When Temptation Gets Tough

Today in society, temptation is all around us and very hard to avoid. Hearing people say "you only live once" and other tempting phrases makes it even harder. There are ways that we as Christians can exhibit self control:

James 1:13-15

13) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 
As mentioned in verse 15, everyone is enticed or "drawn to" their own evil desires. That means that something tempting to me may not cross the mind of someone else. Everyone struggles with different sins. Next time you are faced with a sin that you know you shouldn't commit think of the word POWER (God's power to fight temptation)!

P - Personal Choice  Joseph made a personal choice to himself that he was NOT going to lie with Potiphar's wife no matter how much she temped him. He did not even play with fire and give in to her at all. 

Genesis 39

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

7) And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

8) But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9) There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

10) So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

O- Organize a Plan  Look for a way out. Plan ahead. Use scripture and pray! 

  

1 Corinthians 10:13

13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

W- Weakness Exposed  Take drastic measures to get sin out of your life!

 Matthew 5:29

29) If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

E- Encouraged by Friends  Power in numbers, friends that stand by you and share the same beliefs and morals with strengthen you to fight your temptations. Share your burdens and lean on one another. Don't date someone that has different values or morals because they will just make it harder to avoid your temptation. Find a boyfriend/girlfriend that makes you stronger as well.

R- Receive Forgiveness and Accept Correction   If you have fallen into temptation look back at how you failed or what made you give in. Ask the Lord to forgive you and accept his correction.

*My sermon notes from Chase Sorrell preaching at Booneville Church of Christ