May 21, 2013

Lead Us Not

 



Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

It’s hard to say no to temptation, but for every time you can say no, it makes you stronger. Don't rush the work, changing little by little is still changing.

The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. Deuteronomy 7:22

If you're struggling continually with temptations, check your thoughts. Our mind and thoughts are powerful and can lead us down the wrong path if we don't filter our thoughts through the Word of God and what is pleasing to Him.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

When you hear a wrong thought and/or one that tempts you, try speaking out a scripture to combat that thought - the 'weapon of the Word'. For example, if you hear a thought in your head about God abandoning you, you can say a confession aloud based on Matthew 28:20 - Jesus promised He would ALWAYS be with me, even to the end of the world. Hearing thoughts that cause you to worry about your finances? Say aloud Philippians 4:19 - My God SHALL supply all my needs. Hearing a thought in your head that you're going to die, want to die, or commit suicide? Say aloud Psalm 118:17 - I WILL NOT die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. If you can't think of a scripture that applies to your specific situation, ask the Holy Spirit to give you one, or you can paraphrase the above scripture from 2 Corinthians 10 - I cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that exhalts itself against the knowledge of God.

While we're on the subject of the Word of God, feed your spirit daily with the Word. What's in your heart will come out at just the right time that you need it.

Father, I pray that You lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Help us Holy Spirit to keep our thoughts in check and to think on godly things. Help us to say no to things that are displeasing to You. Change us. Make us more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.