Temptation - part II

Yesterday i said that i would share the four strategies that the Bible gives to avoid temptation. Here they are... The second half of yesterdays scripture lesson...

Do a Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11... KNOW YOUR BIBLE. There is a reason why it was one only weapon of offence in Paul's spiritual armour.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil… "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down.
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Do a Solomon - Proverbs 22:3... See the temptation coming and AVOID IT. Be smart, if you know what activities will occur in your future (and you don't/shouldn't be a part of it), then take action to NOT BE THERE!

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Do a Joseph - Genesis 39:12... RUN! There's no shame in being a coward in respect to our interaction with temptation.

One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

Do a Paul - Philippians 4:8... Check your THOUGHT life. The hardest strategy. If you fill your head up with violence, sex, swearing and gossip by being exposed to it constantly, then don't be surprised when you gravitate towards these things. It's the Garbage In, Garbage Out principal.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.