When you’re feeling tempted get out ASAP! Don’t dwell on or ponder it because the longer you dwell on it the lower your resistance becomes and the more likely you are to fall to your temptation. You don’t just fall into temptation, it’s a three step process. First it comes into your mind, then you dwell on and consider it, and then because of our sinful nature you usually fall to it as you convince yourself that it’s alright because Jesus still loves and will forgive you. You can’t consider your temptation and consequently fall to it if you immediately dismiss it from the start. When you feel tempted find someone you can talk to, and/ or distract yourself by doing something else. (If you want my number or email feel free to inbox me.) I felt tempted about 10 minutes ago, but I knew that if I dwelled on it I’d end up falling, so I got myself out of that spot. I went downstairs, got food, and then came back to make this post. Maybe this is the Lord speaking to me, or maybe this is for someone else, I’m not sure, but know that you can beat this thing. The key is to get out ASAP, don’t dwell on it because that will lead to your downfall.
I remember my youth pastor gave a message on fleeing temptation and not trying to stand up and fight it on our own. Jesus directly tells us in 2 Timothy 2:22 to “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” The Bible doesn’t typically tell us to run away from our problems, but this time He does. If God, our creator, the one who knows us better than anyone else tells us to flee, then we have to know that to flee is in our best interest. God created us, He knows us better than we know oureslves, He knows our downfalls and lustful tendencies, so when He tells us to flee, lets flee. He knows what He’s talking about, lets take His advice and flee from our temptations, not dwell on them.
Oh and another thing, althought God will always love and forgive you, you cannot use that as your “sin and get away with it” card, don’t abuse His unconditional love and forgiveness. When we go to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and repent of our sins, you’re telling the Lord that you’re sorry and will try your hardest to not do it again. Are you truly repenting if you just slip back into your sin without even giving it a fight.? In a sense you’re actually lying to the Lord, then you wonder why you feel as is you’re not getting closer to Him. You can’t expect to get closer to the Lord if you’re only partially sold out to Him. It’s one thing to believe in the Lord, but it’s another thing to completely surrender you life to Him and to live by His word; it’s an all or nothing type thing. Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:14-16 He’d rather us be cold (not believing at all) or hot (completely sold out) than to be lukewarm; only partially in the game.
*****He also says those who are lukewarm get spit out of His mouth...probably not the best situation to be in, just saying.
God I pray that you will help us to get out ASAP whenever we fell tempted, help us to flee, and not dwell. I also pray that you help us to not abuse you unconditional love and forgiveness. Help us to learn the true meaning of repentance and help us to be completely sold out to you, make us hot and not lukewarm, in Jesus’s name I pray, amen.
The second and third paragraphs were spirit led, I only planned to write the first one but as usual the Lord took over. I think there are two main messages here: fleeing temptation, and not abusing the Lord’s unconditional love and forgiveness. If you feel that either of those are for you and feel you need help or prayer the ask box is open :) Or maybe neither of these messages were for you, the ask box is open to you too :) I’m praying for you all! Love you all &be blessed :)
As I was reading this I noticed I used a lot of “you”, I do that to make it more personal, but please don’t feel that I’m attacking or condemning anyone, as my youth pastor says, I’m preaching to myself too.
