Overcoming Temptation Pt 4

Earlier in this series we found in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (AMP) that putting and keeping God first in our lives is key for us to overcome temptation. In part 3 of this blog I began covering the four fundamentals that will help us do this. The first being: we must take time to read and study God’s Word. The second fundamental was prayer. Prayer will have to be a part of any growing relationship with God. Today I want to cover the last two in this series.

  • Being filled with the Holy Spirit helps us to keep God first in our lives and to overcome temptation. Jesus was very clear with His disciples about the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus said in Luke 11:13 (AMP), “If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him.” Notice Jesus said the Holy Spirit would bring with Him gifts that are to our advantage. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and makes us powerful witnesses for Him in the world. Then we see that powerful outpouring in Acts 2:1-2 where the disciples received this power by being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues on the Day of Pentecost. A simple yet powerful truth the Church must learn is that God wants the world saved and His Church filled with the Holy Spirit. We need spiritual power in our lives, the very power of God, and being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us that power that Jesus said was to our advantage.           Simply put, being filled and staying filled with the Holy Spirit helps us to keep God first in our lives, which is key to us winning over temptation. Read Luke 4:1-2, it worked for Jesus and will work for us as well!
  • Regularly attend and be an active part of a strong local Church. Remember this is a fundamental that will help you keep God first in your life and equip you to overcome temptation. Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP) says, “And let us consider and give attention, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” The local Church is God’s plan and He wants every believer to be a part of a strong local Church where they can be equipped to grow in their walk with God and in their service to Him. God designed the local Church to help each of us to grow spiritually and then that growth will affect every area of our lives, our individual lives, marriages, homes, families, work, and world. The local Church was designed to help lay the right foundation in your life. A good local Church will help you work on your fundamentals continually and not neglect these four vital elements necessary for your spiritual growth.

God gave pastors (pastors lead local churches) to help us grow. God will use them to speak the Word of God into our lives, the words we need, not just the words we want to hear, but the ones we need to hear. Pastors will speak words that correct us, stretch us, and yes, encourage us and help us stay on track with God and moving with Him.

Now, read Hebrews 10:24-25 again and realize one reason God said to assemble more is because we will need more of His Word and more of His supernatural power in our lives in these last days before He returns.