Topical Study, Resisting Temptation: Avoiding Temptation Part IV and V

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. 


Part II of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE.  
Part III 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!)

Be honest with ourselves about our own sinful weaknesses

Ps 19:12

• Initial Observations  --  We have blind spots!  All of us.  We need to ask to God to make us aware of them so that we can correct them through His grace and His strength!  God will show them to us, gently and clearly!  He has for me!  And although it can be difficult at times, (to really see one's faults)  being corrected by God is an amazing thing.  Because God will show you the fault and give you the correction!  He is loving and will not leave us out there to flail about in the wind!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 139:23-24  Ps 90:8  Ps 51:1-2  1Co 4:4 

Ps 139:23-24 

• Initial Observations  --  WHAT a beautiful prayer!!  I think it speaks for itself!  God please look into my soul and if there be any hurtful way in me change my course to the correct way, YOUR way!!  WOW.  I love these verses!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 26:2  Ps 16:11  Ps 143:10  Jer 17:10  !  Ps 143:8  Jn 14:6  !!

Mt 5:29-30

• Initial Observations  --  We should not tolerate sin in ourselves!  (not tolerating is different than beating ourselves up about...it is a fine line)  But when we are made aware of a weakness we must do our best to rid ourselves of it, as one weakness can ruin our entire selves if we let it!  We must pray to God to help us overcome our tendencies!
• Cross-references --  Mt 18:7-9   Mk 9:47  Mt 5:22  Ro 6:6  Ro 8:13  1Co 9:27  Gal 5:24   Mt 18:7 
• Commentaries  --  The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:    Seems to imply that Jesus may have been using these verses to show how futile it is to blame an individual appendage or part of our body as sin comes from our hearts!!  Based on other things that Jesus has said I think this might be the case.  But I also think He is making the point that nothing is worth losing our entire soul over.

2Co 12:7-9 

• Initial Observations  --  I included this section as it shows how aware Paul was of his own weaknesses so therefore he was able to pray about them directly!  Awareness is key!  It doesn't matter what the "thorn" was!  It just matters that Paul was observant enough to notice exactly what it was AND to pray to God about it! 

Thoughts and Applications:

• It is good to pray for correction!  The psalmists show us to pray to God to show us our blind spots!  And then we should pray for guidance and strength to correct them so that we can be further improved.  None of this happens without God illuminating our weakness and then giving us the tools and strength to correct them.  If we are not aware of (or honest with ourselves regarding) our weaknesses how can we expect to be prepared for temptation???

Discipline (self-control)

Pr 16:32   

• Initial Observations  --  Although this and the next verse ( Ecc 7:9 )  are dealing mostly with anger I still think they are important as anger can easily lead to sin!  (all we need to see is Cain!  Ge 4:5-8 )   We need self-control! 
• Cross-references  --   Pr 25:15  Pr 29:11  Pr 14:29  Ps 103:8  James 1:19  Ro 12:21  Rev 3:21  Eph 4:26-27  !!  Ps 37:8  
  

Ecc 7:9

• Initial Observations  --  Fairly self explanatory!
• Cross-references  --  James 1:19  Est 3:5  Eph 4:26-27  Ge 4:5-8 

Da 1:8

• Initial Observations  --  The importance in this verse does not lie in the type of food, as at that time the Law was in effect regarding food.  People could easily make this verse about food and wine! (or sex or stealing etc. etc.)  What IS important is that Daniel made up his mind (HE CHOSE) NOT to defile himself.  (as certain foods were a sin at that time!)  Daniel exerted self-control against the pressures of the world (and possibly any cravings he may have had for that food!)  Daniel chose NOT to sin.  When we sin, WE are choosing to sin!!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 119:106  Ac 11:23  (being resolute) 1Co 7:37  !!  2Co 9:7 
• The commentaries miss the point!  They focus on the food!!  That is NOT the point!  Daniel's resolve and choice not to sin are the point.  Paul tells us that food is not the point.  If we feel a certain food will defile, we shouldn't eat it!  If we are okay with it, it is okay.  Food is not the point in this verse.  Commentaries often disappoint me!
• Actually The Life Application Study Bible sums up Daniel's resolve quite nicely!  
• Daniel resolved not to eat this food, either because it was forbidden by Jewish law, such as pork (see Leviticus 11), or because accepting the king's food and drink was the first step toward depending on his gifts and favors. Although Daniel was in a culture that did not honor God, he still obeyed God's laws.
• Daniel "was determined" to be devoted to principle and to be committed to a course of action. When Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to do what was right and not to give in to the pressures around him. We, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. Merely wanting or preferring God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation. Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God.
• It is easier to resist temptation if you have thought through your convictions before the temptation arises. Daniel and his friends made their decision to be faithful to the laws of God before they were faced with the king's delicacies, so they did not hesitate to stick with their convictions. We will get into trouble if we have not previously decided where to draw the line. Before such situations arise, decide on your commitments and what you will do. Then when temptation comes, you will be ready to say no.

