I was talking to a friend today who is struggling with temptation. Here are some of the things that I suggested.
The best advice I was given as a college student was to follow 2 Tim 2:22 "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." NASU
When in temptation of the flesh the best thing is to escape. Run. This escape is in two ways. Get your mind on something else. Often I used memorized scripture verses to get me thinking in a new direction. My favorite was Ps 119:9-11 "How can a young man keep his way pure?By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart;do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you." NIV
The second way to escape is to literally walk away. Pull yourself out of an embrace that is tempting you, kiss your love good night and leave, or you both go out together to some place public. In fact you should avoid getting to that place anyway by escaping earlier :-)
The second part of 2Tim.2:22 talks about filling your life with good things. If find if I am running after righteousness in an aggressive way, I will not as easily get caught in temptation.
Remember temptation is not sin. Yielding to temptation is sin.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
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