"Growing through Temptation" |
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"Growing through Temptation" |
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Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.
Temptation simply provides the choice.
Temptation for the spiritually committed serves as a stepping-stone not a
stumbling block.
Temptation is Satan's primary weapon to destroy you but- God wants to use it to develop you.
When you choose to do what is right instead of sinning, you are growing in the character of Christ.
What are the character qualities of Christ?
| “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) |
To have the fruit of the Spirit is to be like Christ.
How does the Holy Spirit produce these nine fruit in your life?
Instantly?
Fruit always matures and ripens slowly.
God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the
exact opposite quality!
Character development always involves a choice -and temptation provides that opportunity.
How does temptation work?
1. Desire…
Temptation does not lie around us, but God says it begins within us!
| “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.” Mark 7:21-23 (NLT) |
2. Doubt…
Satan tries to get you to doubt God’s love and plan for you… sin… your worth etc.
| “Watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12 (CEV) |
3. Deception…
Satan is not capable of telling the truth and is called “the Father of all lies.”
4. Disobedience…
What began as a thought gets birthed as a behavior.
| “We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear friends!” James 1:14-16 (TEV) |
Overcoming Temptation:
Refuse to be intimidated.
Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it.
Request God’s help.
