Rev Bill

Purpose 3 in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is

Warren continues this theme in day 26 — Growing Through Temptation. Beginning with the sentence: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good Warren stresses that every temptation does not have to be a stumbling block — but can be a stepping stone along the path of spiritual maturity. Temptation provides a choice for you — will do what God would have you do or will you do something that is wrong and sinful? The more you choose to do God’s will the stronger you will become. But each time you have a choice you must choose how to respond.

First of all, Warren says you need to understand how temptation works:

1. Satan identifies a desire inside of you.
It begins when Satan identifies a desire inside of you for something that is sinful. It could be a wrong desire — or a will to fulfill a good desire at a wrong time or in a wrong way. Most of the time, temptations begin with desires within you.

2. Satan tries to get you to doubt what God has said about a particular sin.
Satan wants you to begin to think that a particular desire is not that bad — that a particular action is not that big a deal — when actually it is!

3. Satan deceives you into thinking a sin is ok.
Again, Satan wants you to think that a sin is not that big a deal, when actually it is!

4. You finally disobey God and commit the sin.
You give in to the idea that it’s not that bad — not that big a deal — and commit the sin.

Warren then gives 3 steps o how to overcome temptation:

1. Refuse to be intimidated.
Don’t be frightened or feel like an “inferior Christian” because you are tempted. You will never be beyond temptation. Every Christian battles temptations every day.

2.Recognize your “pattern of temptation” and be prepared
When are most likely to be tempted?
In a certain place?
With a certain group of people?
When you are tired — or angry?
Realize that these times are the times you are the most tempted, do what you can to avoid these times or situations — or find something else to do when you are feeling these ways.

3. Request God’s help.
When you find yourself being tempted, ask God to help you.

God wants you to become like Christ. This means choosing to do God’s things instead of sinful things. This takes work, but God is there to help!

Lord — Help me to choose to do Your will for my life — and in Your way. Help me to defeat temptation — and become more like You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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