The Common Excuse When Falling into Temptation

By Sean

I’ve been reading Charles Stanley’s ‘Winning the War Within’ and I’ve come across a very intriguing argument in his book. Here’s what he has to say about the common excuse we make when falling into temptation.
“One of the most common statements people make to excuse failure in the area of temptation is this: “I’m just human, and besides, nobody’s perfect.” Let’s take a look at that for just a minute.

There is some truth to this statement. Only God is perfect. The problem is that this statement confuses present character with potential behavior. Let me explain.

When people say, “I am not perfect,” they are referring to their personhood or character. They are basically saying, “Since I am not perfect internally, don’t expect perfect behavior externally.” But in a discussion of temptation, character is not really the issue.

The issue is whether or not, at a given moment in time, people (in this case, Christians) have the potential to do the right thing. God says they do.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is fathful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13

All people have the potential to say no to temptation, regardless of whether or not we are perfect. Pointing to character as an excuse for giving in to temptation holds no weight with God.

We are all in the process of developing character, but where we are in that process has no bearing on our potential to overcome temptation. It may affect our desire to overcome temptation, but not our ability.

Are you willing to exercise your potential as a believer and say no to temptation?”

- Charles Stanley
‘Winning the War Within’ (with my own edit and emphasis added)

How To Stop Temptation When It Starts

By Angelyn

“I’m only human, made of flesh and blood, a mere man…”

One way or the other, you’ve probably heard this song; on the radio, on your ipod, someone singing along… In one circumstance or the other, you may have also uttered this phrase in one of the trying times of life. “I can’t do it, I’m only human!”

This article is inspired by the book ‘Winning the War Within’ by Charles Stanley.

He quoted in his book a passage that struck me: “Opportunity only knocks once, temptation leans on the doorbell.”

Wouldn’t you agree?

Think of just one temptation that you’re really having a hard time resisting: the latest iPhone, that so-worth-it dress, Facebook! Have you ever felt it calling you? Yes? That there seems to be a voice inside your head that says, ‘Well, I can afford it, not that I need it badly, but I want it!’, or ‘What’s so wrong about spending a few hours on Facebook?, or these are just minor issues, why bother, correct? Then this article is just for you.

All big things start small. Success can start in a dream. And in the same way, failure and defeat can start with just a small want. Don’t underestimate the power of desire.

An extra hour or two in Facebook may cause you to slack at work, lack sleep, fall into pornography, commit sexual immorality, in short sin. Wanting to buy that Iphone and/or must-have dress may cause you to lie, to lack self-control and spend beyond your means, debt: again sin. We have to remember, temptation leans on the doorbell.

How do we battle with temptation?

“Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1: 2-4

Temptation is not sin but it is one step away. We have to learn to flee and run and then pursue righteousness that we may learn patience, endurance, sensitivity to others and especially a moment-by-moment trust in the sufficiency of Christ’s grace. Temptation is one way of maturing us to be more like Jesus, allowing us to depend on Christ in times of our struggles. Therefore, to grow is to be tempted.

I find this song by Alexandra Burke entitled “Before it Explodes”, a helpful tool for you and I to remember:

“Let’s stop the madness before it explodes

Before it’s out of our control

We gotta let it go

Before it all explodes”

We are all a work in progress when it comes to developing our character. But choosing to say no to temptation is the first step.

Being human has no bearing in our potential to overcome temptation. It may affect our desire but not our ability.

Why it’s so Hard not to Give in to Temptation

By Angelyn

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” - Matthew 6: 24

I found my devotion today interesting and a blessing which is why I have decided to share it with all of you.

Let us note that God did not say you cannot serve God and Satan. He is wiser than that. He knew we could do better than that, can we? We fall short of the little temptations, the small compromises of the pleasures He blessed us with and then we fall off track. It’s the “Okay, I’ll buy it, today’s payday anyway”… Or the “Alright, let’s give-in, we’re truly in love, I’m sure…”

The apostle Paul tells us: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” - Galatians 1: 10

Going with the flow with what ALL our other peers do and say may not necessarily be the right way of doing things. In fact, sometimes you may be the weakest link in your office/class but you have the strongest link to God. Think about it. Our world has now gone far away from purity just compared to our parents or grandparents.

