All temptation is linked to what you think on. It is important to control your thoughts, in order to control temptation. This is a simple but profound truth. It’s the reason most people fall into temptation. Think on the wrong things long enough, and sooner or later you will fall into sin when tempted.
Knowing your true identity and to be able to identify right from wrong, is one of the greatest defenses you can possibly have against temptation. When you were a kid, how many times were you dared to do something stupid? The real issue wasn’t whether or not you could do it but whether you were “afraid” to do it. And sad to say, many of us took the dare and did something that hurt us or shamed us just to prove that we weren’t. All we really succeeded in proving was that we feared their disapproval so much that we were willing to do the Wrong. The truly fearless response would have been to walk away; secure in who we were, earning their respect through character rather than performance.
Which reminds me of the story of Yusuf (the Prophet) and of the time he experienced temptation when he was approached by Potiphar's wife. She was up for it (by 'it' I mean sex) and was willing to do anything to get it! But being a man, Yusuf would have found it very difficult to say 'no' to Potiphar's wife. So what did he do? He ran away. He didn't put his moral strengths to the test, nor did he waste time trying to politely work his way through a very sticky situation...he just got out of there as fast as his legs could carry him and ultimately, he did the right thing.
It’s also important to understand that all temptation is rooted in selfishness. Every single temptation is packaged in the form of lust or the pride of life. Selfishness is always the favorite playground of the devil, and when selfishness rules in our lives, we open the door to the devils’ deceptive schemes.
So my friends, when temptation strikes your way; just turn around and walk away, get your self involved in something else, meditate if you have to... but don't loose the fight to the devil. Best practice is to pray and ask for guidance and God will meet your needs…!!!
Knowing your true identity and to be able to identify right from wrong, is one of the greatest defenses you can possibly have against temptation. When you were a kid, how many times were you dared to do something stupid? The real issue wasn’t whether or not you could do it but whether you were “afraid” to do it. And sad to say, many of us took the dare and did something that hurt us or shamed us just to prove that we weren’t. All we really succeeded in proving was that we feared their disapproval so much that we were willing to do the Wrong. The truly fearless response would have been to walk away; secure in who we were, earning their respect through character rather than performance.
Which reminds me of the story of Yusuf (the Prophet) and of the time he experienced temptation when he was approached by Potiphar's wife. She was up for it (by 'it' I mean sex) and was willing to do anything to get it! But being a man, Yusuf would have found it very difficult to say 'no' to Potiphar's wife. So what did he do? He ran away. He didn't put his moral strengths to the test, nor did he waste time trying to politely work his way through a very sticky situation...he just got out of there as fast as his legs could carry him and ultimately, he did the right thing.
It’s also important to understand that all temptation is rooted in selfishness. Every single temptation is packaged in the form of lust or the pride of life. Selfishness is always the favorite playground of the devil, and when selfishness rules in our lives, we open the door to the devils’ deceptive schemes.
So my friends, when temptation strikes your way; just turn around and walk away, get your self involved in something else, meditate if you have to... but don't loose the fight to the devil. Best practice is to pray and ask for guidance and God will meet your needs…!!!
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