Ro 6:12

• Initial Observations  --  Once again Paul is stressing discipline over our bodies!  This is not easy and we need God's help to do this but the desire to demonstrate self-control is HALF the battle!
• Cross-references  --   Ps 19:13  Ps  119:133  Ro 8:11  2Co 5:4  Ro 8:13  Gal 5:16  Gal 5:24  James 1:14-15 

1Co 9:24-27

• Initial Observations  --  What an amazing section of Scripture!  Paul tells us to run as to win the prize!  He tells us how those who run in earthly races exercise self-control to win an earthly prize.  THEN he reminds us that we are running a different race and what the prize is for this race:  Our eternal salvation!!  (of course this is given to us by God's grace)   Paul then tells us how he disciplines his body and does not take action without goals!  Amazing and worth much further study!!
• Cross-references  --   Gal 5:23  1Ti 6:12  2Ti 2:5  2Ti 4:7-8  James 1:12  2Pe 1:5-10   Mt 7:21-23  2Co 13:5 

1Th 4:3-4 

• Initial Observations  -- Very clear!  We are to possess our own vessel in sanctification and honor!
• The Greek word for possess (G2932) can mean acquire but in this case means keep under control.  (although the God's Word translation sees it as acquire, as in acquiring a spouse..??)  The Complete Word Dictionary does state that this verse (1Th 4:4 )  could be to obtain a spouse.  ??  HMM??
• The Bible Background Commentary:    Believe that vessel means one's OWN body in this context but the matter is not without dispute.
• In Ro 9:21 2Co 4:7  and 2Ti 2:20-21  Paul uses the word vessels to refer to our own bodies.  So it would seem that he would be doing the same here!!  Also Paul preferred people to gain control over their own bodies!!  And when discussing marriage, Paul did not think of the woman as a vessel (which this verse implies if you go that route!) for the husband.  Paul definitely commanded that both the man and woman should be available (sexually) for each other so that neither would succumb to sexual temptations.
• Based on Paul's previous use of the word vessel and his thoughts on marriage, I believe he is telling us to own our own bodies!!  This is more in line with Paul's other thoughts on self-discipline and presenting ourselves as clean etc. etc.!!
• Besides, the only time this Greek word is used to mean a wife is in 1Pe 3:7 and that is an analogy not a direct term.  So I am VERY convinced that Paul means we are to own (possess) our own bodies and control them!
• AND:  Sanctification is the process of being made separate and holy for God!  I can't sanctify my wife!  Only God and she can.  (through her relationship with God) 

1Ti 4:7-8 

• Initial Observations --  In these two great verses Paul sheds further light on WHY we should discipline our bodies.  He alludes to it in 1Co 9:24-27  !  We need to keep our eyes on the GREATER prize!  We are living for the life to come!  So here Paul tells us to discipline our bodies for the purpose of godliness!
• The word godliness means:   a life that is acceptable to Christ, indicating the proper attitude of the believer toward Jesus Christ who has saved us!  It is both an attitude an a a manner of life.  It does not come automatically which why Paul tells us in the verse to discipline ourselves towards the goal of godliness!  (The AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary)
• Cross-references  --  2Pe 1:2-8   1Ti 6:11  Ac 24:16  Titus 2:12  2Ti 3:12  Pr 19:23  Mt 6:33  Jn 12:25  1Ti 6:6-9  !!   Ps 37:4  Lk 12:32  1Jn 2:25  Rev 3:12 
• The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:    Points out that only Paul and Peter use the word translated as godliness and that it is a comprehensive word for obedience to God in all areas of life.  (which is why it takes work!!)

2Ti 1:7

• Initial Observations  --  NOW after all this talk of discipline Paul tells us the best part: God has given us a spirit of power, love and discipline!  We are strong enough to strive forward and get better!  Why?  Because our strength (if we are looking for it in the correct place,  Eph 6:10  )  comes from God!!
• Cross-references  --  Php 1:27  Jude 1:3   Jn 14:27  Ro 8:15  Ac 1:8  Ro 15:13  Eph 3:16  Eph 3:20  1Th 1:5  Ro 5:5  Ps 119:80 

2Pe 1:5-11 

• Initial Observations  --  2Pe 1:6    Notice that self-control is a part of the process to being useful and fruitful (  2Pe 1:8  )  Self-control is not the end-all be-all, nor is it unnecessary!

Final thoughts and Application: 

• We do need to discipline our bodies because the flesh is weak!  If we discipline ourselves we will be better prepared to fight temptation should it arise!  But we have to remember that self-control is not the end result!  Striving for godliness (complete obedience to God!) is the end goal!  It is not possible without Jesus! 

Bibliography

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• Life Application Study Bible - Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.