How to Deal with...Temptation

Hey Girls!!! I am so excited that fall is finally here in the Northwest!! The colors are absolutely breathtaking! I love taking in God's mighty creation in all of its splendid fall colors of red,orange, pink, yellow and so many more, the list could go on and on. I have to admit I am a little bit obsessed.... okay maybe majorly obsessed with the fall season!! It reminds me of how amazing my Heavenly Father is, even though our seasons change, our God never changes, he is faithful, majestic, and unchanging, yes I am repeating myself, I am just so inspired and in love with the Creator of the universe!!! Fall just reminds me of this promise!! Well lets get into what I am actually suppose to be discussing or I could write a whole post on why fall is so amazing."okay, okay...focus Natasha....." So today we are going to talk about what every believer and nonbeliever faces, but the best part is that as believers we have God's word to help us in tempting situations. If we look at Genesis 3:1-13 it is the event that explains the fall of Adam and Eve. Lets take a look.

• Genesis 3:1-13 (NLT)

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a] and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

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So, you can see Adam and Eve fell for Satan's lies as well as play the blame game, This is how sin entered the world, through man wanting to be like God and listening to our own desires and giving into them, as it says later on in this chapter their eyes where opened but not in the way that they thought, but instead their eyes were open, and they felt ashamed of being naked and what they had done. Girls, sins starts with temptation. Do you think God was surprised about what Adam and Eve did?, No, he wasn't for he already knew that this would happen, and he had a plan already laid out. One important thing I have learned about God is that he wants a relationship with us he doesn't want to control us as if we were robots, but he wants us to seek him. Sin is caused by a choice we make and leads to guilt. Also, did you notice how Adam blamed Eve and in turn she blamed the Serpent (Satan). Girls,this is so true in our own situations. We don't what to admit when we have done something wrong, so we play the blame game. When we allow sin to take control of us it damages relationships with others and God, causing even more sin. I want to encourage you by saying this in the words of  www.gotquestions.org,  "Temptation, by its very nature, feels wrong. God's moral law is written in the heart of every human being (check it out! Romans 1:20), and when a sinful temptation is introduced, our consciences immediately sense danger. However, the temptation itself is not the sin." so true! even Jesus was tempted, (check it out! Matthew 4:1-11) but the difference between the temptation of Adam and Eve and Jesus was, that they gave into the temptation, but Jesus resisted by using the power of God's word. Girls, we can either chose to given into the sin of temptation or we can respond the same way Jesus did by using the power of scripture to overcome temptation and defy it, but sadly, Satan is not the only one who can tempt us, read the verses below.

• James 1:14-16 (NLT)

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

Yup, we can stumble into temptation by our own desires, girls this is a tough one even for myself, we all have sinful desires, We allow ourselves to think certain thoughts, allow ourselves to go places we should not go, and make decisions based on our lusts that lead us into the temptation. Can you think of a time when your own desires caused you to stumble and you gave into that desire? this is hard question I am asking you girls to answer, because it means you need to put aside your pride, and realize when there was a sinful temptation that you acted upon or when a sinful thought entered your mind that caused you to stumble. Girls, I have struggled with this so much, so realize that you are not alone, all of us face temptation. This next thing I am going to ask of you is going to cause you to dig deep inside of your heart and mind, it my not be a pretty picture but it will be worth it in the end. I want to challenge you to be humble and really dig deep, again putting aside all pride, write down what you have discovered about temptations and sin you did, I mean every detail, having a hard time? ask God to make the temptations and sin clear to you, with a heart of humility,I encourage you to PRAY. He will answer, and whatever he reveals to you bring it humbly before our King ask Him for forgiveness. Rebuild your relationship with Him. He is waiting.

• Proverbs 29:23 (NLT) Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

• Proverbs 22:4 (NLT) True humility and fear of the Lord 
  lead to riches, honor, and long life.

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Girls, I hope I have help you with the guidance of God's word, to realize how important it is to deal with temptation, to realize that we have a choice, to choose what is right, by staying alert and equipping ourselves with the power of God's living word to resist temptation from Satan, and our own desires. I want to wrap this up by providing a quick and powerful 6 step tool that we can use to prepare and train ourselves for this spiritual battle. Lets go!!

• Ephesians 6:12-18 (NLT)

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

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6 Steps to Resisting Temptation: from  www.compellingtruth.org/overcome-temptation

1. Run: 2 Timothy 2:22 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

 Stay away from the evil things a young person like you typically wants to do. Do your best to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with others who trust in the Lord with pure hearts.

2. Respond with Truth: Ephesians 6:14 English Standard Version (ESV) 

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness...

• we are urged to put on the belt of truth for our own deliverance from temptation, as well as for the benefit of those to whom we witness.
• truth here is talking about responding to temptation with Scripture.

3. Call for Backup: Ecclesiastes 4:12 New Living Translation (NLT)

 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

•  we need to encouraged and willing to reach out to fellow believers for help before the repentance is needed.

4. Abide: Galatians 5:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

• If we love God and abide in Him by seeking to do His will, running to Him when we're in trouble will come naturally.
• If we surrender the passions of our flesh because we value God more, the temptations won't call quite so sweetly. And it's likely we won't put ourselves into a place where we can be easily tempted.

5. Know the Truth: Psalm 119:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

• When you have a chance read, Psalm 119 it is the longest chapter in the bible but it is dedicated to the blessings of knowing God's Word. If you don't know the truth, you can't use it later to help get you out of a sticky situation.

6. Have a community:  Proverbs 27:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. 

Hebrews 3:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 

 Hebrews 10:24 New Living Translation (NLT)

 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

• Jesus established the church for very specific reasons. One of them is so that believers won't have to fight alone.
•  Connecting with believers is so that we can encourage each other daily. If we do, friends won't be too far away when temptation strikes.

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So in closing lets finish with  www.compellingtruth.org/overcome-temptations last paragraph. Self-control is from the Holy Spirit. Protection from the enemy is from God. But when we follow His word, we join in His work. God has laid out specific actions we can take to overcome temptation. It's up to us to take them. Girls,are you ready to take action?