Now, I hear you when you say this is not easy. And that’s definitely true. But remember the things that we worked hard for bring the sweetest gain and the things we waited long enough give the best satisfaction. And what if you don’t get it still after all that? HOPE AND TRUST that God knows what He’s doing. What you want may not be exactly what’s best, what’s enough for you: He may have planned something better, something more! BELIEVE IT.

THE PROBLEM OF JUST ONCE

As was already shared by Sean in ‘3 Compromising Mindsets from the Devil’, this is (if I may say) 1 incredible tactic by the Enemy.

It’s the little things that become grave! Don’t be fooled… Don’t be deceived.

Now I know in one time or the other we all have fallen. We missed the mark. We fall short of the standard. But friends, we invite you to dwell in the love of our Christ Jesus. God our Father knew we couldn’t do it in His Perfect Way. That’s why Jesus had to take our place in the cross, to die for your sins and mine: before, today and even that of tomorrow.

Make that choice to step up and resist compromise today.

 

3 Dangerous Compromising Mindsets from the Devil

By Sean

There are three dangerous mindsets that the Devil uses to break us down to compromise. These mindsets are an acid to our judgment and ultimately, it can destroy anyone who unconsciously embraces it. So now, I am bringing these mindsets to consciousness to warn you.

This entry has been inspired by the message of pastor Harold J. Sala in CCF Alabang regarding family

1st mindset: Satan will tell you that God’s standards are too high

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” -  Genesis 3:1

Satan will tell you that you are not capable of living up to God’s standards. He will tell you it’s impossible therefore you have to be what you are – human. And when you make a mistake he’ll tell you to tell yourself that.Isn’t that why we always say ‘I’m only human’ whenever we fail to reach expectations?

For the world, God’s standards will always be too high. That is because He is God and He is perfect. We are marred by sin and imperfection, but the Holy Spirit enables us to be more than just who we are. We are called to be more than humans.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” – 1 John 3:1-2

We are called to be children of God. And as His children, we are called to be like Him – in His rulership, in His character, in His love. Just as children imitate their father or mother, so we are called to imitate God. This is who we are. This is what we were meant to be by God. Not to ‘be human’ as the world imprints on you to be.

2nd mindset: Satan will tell you ‘One time won’t matter. One time can’t hurt.’

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” - Genesis 3:6-7

Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Once. Just once. And when it happened, God didn’t tell them ‘Oh maybe you didn’t hear what I said…’ and gave them another chance.

“So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” - Genesis 3:23-24

Once was all it took for the whole of human race and history to be tarnished by sin, war, famine, pestilence, disease, hate, bitterness, and ultimately, evil. One disobedience was all it took for Adam and Eve and all their descendants to surely die. One sin. One whole race. Once is all the Devil needs to break you down.

One time of sin can result in a lifetime of consequences. Having sex one time can get you pregnant. Having an affair once can give you an STD you’d have to live with for the rest of your life. Once is all the Devil needs to change your life.

3rd mindset: Satan will tell you ‘God won’t be able to forgive what you did anymore’

This is a crippling message that Satan will pummel into your head. When he makes you think that you’re too deep down on your own sin that God’s grace won’t be able to reach you anymore. This is one of the most effective strategies Satan uses even to Christians today. This is a lie. This lie will make you binge and sin more and more thinking ‘I’m already in deep trouble, why not make the most of it?’

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

Sin is sin but God is God. He makes the rules. He can forgive if only we confess our sins.

“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:11

We don’t stop with the forgiveness of our sins. We have to repent, turn to God, and turn away from a life of sin.

“First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” - Acts 26:20

The proof of repentance are your deeds. Are you going back to your sinfulness? Or have you really changed and turn to God? Yes we still fall and make mistakes, but when our hearts are set on God, we sin less and less.

Think Straight

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12: 2

These are some of the most powerful lies the Devil can use to shift your mind to the way of compromise. Be conscious about it and learn God’s truths. Live by God’s standards. Turn to God – that is how you can turn from sin. One mistake can change your life – don’t let it happen.

Blemished Commitments

By Sean

Was there ever a time in your life when you said “Enough is enough, I’m giving all this up to God.”  and then soon after you tell yourself “Maybe I’ll do it just one more time again.” or “Maybe I’ll do it in a lesser manner.” right there and then your surrender to God becomes incomplete.

