How To Avoid Sexual Temptation

Scripture: “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.” Matthew 6:22

These words of Jesus tell us how important our eyes are, and how diligent we must be to watch what goes into our mind through our eyes. God’s word shows us several ways to do this:

1. Be Careful What You Look At

Jesus said, “anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The first step to sexual temptation (and sometimes the sin itself) is looking.

Today’s world can be full of temptations for the eyes. Advertisements, movies and television, and things on the Internet can all lead us to sin. You must carefully choose what you watch and where you go. If seeing women in bathing suits makes you think lustful thoughts, then you need to stay away from the beach. If Internet pornography threatens to trap you, then stop surfing the web when you’re alone. (Matthew 18:8-9)

2. Guard Your Heart

King Solomon instructs us, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23).

What is this verse telling us? That what we THINK about determines who we are, and what we do. Lustful thoughts lead to lustful actions. On the other hand, if you read, speak and think about God’s word often, he will renew your mind and your heart. (Also see Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:1-3)

3. Don’t Be Proud

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). If you think you will never fall victim to a particular sin, that’s the time to be extra careful. Or, as Solomon again says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Remember above all that we don’t rely on our own strength, but on the Holy Spirit. God alone can give the power to make the right decisions and keep our lives free from sexual sin.

God’s Favor in Your Life

Scripture: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:15 (NIV)

You might be surprised to learn that those whom God favors sometimes experience pain and suffering. We might not understand it, but God shows His favor and His love in many different ways. Let’s see what His favor can look like in your life.

Favor Does Not Prevent Suffering

Jesus instructed His followers, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth” (Matthew 6:19), and the Bible instructs God’s people, “if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (Psalm 62:10). Israel’s King David (a hero of the Old Testament) suffered physical hardship when he was persecuted by Saul. God also allowed physical pain to bother the Apostle Paul, who received divine revelation and wrote many books in the New Testament.

Just like Paul’s physical pain, God does not always fix every hardship in your life. Even if you pray, He may choose to use your weakness so His glory and strength can be seen by all of the people around you. (2 Corinthians 12:9, John 9:3).

Focus on Giving God Glory

The Old Testament shows us that God often used provision to help His people understand Him more: “the Lord your God has poured down for you abundant rain. The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil” (Joel 2:23-24). The New Testament lets us know that “every good and perfect gift is from the Father” (James 1:17).

Since God works “for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), He can choose to give you with resources or health for His purpose. However, you have to remember that these are always meant to bring Him glory. Our focus should not be on our comfort or gaining material things. If we are focused on God, we can use whatever He gives us, whether it’s health, material things or physical weakness, to give Him glory.

Seek God First

God will provide everything we need to accomplish His will. You may be surprised to learn that you may not need perfect health or lots of wealth to do His will. Jesus didn’t even have a place to lay his head (Luke 9:58), but He accomplished God’s perfect will. Be sure to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). Remember, God’s favor does not mean all your expectations will be met. His favor will help you give Him glory in good and bad situations.

The Hall of Faith

Scripture: “These, though commended by God for their great faith, did not receive what was promised. That promise has awaited us, who receive the better thing that God has provided in these last days, so that with us, our forebears might finally see the promise completed.” Hebrews 11:39-40

Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith,” talks about the successes of early Christians. From Abel to the prophets, the author describes miracles, victories, and great accomplishments.

Faith Doesn’t Prevent Suffering

In verse 35, the mood changes: But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. (Hebrews 11:35-38).

Tortured. Imprisoned. Murdered. Did these people fail because they had less faith? Did unbelief lead to these unhappy endings? Not at all!

Faith Gives Strength

The believers in the Hall of Faith “placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection” (vs. 35). Even before Christ’s coming, these saints realized their earthly lives were short. Their suffering would be nothing compared to the glory of being with God forever. (Romans 8:18) They were “too good for this world” (vs. 38), and “commended by God for their great faith” (vs. 39). Yet, not a single one of these people is named! Those who suffered and died for the gospel are largely unknown, to this day.

Don’t Lose Heart

The last verse of Hebrews 11 tells us “That promise has awaited us, who receive the better thing that God has provided in these last days, so that with us, our forebears might finally see the promise completed” (Hebrews 11:40). Remarkably, WE are part of this great story. All of Christ’s followers throughout history, including us, will gather with these biblical saints and be with Christ. What a great victory celebration that will be – the ultimate happy ending, especially for those who suffered for His sake.

So whatever is happening to you today, do not lose heart, but look forward to the day of Christ’s return — when we will meet, rejoice with, and be glorified with the now-famous saints of old.

What is God’s Favor?

Scripture: “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes…” Genesis 39:2-4

If your life includes some trouble and suffering, you are not alone. Think of Joseph’s story. (Genesis 37, 39-50) He was the favorite of his father's twelve sons. He became second-in-command to the Pharaoh of Egypt. He even saved the ancient world from famine. Surely this was a man in God's favor!

Did you notice what was left out of that story? Stay in only certain parts of Joseph's story and it is easy to see his favor with God. But who could forget his brothers’ betrayal? How he was sold into slavery. How his purity was tested in his master's house? How he was thrown into prison for something he did not do. There's no denying it. Joseph suffered. And his great suffering was a key part of God's plan.

