Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Keys to powerful living,freedom from sinful thought:

KEYS TO POWERFUL LIVING
Overcoming Sexual Sins
By CBN.com
   CBN.com – Human sexuality can be one of the most
beautiful aspects of God's plan for His children here
on earth. But since Adam and Eve's fall from grace,
human sexual practices have drifted from God's
purposes.
In fact, if we are not careful to look to our Heavenly Father
and follow His teaching in this area, we live a life which
makes us slaves to sin and fails to bring glory to our Lord.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
If you are struggling with sexual sin, you are not alone. Even
King David -- a man after God's own heart -- wrestled with
sexual sin. When he saw a beautiful woman named
Bathsheba, he was overcome by his own lust. He then went
to great lengths to hide his sin. But thanks to a faithful friend
and a forgiving God, David found his way home
(2 Samuel 11:12). And so can you.
FREEDOM IN THE TRUTH
Too often, we step onto the wrong path in our sexuality
because we fail to act upon God's truth. Jesus, in one
passage of the Bible, examines the freedom found in truth, and
the enslaving power of lies. In that passage, the Lord puts it
plainly: the truth sets us free. We either respond to the truth
or to Satan's lies (John 8:31-47 ).
Recognizing the truth about sex can be an important first step
to achieving victory over sexual sins. First, God wants His
children to enjoy the beauty of appropriate sexual
relationships. The King of the universe has much to say in His
Word about the joys to be found in a marriage where both
husband and wife know and love Christ ( Gen. 2:24-25 ;
Prov. 5:19; Song of Solomon).
However, the devil, the accuser of our souls, constantly tries
to wreck God's plans. He lies to us, tempting us to believe
that we can grab hold of sexual pleasures apart from a
marriage commitment. He uses day-to-day pressures and our
own sinful nature to accomplish his purposes.
And what begins as merely a "wandering thought" can quickly
tempt us to act sinfully ( James 1:14-15 ). These sins can
involve pornography, fornication, adultery, prostitution,
homosexuality, and other ungodly sexual practices.
No matter what sins overcome us, we must recognize that
lust is at the root of our sin (1 John 2:16 ; Gal. 5:16-20 ). Lust
blinds us and leads us deeper into sexual sin (1 Tim. 4:1-2 ;
Rom. 1:21-27 ; Eph. 4:17-19 ). Each sin results in the same
end (Rom. 6:23 ) and can carry deadly consequences of
disease, and worse:spiritual death.
BREAKING THE CHAINS
To break the bonds of sexual sins, you must repent. That
means a total change of direction, away from the sins and
temptations, and toward the forgiving grace of a loving God. If
you have allowed lust to control your life, yield to God as the
Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin. God will forgive and
cleanse you physically, emotionally and spiritually, if you
humbly come to Him (1 John 1:8,9 ; Psalm 103:12;
Romans 6:23).
If you do not know that Jesus is your Savior, turn your life
over to Him. Simply pray this prayer: "Jesus, I know You died
for me. Thank You for saving me from my sins. I ask You to
be Lord and Savior of my life."
Once you know Jesus as Savior take comfort in knowing that
He identifies with your struggles and He desires to set you
free (Heb. 4:14-16 ). He will enable you to gain the victory.
FIGHTING THE DAILY BATTLE
To overcome the temptations you will continually face, follow
God's simple plan:
Stand firm against temptation (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:6-9; 2
Tim. 2:22).
Confess your sins to a brother or sister in Christ and pray to
be healed (James 5:16).
Hide God's Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11), trusting in its
strength (Heb. 4:12).
Minister to God with sacrifices of praise (Heb. 13:15) until you
are filled with the peace and joy of the Lord (Isaiah 26:3).
Most of all, the change must come from within (see Prov.
23:7). Fill your mind with God's thoughts, not worldly
thoughts. And remember, the Bible says that God can be
trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and He will show
you how to escape from your temptations (1 Cor. 10:13).
Finally, become part of an active Spirit-filled church. Study
the Bible daily. Pray constantly and befriend other like-minded
Christians. If you continue to give into temptations, you may
need the help of a minister, counselor and/or other prayer
partners.
AS YOU PRAY
Are you currently struggling with sexual sins? Despite the
power these sins can have over us, you can have victory
through the cleansing blood of Jesus and His grace to live
each day.
Pray right now: "Father, forgive me and heal me from the
sexual sins which have kept me separated from Your love.
Help me to recognize and accept the power Jesus offers to
restore me to wholeness. Help me to flee from all influences
which cause me to sin, and allow me the meekness and
humbleness I need to confide in a brother or sister in Christ
and be healed. Encourage me and strengthen me with your
holy and powerful Word. Amen."
GOD'S WORD ON SEXUAL SIN
"Don't you know that your bodies are part of the body of
Christ? Is it right for me to join part of the body of Christ to an
immoral woman? No, it isn't! ... Surely you know that your
body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in
you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God
paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor
God." ( 1 Cor. 6:15 , 19-20).
SCRIPTURES FOR STUDY
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 -- God's will concerning sex
Proverbs 2:12-22 ; 6:20-35 -- The need for God's Word and
wisdom
Psalm 51:7 -- Assurance of cleansing
James 1:12 -- Rewards for resisting sexual sin
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
Through our daily inspirational television program, The 700
Club, and other outreach efforts, CBN ministers to millions
every day in more than 70 nations. Each outreach of CBN is
supported by friends like you who participate in spreading the
Good News of Jesus Christ. For information on how you can
take part in this exciting ministry outreach, call or write today.
