Topical Study, Resisting Temptation: Avoiding Temptation Part II

Now that we have looked at the Common Causes of Temptation we are going to take a closer look at how we can attempt to AVOID temptation.


The initial overview of this topical study can be found HERE.

Part I of the Common Sources of Temptation  can be found HERE. 

Part II of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part III of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part IV of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE.  

Part V of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 




Part I of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE. 

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Avoid the Wrong Type of Associations

Many of the same verses found under causes of temptation that dealt with wrong associations also apply for the subject of how to avoid temptation.  I will repeat them with a few extra thoughts thrown in.

Ex 23:31-33

• Initial Observations -- God (as He has before and later in the Scriptures) is commanding His people not to make covenants with others to serve other gods and warning His people that this can and will happen if they are NOT careful!
• Cross-references -- Ex 34:12 Ex 34:15 Dt 7:1-5 Ex 23:24 Ps 106:35 2Co 6:15 Nu 25:1-2 Dt 7:16 Jos 23:13 Jdg 2:3

Ps 119:115 

• Initial Observations  --  Here the psalmist is telling the undesirable acquaintances to leave him!  So that he CAN observe God's commandments.  When we keep ourselves around those who sin and entice us to sin it makes it that much harder for us to focus on God.  Our attention cannot be THAT divided!!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 6:8  Mt 4:10  Ps 26:5  Mt 7:23  1Co 15:33  Jos 24:15 

 

Pr 4:14-15

• Initial Observations -- Fairly straight forward verses!  Here we see that it is best for us not to even ENTER the path of the wicked. The words "path" and "way" are often used metaphorically to describe one's personal journey or patterns. Especially the word "way". We should also take special note of the verses that directly precede this warning: Pr 4:11-13 God gives us the way to avoid the path of the evil! We are to pay heed to His instruction and not let it go! Jos 1:6-9
• Cross-references: -- Ps 1:1 Pr 1:15 Pr 1:10 Pr 2:11-12 Pr 13:20 Ps 26:4-5 Pr 5:8 Eph 5:1

1Co 15:33

• Initial Observations -- This is one of the most straight forward statements in Scripture regarding this subject. Paul makes it very clear: "bad company corrupts good morals." An absolutely stern and serious warning that we must watch the company we keep!
• Cross-references -- Col 2:4 1Co 6:9 Mt 24:4 Mt 24:24 (even the elect are prone to being misled!) Eph 5:6-7 1Co 5:6 Pr 13:20 2Ti 2:16-18 2Pe 2:2 Rev 2:2 2Th 3:6 1Co 5:9-11 (this is interesting! Maybe worth exploring?)
• Commentaries -- The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: Remind us that in context, Paul was specifically discussing the effects of WRONG DOCTRINE or those who preach wrong doctrine, on our own faith!

2Co 6:14-16

• Initial Observations -- Paul is again, very clear here. I think it is important to look at the words "bound together". Elsewhere, Paul reminds us that we will have some associations with unbelievers: 1Co 5:9-11 (his warning in these verses is with regards to so-called "brothers in the faith" who are on the immoral path.) So what does the term "bound together" mean?
• Terms -- "bound together"= to be unequally yoked. (coupled together) So it means unequally bound together! Unequal because of the difference in belief? This is interesting!! Definitely deserves some more attention!! Another term to look at is "fellowship". Which means=sharing or participation!
• Cross-references -- Dt 22:10 ?? 1Co 5:9 1Jn 1:6 Dt 7:2-3 Ps 139:21-22 Pr 29:27 1Co 10:21 Mt 11:29-30
• Commentaries -- The Believer's Bible Commentary: Tells us that Paul is referring to Dt 22:10 The Ox is considered a clean animal and the donkey unclean. They also had different gaits and would not work well together. This commentary also tells us that Paul is not only referring to marriage but also business or any of our relationships. How encompassing is Paul's point?? This is an important verse that needs a study of its own!! Matthew Henry: Seems a little less conservative in his view BUT at the same time he takes Paul's words VERY seriously! Henry uses the word mingle quite often in his commentary on this verse. Life Application Study Bible: Does state that business relationships are being referred to in this verse but with the caveat that we should avoid those relationships that would cause us to "compromise our faith."

Thoughts and Application

• God is very clear. We must not make covenants with those who would try to lead astray from God. Paul states we should not be "bound together".
• However, what does that mean? I do know God has put some people in my life who are not believers who are great friends of mine. And none of them have tried to lead me away from God (to the best of my knowledge). I understand the necessity of mutual belief in the marriage covenant!  But what about friendship with non-believers? I still feel that this is somewhat unclear (or it is clear and I am just not seeing it!??)
• I do see that we can not let ourselves be led astray by peer pressure or wrong associations. I do feel that this specific subject (especially 2Co 6:14-16 ) needs a closer look!
• It is also important to remember that in the end WE cause OURSELVES to sin!  We need to avoid wrong associations but they are not to blame for the eventual sin...we ARE!

Bibliography

• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Hanke, Howard A. The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Companion. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Strong, James. Strong's Concordance. Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Strong, James. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 
• MacDonald, William, Believer's Bible Commentary.  Nashville, TN:  Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.
• Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.
• Henry, Matthew.  Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.   Public Domain.