The document discusses ways to defeat temptation based on biblical principles. It recommends (1) refocusing your attention elsewhere when tempted, (2) revealing struggles to godly friends who can support and pray for you, and (3) resisting the devil by relying on God's strength and using the Bible as a weapon through Scripture. The overall message is that there is always a way to overcome temptation through focusing on God rather than the temptation itself.

1. DEFEATING
TEMPTATION
Section 27 page 209-216
Sunday 31 October 2010

2. 2 TIM. 2:22 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.
Sunday 31 October 2010

3. 1 Cor 10:13
No temptation has seized
you except what is common
to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you
can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide
a way out so that you can
stand up under it.
Sunday 31 October 2010

4. THERE IS
ALWAYS A WAY
OUT
Sunday 31 October 2010

5. There is always a way out - God
has promised not to allow more
than you can handle.
But there is a biblical pattern for
defeating temptation.
Sunday 31 October 2010

6. REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION
TO SOMETHING ELSE
The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation -
but you should resist the devil! They are two
differing things.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you.
Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the
wrong thing and strengthens it.
The Bible does
not tell you to
resist
temptation
Sunday 31 October 2010

7. REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION
TO SOMETHING ELSE
The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation -
but you should resist the devil! They are two
differing things.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you.
Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the
wrong thing and strengthens it.
Sunday 31 October 2010

8. Warren says blocking a
thought out of your mind is
simply a way of driving it
deeper into your memory - so
resisting it is simply
reinforcing it. In effect you
strengthen it every time you
think of it.
Temptation usually begins
with a thought - so the best
way to neutralise it is by
turning your mind elsewhere -
change channels.
This is the first step in
defeating temptation.
Sunday 31 October 2010

9. The battle against sin is won
or lost in your mind
Ps 119:37 - Turn my eyes
away from worthless things;
Job 31:1 -
Watch people yawn and...?
Watch an advert for food
and...?
Suggestion is powerful, you
move towards what you fix
your attention on - the more
you think of it the stronger it
becomes.
Sunday 31 October 2010

10. If you keep speaking to yourself
about an area you need victory
over in effect you strengthen
that area.
Temptation captures your
attention - then arouses your
emotion - which activates your
behaviour - and so you act on
what you feel.
Ignoring a temptation is far
more effective than fighting it -
your mind is on something else
so it loses power. Warren says if
temptation calls you on the
phone - hang up.
Sunday 31 October 2010

11. This might mean physical action -
leaving a room.
Spiritually your mind is most open
to temptation - so fill it with God’s
word
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with good.
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers,
who share in the heavenly calling,
fix your thoughts on Jesus, the
apostle and high priest whom we
confess.
2 Tim 2:8, Php 4:8
Sunday 31 October 2010

12. Serious temptation resisters
manage their mind and media
intake.
Prov 4:23 TEV
2 Cor 10:5
Practice - and ask the HS to help
you - then there is a chance of
survival or even overcoming.
Sunday 31 October 2010

13. REVEAL YOUR STRUGGLE TO A
GODLY FRIEND OR SUPPORT
GROUP
Ecc 4:9-10
Do not tell everyone, just someone.
If it is a persistent sin, bad habit etc. You will
not master it alone - you need other people to
help you. This person can pray, encourage and
hold you accountable.
James 5:16 -Therefore confess your sins to
each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective.
Sunday 31 October 2010

14. Warren suggests that if
you want to be free of sin
or habits - confess it,
reveal it. Hiding
intensifies the situation,
bringing it into the light
makes it shrink.
Satan wants you to think
your problems and
temptations are unique -
but all have sinned and all
need setting free.
Pride is what stops us
dealing with these things.
Sunday 31 October 2010

15. Warren suggests that if
you want to be free of sin
or habits - confess it,
reveal it. Hiding
intensifies the situation,
bringing it into the light
makes it shrink.
Satan wants you to think
your problems and
temptations are unique -
but all have sinned and all
need setting free.
Pride is what stops us
dealing with these things.
What are you pretending isn’t a problem in
your life?
What are you afraid to talk about?
It is humbling to admit our weaknesses to
others - but remember,
But he gives more grace. Therefore it
says, "God opposes the proud, but gives
grace to the humble." Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you.
Sunday 31 October 2010

16. RESIST THE DEVIL
Submit yourselves
therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and
he will flee from
you.
We have to fight back -
the NT uses the image of
battle, words like
conquer, strive, fight,
overcome.
How do we do this?
Sunday 31 October 2010

17. Eph. 6:17 Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.
Accept God’s salvation - say yes to
Christ and you can say no to the
devil.
Use the WOG as your weapon
against satan - consider how Jesus
did this, Luke 4:1ff
The devil is better at arguing than
you are - logic and opinion mean
nothing to him, on the WOG is
effective.
Sunday 31 October 2010

18. REALISE YOUR
VULNERABILITY
Don’t get too clever -
remember you are in God’s
strength, not your own.
Jer 17:9 The heart is
deceitful above all things
and beyond cure. Who can
understand it?
In the right situation any of
us is capable of sin - keep
your guard up at all times
Sunday 31 October 2010

19. Prov 14:16 The wise are
cautious and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with
reckless confidence.
1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think
you are standing firm, be
careful that you don't fall!
(TM) Don't be so naive and
self-confident. You're not
exempt. You could fall flat
on your face as easily as
anyone else. Forget about
self-confidence; it's
useless. Cultivate God-
confidence.
Sunday 31 October 2010

20. Point to Ponder:
There is always a way out.
Sunday 31 October 2010

21. Verse to remember:
1 Cor 10:13
No temptation has seized you except
what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a
way out so that you can stand up under
it.
Sunday 31 October 2010

22. Question to consider:
Who could I ask to be a spiritual
partner to help me defeat a
persistent temptation by praying for
me?
Sunday 31 October 2010