Scripture references are from the Contemporary English
Version.
CBN.com -- A troubling addiction. A betraying thought. A
compromising situation. Temptation comes in many forms,
sparking a fierce "winner-takes-all" battle for our souls that
has one goal: to cause us to stray off the path that leads to
godly living.
IS TEMPTATION SIN?
Temptation is not sin. If temptation were indeed sin, then
Jesus would not have led a sinless life. But as the Bible says,
Jesus was "tempted in all things," yet without sin ( Heb. 4:15
).
Still temptation should not be taken lightly. That's because it
is the gateway to sin. Temptation is often strongest when we
are at our weakest. In fact, the longer we allow it to brew in
our thoughts the more dangerous temptation becomes.
Therefore, we must learn to recognize temptation and keep it
in check.
WHAT'S SO TEMPTING?
Temptation is one of the enemy's most powerful "schemes"
for misleading God's people ( Eph. 6:11, 16). It causes us to
focus on the "passing pleasures" ( Heb. 11:25) of sin instead
of the rich rewards of serving God with a pure heart.
The Bible says, "Each one is tempted when he is carried away
and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings
forth death" ( James 1:14,15 ). Thus, our own lusts give
temptation its power over us.
Temptation says, "It's okay to sin just a little bit." But nothing
could be further from the truth ( Num. 32:23; Prov. 15:3 ). In
God's eyes, there are no "small" or "big" sins ( James 2:10).
The wages of sin is always death ( Rom. 6:23).
When we are tempted, we often convince ourselves that we
can hide our sin. But as men and women since the beginning
of time have discovered, there is no hiding from God. "Thou
hast searched me and know me." David said. "Even before
there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, thou dost know
it all" ( Psalm 139:1,4).
Our tempting thoughts also try to undermine or twist the
meaning of the Scriptures. When Jesus was "led up by the
Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted" ( Matt. 4:1 ), the
tempter twisted God's Word in an attempt to lead Jesus
astray.
Ultimately, temptation tries to silence the voice of the Holy
Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to "guide you into all
truth" ( John 16:13 ). By tuning out the Holy Spirit's voice, we
fool ourselves into thinking that we can make it on our own.
THE WAY OUT
Temptation can be difficult to resist. But God has not left us
as helpless victims of temptation. He has promised a "way of
escape" ( 1 Cor. 10:13 ) to all who trust in Him.
The "way" is not a program, but a person: Jesus Christ.
Jesus not only cleanses us from sin, He also understands our
temptations ( Heb. 4:15-16 ). That's why we can come to Him
for help.
If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus as Lord and
Savior of your life, no matter how "good" your life is, you will
never be able to overcome temptation and sin ( Isa. 64:6 ;
Rom. 3:23). First, you need to find new life in Christ ( John
3:16-17). Simply believe in your heart that Jesus was raised
from the dead and confess with your mouth that "Jesus is
Lord" and the Bible says you will be saved ( Rom. 10:9-10 ).
STANDING FIRM
Battling temptation is a daily walk. Even the most loyal
followers of Christ can be tempted ( Heb. 12:1). That'' why the
Lord's prayer instructs us to ask God to "lead us not into
temptation" ( Matt. 6:13).
The following principles can help you fight-and win-against
temptation.
1.Be honest with God. At the time of temptation, don't debate
the issue. The longer we wrestle with tempting thoughts, the
closer we get to committing the sin. Flee from the temptation
as soon as you recognize it ( 2 Tim. 2:22).
2.Recognize your enemy. Understand that this is serious
business! You are engaged in a battle for your very soul.
There is an enemy, the devil, who "prowls about like a roaring
lion, seeking someone to devour" ( 1 Peter 5:8). This enemy
will use any temptation to draw you away from God.
3.Resist through Jesus! Go to the Lord and receive mercy and
grace in your time of need (Heb. 4:15-16 ). Remember, you are
not alone in your struggle. Satan tries to discourage us
through isolation, telling us our temptation is unique. This
simply isn't true ( 1 Cor. 10:13 ).
4.Give Thanks. In the midst of the struggle, thank God for the
opportunity to experience the victory through Him (
Rom. 5:1-5 ). Thank Him for providing a way of escape.
AS YOU PRAY
If you are facing a difficult temptation right now, or if you
have already fallen into temptation and its resulting sin, you
can find freedom and victory. Turn to the Lord right now and
pray.
"Dear Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, which
paid the penalty for my sin. Please keep me from this present
temptation that wars against my soul. In Your perfect love,
provide the way of escape Your Word promises. And thank
You for the grace to walk with You every day. In Jesus'
name. Amen."
GOD'S WORD ON TEMPTATION
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to
man; and God is faithful, 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 Cor. 10:13 ).
SCRIPTURES FOR STUDY
James 1:2-3 , 13 -- We grow as we overcome temptation
Ephesians 5:15-21 -- Keys to walking uprightly
Hebrews 12:1-13 -- Encouragement in Christ
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
Through our daily inspirational television program, The 700
Club, and other outreaches, CBN ministers to millions every
day in more than 70 nations. Each outreach of CBN is
supported by friends like you who participate in spreading the
Good News of Jesus Christ. For information on how you can
take part in this exciting ministry outreach, call or write today.
Scripture references are from the Contemporary English
Version.
More CBN Teaching Sheets
More Spiritual Life
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
Find your way to peace with God
Send us your prayer request online
Call The 700 Club Prayer Center at 1 (800) 823-6053 , 24
hours a day.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of
need.
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