Half hearted sacrifices

I stumbled upon this verse in Malachi during my quiet time:

“But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my alter. But you say ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor will he accept you or show you favor?” - Malachi 1:6-8

Compromised Surrender

There are things in life that we sacrifice to God and give up to Him in our hopes and expectations that He will help us through. But somehow we find ourselves wanting to get a taste of that which we just surrendered. It’s natural for us to look back and compromise and long for the things that we told ourselves we’d never have anything to do with again.

There was one time that I surrendered to God lately – but I found myself wanting to compromise the commitment. I wanted to go around and find loopholes in the very commitment that I surrendered up to Him. Imagine that.

My heart was all for the commitment during the time that I gave it up. But the heart is deceptive above all things. Sooner than later, I found myself wanting to work my way through the commitment I made little by little – until I was surprised that I have broken it completely. That blemished commitment that I made became no commitment at all and left me feeling sorry for myself.

Intention is not enough

The good thing about making commitments is that you know how far you are willing to go. But intention does not determine the fulfillment of your commitment. It’s the little actions that you take, the little choices that you make that will determine your commitment’s completion.

Desiring to change and surrender something to God is the first step. But that’s as far as it goes. After all has been said and done, it’s the little decisions you’ve made that will matter. It’s the little compromises that you’ve allowed yourself to indulge in that will break you.

Little droplets of choices that make our commitment complete

Little-Big choices

The little choices that you make are not made during the time when you feel tempted to compromise – by then it would be too weak of a choice. You have to make that little choice bigger than it is by deciding beforehand what to do when the time comes that you are tempted to compromise.

Make that little choice bigger by always telling yourself that you’re gonna stick to it and defend it. The little choices that you make are the ones that will take you to your desired destination in light of the commitments and sacrifices you’ve made and given up to God.

Make that little choice bigger today. Give God a complete, unblemished commitment and He will honor you.

Why you Feel Ashamed after Masturbation

By Sean

It’s such a taboo word for men and women alike. The word masturbation is generally avoided because of it’s secrecy and nature. When spoken out in public, it brings a hint of shame in you because it is such a private matter. And isn’t it such for all of us?

It is undeniable that we have appetites

This entry is inspired by my own struggles, experiences, and journey through manhood. By God’s grace and wisdom am I only able to share this with you. Also, check out the 6 Actionable steps to Overcome Pornography post.

Insatiable appetite

Our bodies are made to have certain appetites and cravings – which are all healthy for survival. We crave for food when we’re hungry. It’s a healthy appetite because we need food in order to have energy and in order to live. We crave for fun when we’re bored. It’s a healthy appetite because we need to regulate that energy we have to exercise our bodies and minds. We crave for sex and physical intimacy because we are designed by God for it in order to reproduce and enjoy it’s intimate pleasures.

These cravings and appetites are good and it is meant for our well-being. But it has been twisted and maliced for our destruction by the Devil. Our appetites have been turned on us by this consumer-driven world in which the mindset is “here”, “now”, “fast”, and “don’t deny me” – “me”, “me”, “me”.

You have to understand that the moment you let your appetite have it’s way in you, it becomes your god. And my oh my, how powerful that little god called appetite truly is.

It all starts in the mind

Appetite is triggered within the thought. Likewise self-control is also triggered within the thought. Only one of them can win.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Self-control starts with a choice. A choice to say no malice-driven appetite (which the Bible describes as the evil desires of youth) and to say yes to God’s promises and lifestyle.

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” – 2 Timothy 2:22

 

Your body is satisfied – just for a while

Yep, you got that right. Your body becomes satisfied after the act. It is fulfilled temporarily. But why the empty feeling? Because pleasure for pleasure’s sake is meaningless. And in the act of masturbation, your spirit is fully ashamed and broken.

There is a distortion that happens in you when your body and spirit disagree. You feel it – it manifests itself in emotions and then it tries to pierce your thoughts into pondering the question ‘why’.

There is a bond between your body and spirit that you cannot explain. It is this same connection that gives you the idea that there must be life after death and it is also this same connection that gives you the idea that there must be a Creator behind all the questions of life and the majesty and impossibility of the universe.

This bond is real.

Why is the shame after the act of masturbation so real? So ‘feel-able’ ?

It is because this is a sin that is directly related to your own body. Therefore it is directly related to your own spirit. Directly related to your own soul and emotions.

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” – 1 Corinthians 6:18

The only question you have to honestly ask yourself is, do you feel it?

Then there must be some truth in what I’m saying.

Think about it.

