Facing Temptation
Temptation is something with which we can all identify. No one is excluded unless we are living in the unreality of perfected holiness. Scripture is clear that we will face temptation until we are saved from the presence of sin on the day we depart this earth and dwell in heaven (Romans 8:18-25. Are we victims of temptation with no way to resist? Some might think so when they lay all the blame on Satan (“The devil made me do it.”) Abdicating responsibility is not only typically human (see our original parents excuses in Genesis 3) but is also typical of our culture. For those who have put their trust in Christ and have experienced His transformation, temptation can be faced with a new perspective and His resources. Our enemy and our flesh have identical personalities. Recognize that we are surrounded by a demonic spirit world and that the main source of our temptation comes from within. Spend less time focusing on what the demonic world might be doing and focus more on the temptations that come from within (Mark 7:18-23 and James 1:12-15).
Temptation is a lie wrapped in shades of truth. Our enemy’s solicitations and likewise our flesh are always designed to convince us through a lie that we are missing something in our life. You can face temptation with the question, “What lie am I being fed?” For instance it is a lie that if I give into temptation I will be satisfied. Just one more cookie and we will be satisfied ... but we end up eating the whole bag. The lie is the old lie that God is depriving us and that He really doesn’t have good things for us. When we give in we lose the opportunity to grow in strength to resist temptation and our giving up can develop into a stronghold (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)and hardness of heart (Hebrews 3:4-5). Each time we take a stand against temptation we grow stronger to resist (James 4:7-10).
We can also face temptation by refreshing our faith perspective on our identity. As For believers who have been made new in Christ, temptation is an insult to our new found dignity in Christ. We have been seated with Him in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:4-6). We have an incorruptible inheritance that is not subject to recession, greed, and deceit (1 Peter 1:3-5). We are God’s unique design, created with good and great works in His mind prepared long before we came to life. Take the thought of your redeemed character and throw it back in the face of temptation. You are too great to stoop so low. Take time to rejoice over the new person that God has made you and wait on Him to reveal the better things He has for you. Delayed disobedience makes you stronger. Delayed obedience makes you weaker. As someone who has been made new in Christ, you have a new freedom to resist. Temptation no longer has to dominate your life. You will be more convinced of this as you exercise faith that counts on reality being defined by the truth of God’s Word rather than feelings or circumstances. This is a wonderful freedom that will bring deep and abiding joy. Don’t let temptation rob you of His joy. (Check out Dr. Ken Boa’s Identity Affirmations and His Personal Affirmations for Handling Temptations).
Enjoy Him and His strength, fellow traveler!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Reading List
What am I reading these days. Here's a brief list of what I have read over the last several months or have still to read. You can see there is some history, some cultural reflection, some classic enriching reading plus anything else that I can get my hands on or find time to read.
Augustine to Freud, Dr. Ken Boa: along with my listing of many of his lectures which you can find at his web site: www.kenboa.org I have also picked up this book based on his PhD in philosophy at Oxford University. You can find the essence of this book at his website. [Amazon]
The Rise of Evangelicalism; The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys by Mark Noll is the first in a series, A History of Evangelicalism.
