)
Who is with me when I'm tempted (when alone)
What is causing me to say Yes to temptation (temporary pleasure in temptation)
How do I feel right after being tempted (emotional triggers)
5. The Principle of Replacement
Don't let evil conquer but conquer evil with good
Temptation starts in your mind
Stages of temptation: Attention > Arousal > Action
6. Admit your Fault to Each Other and Pray for Each Other
God wired the world in a way that we get healed when we tell people why we are hurting or what we are struggling with
7. The Importance of Accountability Partner
By helping each other with your troubles, you obey the law of Christ, which is love your neighbors
8. Remember God is in your side
He will let you win, just let him pull the strings
When temptations come into your life remember that there is no difference from what others commonly experience.
God is faithful. He will show you a way out so you will be able to withstand it
The solution to the stuff you want to change in your life is not willpower but it is He gives us victory through Jesus Christ