Topical Study, Resisting Temptation: Avoiding Temptation Part VI, VII and VIII

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.

Part IV and V 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!)
 

 Prayer

Ps 19:13

• Initial Observations  --  Here the psalmist prays directly to God to keep him safe from sins!  This is preceded by Ps 19:12 where the Psalmist asks God to acquit him of his hidden faults (the sins we aren't even aware of!) 
• The word translated as presumptuous is a Hebrew adjective meaning arrogant or proud!  The HCSB translates it as willful and that makes sense as the psalmist just asked to be forgiven his "unwilling" or hidden sins!  So here the psalmist is praying for God to intercede and prevent him (the psalmist) from committing willful or knowing sins!  HUGE!  Especially for me right now!!
• Cross-references  --  Nu 15:30  Ge 4:7  Eze 36:25  Ps 119:133  Ge 20:6  Dt 17:13   Ro 6:12-14  Ps 84:11 
• The Treasury of David:    Reminds us that if the law is not in our hearts it is easier for a lie(s) to enter!  It is also states that the ONLY way to expel a lie is to accept the truth!  NICE!

Ps 119:29 

• Initial Observations  --  This prayer goes hand in hand with our needing to be honest with ourselves about our own sins and weaknesses!  The psalmist is praying to God to remove him from the way of deceit and lying!  We all lie to ourselves from time to time!  This is an amazing and especially important verse!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 119:37  Ps 119:163  Ps 141:3  !!  Ps 141:4  Pr 30:8  1Jn 1:8  1Jn 2:4  Rev 22:15 

Lk 22:40

• Initial Observations  --  What an obvious verse!  Jesus (who was facing His own crisis!) cared enough to warn his disciples to pray that they may not enter into temptation!  Jesus was about to go off alone and pray for strength!  So if He needed to pray to Father for strength, I think it only makes sense that we (I!) need to pray for strength to not fall into temptation's snares!  Although temptation in this verse may mean testing.  
• Cross-references  --  Mt 6:13  Lk 11:4  Lk 22:46  Ps 119:116  Eph 6:18-19 

Mt 6:13

• Initial Observations  --  What better example is there?  In Mt 6:9  Jesus says, "Pray, then, in this way..." and he includes as part of the prayer a petition to keep us from temptation!1
• Cross-references  --  Mt 26:41  1Co 10:13  2Pe 2:9   2Th 3:3   Jn 17:15  

Mk 14:38

• Initial Observations  --  Jesus explains WHY we need to keep watch AND pray:  temptations will always be in front of us or just around the corner!  We want to resist temptations (willing spirit) but our flesh is too weak without divine help!!  Ro 7:15-20  Ro 7:21-24  !!!!
• Cross-references  --  Lk 22:40  1Co 16:13  Gal 5:17 
• The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:  Points out that Jesus is specifically referring to the testing and temptations that the apostles were about to face during Jeus' trial, death and (as yet unknown to them) resurrection.  But the fact remains that we should always pray because we don't know when those trials are coming and when we will be weakest!  Jesus' command (advice) to the apostles was situation specific but universal in its application.  Absolutely essential to our well being!

Thoughts and Application:

• As we have seen throughout this study, God has warned us to be on the alert as temptation and sin are always around the corner!  And as we shall see very clearly in Mt 4:1-11  the devil will often tempt us when we are weakest.  BUT how do we know when troubles are going to come that make us weak?  We don't!  SO we need to be alert AND we need to be in constant prayer for strength to avoid and flee from temptation and we need to pray for the strength to RESIST temptation!!  Jesus' commands could not be any clearer.  Especially when we look back at everything else we have learned regarding temptation!

