Guarding Against Temptation: Intentional Living for the New Year

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Planning and Guarding Against Temptation

Our lives are shaped by the quality of our decisions, which should be guided by clear values. Without intentional planning, we risk falling into unintended paths. Scripture calls us to be vigilant, as we have an adversary who seeks to exploit our weaknesses. The saying "failing to plan is planning to fail" serves as a reminder that without intentionality, we may end up in places we never intended to be. Our decisions, guided by our values, shape the quality of our lives. We must guard ourselves, recognizing that we are not as strong as we often believe. [38:42]

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs more intentional planning to align with your values, and how can you start today?

Day 2: Recognizing Our Limitations

We often overestimate our ability to resist temptation, a concept known as restraint bias. Acknowledging our limitations helps us remain humble and vigilant, preventing overconfidence that can lead to downfall. Recognizing our vulnerabilities is crucial, as the enemy knows where to attack. By understanding our weaknesses, we can take proactive steps to fortify ourselves against temptation. This humility allows us to rely more on God's strength rather than our own. [40:55]

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you tend to overestimate your strength, and how can you invite God to help you in those areas today?

Day 3: Moving the Line

Establishing boundaries that keep us far from sin is crucial. By creating a safe distance from temptation, we protect ourselves from falling into sin. This proactive approach is not restrictive but freeing, allowing us to live with integrity. Like creating a guardrail to prevent falling off a cliff, setting boundaries helps us maintain a life aligned with our values. This strategy involves deciding in advance to uphold our integrity and rely on God's faithfulness to provide a way out. [41:50]

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: What boundaries can you set today to keep yourself far from temptation, and how will you hold yourself accountable to them?

Day 4: Magnifying the Cost of Sin

Considering the worst-case scenarios and potential consequences of our actions helps us resist temptation. By understanding the true cost of sin, we can make informed decisions that align with our values and avoid regret. This involves reflecting on the potential damage to our relationships, integrity, and spiritual well-being. By magnifying the cost, we gain a clearer perspective on the importance of resisting temptation and choosing the path that leads to life. [49:56]

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)

Reflection: What potential consequences of a current temptation are you facing, and how can reflecting on these help you make a better decision today?

Day 5: Using God's Provided Escape

God promises a way out of every temptation. We must be ready to take the escape route He provides, trusting in His faithfulness to deliver us from the snares of the enemy. This requires us to be vigilant and attentive to the opportunities God places before us to avoid sin. Like Joseph, who fled from temptation, we must decide in advance to uphold our integrity and rely on God's faithfulness to provide a way out. [52:02]

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one temptation you are currently facing, and how can you actively seek and take the escape route God is providing for you today?

Sermon Summary

As we embark on a new year, many of us find ourselves making resolutions and setting goals for the future. However, it's crucial to recognize that while we plan for success, we often overlook the potential pitfalls that can derail our lives. The saying "failing to plan is planning to fail" reminds us that without intentionality, we may end up in places we never intended to be. Our decisions, guided by our values, shape the quality of our lives. Scripture urges us to be vigilant, as we have an adversary, Satan, who seeks to exploit our weaknesses. We must guard ourselves, recognizing that we are not as strong as we often believe.

To combat temptation, we must employ three key strategies. First, we need to "move the line." This means setting boundaries that keep us far from sin, much like creating a guardrail to prevent falling off a cliff. By establishing these boundaries, we create a safe distance from temptation. Second, we must "magnify the cost" of giving in to temptation. By considering the worst-case scenarios and the potential consequences of our actions, we can better resist the allure of sin. Finally, we must "use our escape." God promises that He will provide a way out of every temptation, and we must be ready to take it.

Joseph's story in the Bible exemplifies these principles. He moved the line by avoiding Potiphar's wife, magnified the cost by considering the consequences of sin, and used his escape by fleeing when temptation was unavoidable. Like Joseph, we must decide in advance to uphold our integrity and rely on God's faithfulness to provide a way out.

In our journey, we must also be aware of our vulnerabilities, as the enemy knows where to attack. By understanding our weaknesses, we can take proactive steps to fortify ourselves against temptation. Jesus taught us these principles, moving the line by addressing the heart's intentions, magnifying the cost by highlighting the value of the soul, and providing the ultimate escape through His sacrifice on the cross. As we face the future, let us decide now to overcome temptation and embrace the path that leads to life.