Denying Lust is Saving Sex

By Sean

Sometimes we are led to think that God doesn’t want us to have the pleasure of sex because He has set up all kinds of rules and regulations around it. Why doesn’t he allow pre-marital sex? Why does He say lust is a sin? Because He is saving sex for you.

Inspired by Joshua Harris’ ‘Not even a Hint’

Deny lust to save sex

It’s everywhere

We live in a sex-saturated world where lust is very rampant even with Christians. Pre-marital sex is branded as “okay” as long as it’s safe, and “exciting” when it’s not. Lust is pleasurable, yes. We have that established. But then everything the Bible calls sin is also instantly pleasurable to some degree. After all, if sin is so repulsive, who will want to fall into it’s clutches? As it is, sin is intriguing, exciting and pleasurable – to some instantaneous and temporary degree.

But what does the Bible say about Lust?

“For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.” – Job 31:11-12

Job knows the consequences of the instantaneous but temporary pleasures of lust.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed because these are improper for God’s holy people” – Ephesians 5:3

Hear that? Not even a hint. It means that lust cannot be found anywhere near your thoughts, feelings, actions, expressions, etc.

Now we ask the question

Why? Is the Bible a kill-joy? Does God want to keep the little temporary pleasures from us?

Heck no. God created sex. He knows how sex should exactly be done. He set the boundaries for sex for us to enjoy it in it’s fullness. He is protecting sex by denying lust.

Take a basketball game for example. What do you think will happen if we break the physical-contact rule? It would suddenly become a bloody, elbow-frenzy game. Is it still a game? Yes. But is it played the way it’s supposed to be? No. Would we like it? Definitely not. The finesse of the game would be gone since we can abuse the physical aspect of the game.

That’s just a far-fetched analogy but do you get the picture? There are rules and boundaries set for the game’s full beauty to be enjoyed. It’s the same with sex. God has set boundaries for His creation of sex for us to enjoy it’s full beauty – inside marriage.

Sex is the most pleasurable physical and spiritual act a man and woman can ever have. It also brings the most devastating consequences should it be tampered with. And the Devil is doing exactly that – perverting it’s primary purpose and pleasure to a malicious design. Don’t give in. Protect and save sex by denying lust in your life.

“A 130php coffee is good for me. There’s a planner when I reach my 17th anyway.” Justification is unjust.

By Sean

Ever went to Starbucks and tell yourself this line? I know some people did. Not exactly in this sentence but somewhat around it. This is called justification – it is when you’re training your mind to think about something to be right or alright but your guts tell you isn’t a just or a wise decision.

Justification - it's telling yourself a 130 pesos coffee is good for you

There are a lot of times when we justify in our lives. Life is full of decisions and there are going to be times when we will be faced with ones that pull us to our desires and ones that push us to our limits. Justification can be one of the heart-soothers and peace-givers of our decision making.

Why am I talking about justification? Because I think we should not justify in any way. Maybe you’re asking “Why? What’s so wrong with justification? I get away with it sometimes!” Well, justification is the brother and best friend of compromise. Ever thought about why it’s called “JUSTIFICATION”? Because it is something to make just in your own standards something that is already unjust. It is twisting your fabric of conscience to bending to your will instead of listening to it.

Justification ALWAYS settles for the something GOOD, taking your focus away from something that’s BEST. It might be good at the moment, but at the long run, you might regret it big time.

So next time you tell yourself that a 130 pesos coffee is good for you, remember this: IT’S NOT! If you justified in any way, it means you’re dealing with something that’s unjust in the first place!!!

Video: Allen Iverson says: “Practice is important… But it’s worthless compared to the game”

By Sean

Allen Iverson rationalizes and justifies that practice isn’t as important as the game. He pushes the thought to silliness – that practice is practice and the game is what matters. Watch it.

Well let me tell you men and women
Life is all about practice.
If all you’re worried about is the game itself, it’ll be too late for you to win because you’ve already lost at practice
When crunch time comes, and God tells you “So what’s your decision?” All the things you’ve practiced doing in your life will be the one to shape your choice. The GAME DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE IT’S THE ONE MOMENT IN LIFE WHERE YOU MAKE THE CHOICE – ONE CHOICE – that’s all you get. WHAT MATTERS IS HOW YOU BUILT YOURSELF TO MAKE THE RIGHT ONE AND HOW YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT CHOICE COUNT

Subtle compromise – so you think you’re okay?