Immerse ourselves in God's Word

Jos 1:7-8   

• Initial Observations  --  God wants us to obey His commands.  He wants us to live as He wishes us to live.  He wants us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.  And God even tells us how:  meditate on His law so that we will be careful to do as it says.  God gave us commands but he has also given us instructions on how we will be able to follow His commands.  We have to meditate on His Word.  See Ps 1:1-3
• Cross-references  --  Dt 29:9  Ps 1:1-3  Dt 5:32  Dt 12:32  Dt 28:14  Dt 6:6-9  Dt 11:18-19   Dt 17:18-19  Dt 30:14  Ps 37:31  Ps 119:11  Mt 7:21  Mt 7:24  Lk 11:28 

Ps 1:1-3 

• Initial Observations   --  A clear indication that meditating on the law of the Lord (God's Word!)  will give us firm roots and we will be able to avoid the ways of the wicked!!
• Cross-references  --  Pr 4:14-15  Ps 2:12  !!  Jos 1:8  Ps 40:8  Ps 119:14-16  Ps 119:11  Jer 15:16  Ro 7:22  1Jn 5:3   1Ti 4:15  Mk 4:13-20  Col 3:16  1Jn 2:14  1Jn 2:24  Heb 4:12  Rev 1:3  Jn 5:24  James 1:21  Ps 119:9  Dt 17:19  Ro 2:15  !!!  

Ps 37:31

• Initial Observations  --  Again, very clear!!  If we keep God's law and commands in our heart our steps will not slip!  This does not mean something as simple as, "a Psalm a day keeps temptation away."  No!  We are told to meditate on God's Word, to keep it in our hearts!  We need to read it!  Study it!  Reread it!  Think on it!  Discuss it!
• Cross-references  --  Dt 6:6  Ps 40:8  Ps  119:11  Isa 51:7  Jer 31:33  Ps 37:23  Pr 4:4  Ps 121:3 

Ps 119:9 

• Initial Observations  --  One of my favorite verses!  Asks a direct and important question and then gives a straight and clear answer!  We just need to keep our way according to God's Word!  Period.
• Cross-references  --  Jn 15:3  Ps 12:6  Ps 119:140  Php 4:8  Ps 34:11  Ps 119:11  Ps 119:97-105  Dt 6:6-9  Jos 1:7  Jn 17:7  James 1:21  Dt 17:19  Ro 15:4 

Ps 119:11

• Initial Observations  --  Another one of my favorite verses!  Psalm 119 is  amazing.  We are told here to treasure God's Word in our hearts!  The psalmist does this so that he will NOT SIN against God!  The implications are clear especially following  Ps 119:9  !!!
• Cross-references  --  Ps 37:31  Ps 50:8  Lk 2:19  Lk 2:51  Ps 119:97  Ps 1:2  Isa 51:7  Jer 15:16  Col 3:16  Ps 119:35   Ps 119:105

Jn 15:3

• Initial Observations --  Wow!  If we are already clean because of the words that Jesus has spoken to us, how much more will we obey and be clean if we immerse ourselves in His Word! 
• Cross-references  --  Jn 17:17  Eph 5:26  Ps 119:9 

Col 3:16

• Initial Observations  --  Paul wants us to teach and admonish each other, and to sing with thankfulness in our hearts!  Before he tells us to do that, what does he say?   "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you..."
• Cross-references  --  Ro 10:17  Eph 5:26  1Th 1:8  Heb 4:12-13  Ps 119:11 Jn 15:7  1Jn 2:14  Mk 4:13-20  (acceptance and understanding of God's Word will keep the devil and the worries of the world at bay as we will be focused on God!)  Eze 3:10  Dt 30:14  Dt 11:18  Dt 6:6 

Thoughts and Application:

• These are some of the clearest verses and commands in the Bible!  We (I) MUST keep ourselves  (myself) immersed in God's Word.  We must read it, think on it, STUDY it.  Read it again.  Carefully read what others have to say about it.  And PRAY!!  We can't forget prayer!   
• As always we can turn to the lessons learned in Ge 3:1-7   If Eve (and Adam!) had truly listened to, thought on and prayed about God's instructions they would have been less likely to succumb to temptation.  Eve even misquoted God (and she even put more restrictions on her and Adam than God had originally placed upon them!)
• If we are in God's Word constantly, we will be strong enough (through God's strength) to do the following:

Flee From Temptation

No matter how much we guard ourselves against it, temptation will find us!!  That is the way of the world.  And when it does find us we must have our last reserve of strength to FLEE from temptation!  Just imagine if Adam and Eve had had the will power to just WALK AWAY from the devil??!!