Notice that:

1. God's plan was bigger than Joseph. How could he have predicted the way God saved Egypt and Israel?
2. Joseph's suffering was not the end of the story. Thirteen years of hardship is terrible. But Joseph himself said he forgot all about the trouble (Gen. 41:51) during the next 80 great years.
3. Joseph’s hard experiences brought him great peace and insight about God's nature. (Gen. 45:7-8, Gen. 50:20)
4. Readers of his story are reminded, "the Lord was with him." (Genesis 39:3, 23)

When I am going through hardship, I can’t read my own story and see the note, "the Lord was with him." In fact, it often feels like he is not. Was it different for Joseph? Did he feel out of God's favor when his brothers sold him into slavery? When he went to prison for something he didn't do? Whether or not he felt that way, he came to understand that his trouble did not reflect God’s displeasure with him. He said it himself - what others intended for his harm, God intended for good, to accomplish the saving of many lives. (Gen. 50:20) And not only saving those ancient lives.

His story reminds us that hard times don’t necessarily mean God is displeased with us. He has bigger plans for us to embrace! He’s still writing the story. Some comfort can only come through hardship - and for the sake of the larger story, we have to go through it and pass it on. Remember Joseph. And just think how much poorer we would be if we only knew the easy, comfortable parts of his story!

Winning Others Without A Word

Scripture: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Do you have the chance to talk about your faith? Last week, we discussed words you could use to tell others about about the Gospel. But what if they won’t listen? What if you can get in trouble starting conversations about Jesus?

In His love, God instructed us on how to be His Message, before even using words: “live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God” (1 Peter 2:12). How can this look in your life?

In Your Home

One of the best ways to have a thriving, godly household is to show the Fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Can you imagine the impact your family or household could have on your community when they see you interacting this way? Godly families are able to work together for the Lord as they “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

In Your Church

Jesus told His followers, “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples” (John 13:35). The Bible encourages us to “get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech” (I Peter 2:1). Instead, church members can “think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

In Your World

Every time you work with others, you can “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). We might not like things we have to do, but we can behave in ways that honor the Lord -- even when we disagree with someone. Remember, Jesus taught us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Living for God and redirecting praise and attention to Him brings Him glory. It also gives you a chance to be a powerful witness when people wonder what makes you so different. Remember: good works can’t earn salvation, so they aren’t enough to bring someone to faith. But they can give you an opportunity to share the “reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15).

Are You Ready to Share the Gospel?

Scripture: “For God so loved the World that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16

What are the most important truths that will help someone have faith in Jesus? Based on John 3:16 there are 4 simple ideas that sum up the gospel:

1. Love

“For God so loved the World…” Let people know God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them! “God proved His love for us in the while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

2. Sin

Sin separates us from a loving, perfect God. We have rebelled against Him and refused to follow Him. By going our own way, we have missed the perfect plan God had for us. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)So what is the solution so ”we will not perish, but have eternal life?” (John 3:16)

3. Jesus

“He gave his only Son…” Salvation is a gift, not something you have to earn. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23)

4. Believe

”Whoever believes in Him…” Like any gift, you must choose to accept it. AGREE that Jesus is the only Son of God and ACCEPT that he paid for YOUR sins on the cross and rose again to give you life. Invite people to pray with you to accept Jesus. “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12)

Focus on Jesus

Be careful not to be distracted by difficult questions or subjects that cause disagreement. You don’t need to know ALL the answers; you only need to know that “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me.’” (John 14:6).

Be Ready

“If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15b). Memorize these 4 simple truths and scriptures that go with them. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and power. Remember it is the Holy Spirit who helps people accept Christ; we are just pointing the way.

What Happens When You Accept Christ?

Scripture: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19

The word “gospel” means “good news.” But the message about Jesus is not just good – it’s GREAT news! Many great things happen when someone puts their faith in Christ. Today’s scripture mentions two very important ones. Let’s take a look:

Reconciled: Reunited with God

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:19a). Have you ever been in a broken relationship? It feels terrible when someone you love no longer wants to be your friend, or even considers you an enemy. This was our situation before we knew Christ. Everyone is born sinful; it is our natural state. (Ephesians 2:3) Our own sin made us God’s enemies, but in his wonderful grace, God offers us a chance to reunite with Him. Paul put it this way in Romans: “. . . our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies.” (Romans 5:10)

Justified: Not Guilty

“. . . no longer counting people’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19b). Those who don’t know Christ are not only God’s enemies, but are considered guilty, and subject to eternal separation from God in hell. But through Christ’s death on the cross, those who have placed their faith in him are now justified -- that means you’re “not guilty” anymore, and you have been made righteous.

Think about the guilt of every wrong thing you have ever thought, said, or done—from envy to gossip to murder. What an enormous load of shame and guiltiness! Now think of the sin of the entire world – and how amazing it is that Jesus willingly took ALL of your guilt and replaced it with righteousness. Think of how wonderful it is to be declared “not guilty,” and the joy your friends and loved ones will feel when they experience this freedom.

Go For It: Tell People about Jesus!

These few things are great motivation to share about Jesus with others. Don’t let fear keep you from telling people. The reward is far greater than anything bad that might happen. May God bless you as you become “God’s Ambassador” to a lost and dying world.