Element 4: Resist by Seeking God

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

That is an amazing promise. But if you've fought and lost against sexual sin, you know that things can go wrong. It isn't that God lets us down, but that we don't seek or rely on Him properly. Calling on God, trusting in Him and repenting are major ingredients in Him helping us. However, these aren't things we can just do once and then forget about. We need to remain in Christ, resist evil and rely on the Lord continuously. God responds to this. He helps everyone, but those who love and follow Him are given special promises. These are the ones who He enables to bear fruit, and thus win against temptation.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 (NASB^®)

Therefore, in order to triumph over temptation, we must abide in Christ. That is simply the task of Christians anyway!

But how do we actually do this? For our purposes in discussing the battle against lust, we will divide it into two parts. First, there are things to do always - things to do with living life through and in God. This current section focuses on that aspect. Second, there are things to do at the moment of temptation itself, which are discussed in the next section.

What to do

The following Bible passages show that being in God, relying on Him and focusing on Him are linked to victory in Him. Practice these things all the time. Through Jesus, the Lord changes and enables us. These verses teach how be in Jesus so that He will allow us to stand up against temptation. (For more on living the life that Jesus calls us to, see the True Faith (http://www.dansfriends.com/saved6.shtml) section of the Being Saved article.)

We have already discussed the importance and power of calling on God, asking Him for help, and trusting Him to deliver you. Keeping on doing this praying all the time, and also thank and praise Him. The Lord is delivering you from death!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

There are many Bible verses which counter the lies of sin. There are teachings about the necessity and reasons for avoiding immorality. There are also passages about relying on God, and that through Him we prevail. Read, understand, remember and apply what God's word says. If you don't already read the Bible regularly, then start. It can be daunting to tackle such a large book, but even reading a small amount every day is much better than none. Besides, it's not just quantity, but quality too, which is important. Read, but also apply and obey it. Remember, this is God's word, and it provides what we need.

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ASV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Seek and practice the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Self control is part of this. Work to act in accordance with the Spirit, instead of your flesh, which we should be crucifying instead of gratifying.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (KJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NASB^®)

God actually changes us and allows to know right from wrong, and to live appropriately. Work at serving Him with your body and mind.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

Control your thoughts and think about righteous things, making your mind belong to Jesus instead of the devil.

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:13-14 (NIV)

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NASB^®)

Obeying God is another part of living in Him. There are lots of Bible verses which talk about the kinds of things which are obedient. When asked what the most important commandment of all is, Jesus said this:

The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NIV)

This is totally opposed to lust, which is selfish. Practice Godly love for the Lord and for other people.

The following famous passage sums it up. Follow God in your life and so attain victory over evil.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

Daily plan

It may be beneficial to set yourself some activities or times spread throughout the day, to remind you and help you live in God constantly. Daniel apparently had a practice of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Daniel+6:10&version=31)), and he was a giant of faith! A list of activities to help you focus on the Lord may include:

• One four minute prayer in the morning
• Read three pages of the Bible
• Contact a friend to say how you are honestly going regarding lust
• Read a note with a list of dos and don'ts (do read Bible, don't use internet unsupervised)

Spending time with God and focusing on Him is vital to our faith, and it also helps in combating lust. It can be hard to do, and having a daily plan of special times can help. Another benefit of having a plan is that if you are in danger of falling, but know you 'have to' do some praying or Bible reading soon, it can help. It seems like lust and Jesus are incompatible. Being with Him, genuinely praying, or concentrating on the Bible seems to help shoo temptation away for a while. Having these times spread out during the day could be more helpful than doing them in one chunk, which may be a dim memory 6 hours later when temptation arrives.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

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