Gen 39:7-12

• Initial Observations  -- Of course on the surface it seems ironic that Joseph had the will power to flee from temptation but was then placed in prison!  Ge 39:13-20  But then we immediately see that God was WITH Joseph:  Ge 39:21  !!  But the events that transpired in the jailhouse were instrumental in leading Joseph to his eventual role as Pharaoh's right hand man!! A role that allowed Joseph to save Egypt from famine, enjoy much wealth AND save his own family from starvation!!  If Joseph had NOT fled temptation he may have missed out on God's grand and amazing plan for his life!  WOW!  Think on that for a second!!  Many innocent Egyptians may have starved.  Joseph's family may have starved in the famine! And the nation of Israel would have never ended up IN Egypt!    WOW!  WOW!  We must flee from temptation!
• Cross-references --  Ge 20:4-6  Pr 6:29  Ps 51:4  (highlighting that first and foremost, any sin is a sin against God!!)  Heb 13:4  1Jn 3:9  Pr 6:5  2Ti 2:22 

1Co 6:18

• Initial Observations  --  This is an important verse.  Paul is, for the most part, discussing sexual immorality.  The reason is that this is such an important verse for us is that it shows that temptation and sin WILL be around us at times.  Corinth was full of sexual sin and there was no real way to AVOID it unless one did not go out of their house!  So if sin is that prevalent where we live, we should:  a) maybe move? and b)  Flee from it!  The world is sinful so no matter how many precautions we take we will face temptation from time to time!  We must be able to flee from it.  This takes strength.  The kind of strength we can only find through God's grace and love!
• Cross-references  --  James 4:7  Ro 6:12-13  2Ti 2:22 

1Co 10:14

• Initial Observations  --  Again, same as above.  If we are living in this world (which we are!)  We will encounter temptation no matter how much we try to avoid it.  When we do?  We must flee!  And in the absolute worst scenario we must resist and fight!  (more on that later)
• Cross-references  --  1Co 10:7  1Co 10:19  1Jn 5:21  1Co 10:21  2Co 6:17  Rev 13:8  Rev 21:8 

2Ti 2:22

• Initial Observations  --  It is important to know 2Ti 2:19  and 2Ti 2:20-21  as Paul was very clearly discussing the expected behavior of a believer!  We are to cleanse ourselves form wicked things!  In this verse, 2Ti 2:22  ,  Paul tells us what to flee (youthful lusts that tempt us) but also tells us what to pursue! (righteousness, faith, peace and love!!)  What a great verse!  Paul is telling us it isn't enough to just run from temptation we must also be running towards the good things!  (God!!)  As pursuing the good things and pursuing God and His commands will make it easier for us to flee temptation!!
• Cross-references  --  1Ti 6:11  James 4:7  Heb 12:14  1Ti 1:5  Pr 6:5  1Co 6:18  Ps 119:9  1Pe 2:11  3Jn 1:11  !!!  1Co 14:1  Ro 14:17-19  1Pe 3:11

1Ti 6:10-11 

• Initial Observations  --  Once again Paul tells us what to flee from and what to move towards!  In this verse he is speaking specifically about the LOVE of money and how that can lead us into all sorts of temptations.  But again, it is supremely important to know what to flee from, but it is just as important to know what to run towards!  We must run towards something!  And God in His infinite love and grace does not just tell us what to flee, He also gives us a place of love to run towards!
• Cross-references  --  2Ti 2:22  1Ti 1:14  2Ti 3:10   1CO 6:18  1Co 10:14  Dt 16:20  Ps 34:14  !!  1Pe 3:11  Gal 5:22  Php 4:8  !!!

Thoughts and Application:

• The concept of fleeing from temptation is a strong and important concept!  We can arm ourselves so that we understand the causes of temptation (including the lustful desires in our heart).  We can prepare and make efforts to avoid temptation, but we do live in the world.  And unless we never leave the house (and lets be honest that doesn't even really guard us from temptation!)  we WILL encounter temptations!  It is just a fact of life!
• 1Co 10:13  But God does gives us the ability to run and/or fight temptation when avoidance is not possible.  It seems to me that fleeing temptation, when possible, is the soundest defense;  as long as we run TOWARDS God!!   By fleeing we are giving ourselves no possibility of falling into a trap!  And lets be honest again, the longer we are around temptation the better it begins to look!!
• There will be times when fleeing is also not possible!  And when that happens we must know how to fight temptation.  This is the next sub-topic we will study.

Bibliography

  

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