Key Takeaways

1. case scenarios and potential consequences of our actions helps us resist temptation. By understanding the true cost of sin, we can make informed decisions that align with our values and avoid regret. [49:56]
5. Using God's Provided Escape: God promises a way out of every temptation. We must be ready to take the escape route He provides, trusting in His faithfulness to deliver us from the snares of the enemy.

** [49:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - New Year Reflections
[01:15] - Planning for the Future
[02:45] - The Importance of Guarding Ourselves
[03:30] - Understanding Our Adversary
[04:20] - Recognizing Our Weaknesses
[05:10] - Moving the Line
[06:00] - Magnifying the Cost
[07:00] - Joseph's Example
[08:00] - Using God's Escape
[09:00] - Identifying Vulnerabilities
[10:00] - Jesus' Teachings on Temptation
[11:00] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[12:00] - Prayer and Commitment
[13:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Sermon Clips

"Those decisions should be based on your values. And when your values are clear, how many of you have given in to temptation and regretted it? Just me? No. We all have. In the future, Scripture tells us over and over again to be prepared. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians, Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. And Jesus told us in Matthew, But the flesh is weak." [00:39:18] (32 seconds)

"In 2 Corinthians, we hear Paul says, I wrote to you. Why did he write? Satan's not a surprise. We all know, right? We're not aware of his schemes. What are his schemes? We're told Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He knows you. He studies you. He knows your weaknesses. He knows where to attack. Be ready. Be on your guard. Who are you guarding? You." [00:40:24] (31 seconds)

"The second reason we need to prepare, is that you are not as strong as you think. And I'm not as strong as Rex thinks. One time, I was like nine months pregnant, and he thought I could push this gigantic desk up a two-story house. Yeah. No, I'm not as strong as I think. We become overconfident." [00:40:55] (27 seconds)

"So in 1 Corinthians, we're reminded, if you think you're standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. How many of us know that it's the confidence that end up falling? Research backs this up. The official term is called restraint bias, and I've put a little snippet of a study up there." [00:41:21] (22 seconds)

"First one move the line may it'll Falls at the Grand Canyon on average 12 people per year die from accidental Falls at the edge or they were doing something foolish and they just lost their footing did you see last just last week a pregnant woman in Greece was hiking and fell off a cliff she didn't mean to she just got too close so if this is the line and over there is sin over there is what God how close to that line can I get before I fall over how much can I flirt how much can I drink what words can I say how many bless her hearts makes gossip okay hey friends i'm i'm doing an experiment i just want to see how little fuel i can put in the tank and still make it i'm getting off that plane will you make another line back here let's look at some practical things christine gave a testimony on friday night and that's why i have mitch here when she and mitch decided to get sober in 2006 they moved the line they prayed that they wouldn't even have access to what tempted them they moved the line they made sure they weren't even hanging out with those people that they hung out with before that's moving the line they asked god to shut every single door that gave them access to drugs they moved the line they created a barrier between them and sin" [00:42:44] (121 seconds)

"what about what you're looking at on the computer there if you have a problem there are even if you don't there are programs that will block sites that you shouldn't be on there are programs that will send your search history to a friend there are programs there are things that help you create that distance that barrier that's moving the line that's likely to do what you shouldn't be doing move the line i know a person who has a problem with alcohol that person determined that they wouldn't even step foot into a place that served alcohol create the barrier move the line is that restrictive no it's freeing Mitch when you don't have someone offering you something is that a restrictive or is that freeing it's free right you're free you're free you're free you're free you're free you're free you're free you're free off the cliff david said in psalms the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places surely i have a delightful inheritance and if you're like me i cannot walk a straight line and in fact if you want to hear afterwards you can ask me about falling off the cliff a guardrail keeps me fuel decide now to move that line it eliminates the temptation in the future" [00:45:44] (96 seconds)

"He betrayed his master, her husband's trust, his position, and he would be sinning against God. So he resisted. But did that mean that there was no more temptation for Joseph? Day after day, she would find him and speak to him. She hit on him. Come on. Come on. The devil was trying to wear him down." [00:50:32] (26 seconds)

"He had decided in advance that there was nothing she could do that would make him give in. He may not have been strong enough to resist, but what he could do is run. You will be tempted. But the great thing about God is that he is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. And here's the big part of this verse." [00:51:35] (28 seconds)

"But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. God provides an escape for you every time. And you need to decide now that when you're tempted, you will use that escape. There's no temptation that the devil can bring that God won't give you a way out. No lust, no financial temptation, no breach of integrity, no addiction, nothing. He's already created the door. There's another path." [00:52:02] (33 seconds)

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