By Sean

Doing okay

Have you ever thought of yourself as “okay” or “doing alright”? Have you ever told yourself “I’m doing better than most” or “I’m on the safe side”? We all have. There are dangers when we become comfortable with ourselves why? Because it is especially when compromise takes root in our hearts thoughts.

Jesus’ ministry lasted for three and a half years – that’s the whole time He used to change the world. And Judas Iscariot followed him all the way. But what happened? At the very last moment, Judas decided to choose a major decision contrary to everything he saw, heard and learned within those three and a half years of struggling along with Jesus in His ministry. So what happened?

Judas compromised

He might not have known it but he compromised every step of the way for those three years. He helped himself with the money put in the treasury (Judas was the treasurer of the ministry) and it might not be too big a deal since the ministry never once lacked money or something to eat (at least it was never mentioned in the Bible that they did) but that is called compromise – not wanting the best and settling for what’s good because of comfort and pleasure.

Judas travelled that thin line between right and wrong. Occasionally, he would trip and fall on the wrong side, helping himself with the treasury but oftentimes he would lean more on the “right” side, driving out demons in Jesus’ name, preaching the good news, helping out the poor. In his heart, he thought he was “okay” that he was “doing alright”.

For three and a half years

Judas thought he was really doing well! Will you stick to a person and do what you’re doing for three and a half years, suffering from no homage, from persecution, etc ., if you don’t really believe in what you’re doing and think you’re not “okay”? No! Judas definitely believed he was “okay”.

But he was walking the line all along

Compromise corrupts Decision

And at the end of those three and a half years, all of the little decisions that Judas compromised in affected his sense of judgment. And when crunch time came along and it was time to make the big decision, all of the little decisions he made summed up themselves in his choosing the big one. He chose to betray the Master. Out of all the reasons he could have chosen in the three and a half years he spent with the Messiah, still he chose to betray Jesus. Why?

Because compromise corrupts your ability to decide

If you are not faithful with the little things, you won’t be faithful with the big ones. This is exactly what we can see in the life of Judas. He wasn’t faithful in the little decisions he made, so when crunch time came along, he wasn’t faithful with the big ones too.

My challenge to you is

Re-evaluate yourself. Don’t stick to the thought that you’re “Okay”. I say this because even I have some things that I compromise with. But the Bible has made me aware of these things and is still doing so every day of my life. Think of all the little things you compromise in and decide now to pursue the best. God’s best for you in everything. Do not compromise. It will corrupt you.

Galatians 6: 7-8

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

The Chimpanzee and sin: God and Compromise

By Sean

Geneticists say that the difference in the human DNA with a Chimp’s is just 1.82%

Imagine that, a 1.82% difference! Usually we shrug off a 1.82% right? With safeguard cleaning 99% of all germs, we still buy it (What’s 1% germ anyway!) right? What the heck could go wrong with 1.82%?

From a human to a Chimpanzee

We are 1.82% short of looking like a Chimp. If God committed a 1.82% mistake, we’d be as ugly as they are. Imagine, just a 1.82 mistake in your DNA and you’d be a chimp? Civilization will never be, our arts, our music wouldn’t exist. Our DNA has to be 100% precise for us to possibly exist. God made it possible.

From Chimpanzee to sin

For God, our lives look the same as a 1.82% difference would make us a chimp. A small portion of sin in our lives, even just 1.82% of it will ultimately make us as dirty in God’s eyes as a human is unimaginably compared to a chimp. God demands Holiness in our lives, which means a 100% setting aside our lives for Him.

One sin is already enough to make us a bad sight in the God’s eyes. Imagine how precise God is. He is a perfect God and we are created in His image and likeness. Only our sinful desires rooted in our sinful nature make us incapable of perfection. Otherwise God created us perfectly, therefore we are capable of pleasing Him in a perfect way.

The point is…

God didn’t make us to be chimpanzees. He really set in His mind to create men – in His image and likeness. He made us and designed us. He knows our functions and purposes and He knows exactly what we are capable of. He knows us.

And His main design for our lives is already written in His word. His manual for life. To live like human beings, we have to know what being human is about. The Bible, the Word of God, claims that it knows what to be human is about – it is actually the only book to do so.

My challenge to you guys

Is that you live a life that is Holy and pleasing to Him. Everyday in every way. Don’t compromise. Compromise makes you a chimp – and don’t even think they’re cute. Just don’t.

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