I started into the series as a follow-up on my reading of
A History of Christian Theology by Roger Olsen. [Amazon]
The Expansion of Evangelicalism: The Age of More, Wilberforce, Chalmers and Finney (second in the History of Evangelicalism series) [Amazon]
The Dominance of Evangelicalism; The Age of Spurgeon and Moody by David Bebbington (third in the series History of Evangelicalism, two more yet to be published) [Amazon]
From Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Barzun is a book I have had on my shelf for awhile and have wanted to read as a continuing awareness of our Western History. [Amazon]
Barbarian Invasion; From Paganism to Christianity by Richard Fletcher continues my history reading from J. Barzun's history. [Amazon]
The Birth of the Modern; World Society 1815-1830 by Paul Johnson continues history from Fletcher. I have read several historical works by Paul Johnson. [Amazon]
History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani was recommended to me by a professor at Rice University and someone I have know for almost 50 years. I highly respect his opinion. [Amazon]
Darwin's Century; Evolution and the Men who Discovered it by Loren Eiseley. This is a book I have wanted to read and also has been on my shelf for awhile. I am intrigued by what thought process and cultural influences led to athe acceptance of Darwin's theory. [Amazon link]
Signs of Intelligence; Understanding Intelligent Design, edited by William A. Dembski & James M Kushiner. William Dembski is a mathematician and philosopher, as well as editor of Mere Chreation and author of The Design Inference. What a nice combination of academic specialties. [Amazon Link]
Christian Perfection; Devotional Reflections on the Christian Life by the seventeenth-century mystic, Francois Fenelon. I first picked up on this enduring classic work when I listened to a series of presentations by Ken Boa on Great Books at the bible.org web site. [Amazon Link]
The New Faithful; Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy by Colleen Carroll. I picked this up at some bookstore awhile ago in their reduced price books and thought then it would be an interesting read. It has been in parts, still interesting. [Amazon link]
Enough for right now ... off to do some more reading.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Faith Assignment No.2
I have another faith assignment for you. Review the definition of faith and work on this application of faith. We all face moral challenges each day, especially when your see a moral challenge as anything that is contrary to the character and will of God. Remember the Pharisees? They adjusted sin so that it met their criteria. Jesus nailed them in the Sermon on the Mount by describing sin in internal terms. They were found guilty, as we all are. Listen to these insightful words from the Master psychologist:
"What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' (Mark 7:20-23)
Jesus’ insight to human nature doesn’t quite match with our modern assessment of human “mistakes”. Current culture attributes them to parents, society, or just poor education. But Jesus is an honest doctor giving us an accurate diagnosis and then provides for us the perfect resolution.
Check out these fruits of the flesh for further conviction:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Jesus’ brother James must have been listening for he also offers convicting insight:
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)
Here is my faith application:
1. The next time your are tempted to sin, and remember sin is anything that is contrary to the righteous character of God ... ask yourself, why do I want to do this? Somewhere in your natural, fallen nature, there is a voice saying, “you need this, want this, can’t live without it.”
2. Thank God for His intervention and moral conviction. How would you know this if it wasn’t for His presence in your life. This is the love of God who loves you so much that He doesn’t want you to head down the wrong path.
3. Remember (this is where faith comes in) that God has delivered you from being in subjection to your fallen nature and has given you new life. This new life has great things for you. You have been set free from the domination of your old self (Romans 6:1-7). You are free to walk the path of right living. This is grace.
4. This is worth working on. You are not alone in the process but have God’s infinite resources available to you (Philippians 2:12-13). He has something far better for you.
Enjoy His life transforming presence. Cultivate delight in Him as He accomplishes His perfect work. Let me know how you are doing.
"What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' (Mark 7:20-23)
Jesus’ insight to human nature doesn’t quite match with our modern assessment of human “mistakes”. Current culture attributes them to parents, society, or just poor education. But Jesus is an honest doctor giving us an accurate diagnosis and then provides for us the perfect resolution.
Check out these fruits of the flesh for further conviction:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Jesus’ brother James must have been listening for he also offers convicting insight:
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)
Here is my faith application:
1. The next time your are tempted to sin, and remember sin is anything that is contrary to the righteous character of God ... ask yourself, why do I want to do this? Somewhere in your natural, fallen nature, there is a voice saying, “you need this, want this, can’t live without it.”
2. Thank God for His intervention and moral conviction. How would you know this if it wasn’t for His presence in your life. This is the love of God who loves you so much that He doesn’t want you to head down the wrong path.
3. Remember (this is where faith comes in) that God has delivered you from being in subjection to your fallen nature and has given you new life. This new life has great things for you. You have been set free from the domination of your old self (Romans 6:1-7). You are free to walk the path of right living. This is grace.
4. This is worth working on. You are not alone in the process but have God’s infinite resources available to you (Philippians 2:12-13). He has something far better for you.
Enjoy His life transforming presence. Cultivate delight in Him as He accomplishes His perfect work. Let me know how you are doing.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Faith Assignment - Anger
How does someone who lives by faith overcome anger? This is my first application of the Faith Assignment, my congregation, that I handed out last Sunday. Rehearse the faith definition. Hopefully by now you have it somewhere convenient (3 x 5 card, printed off); copied someway so that you have regular access to it.
Faith is believing God and His Word regardless of my feelings or circumstances. In other words, is what God says shapes the reality of my life or do I allow feelings and circumstances shape my reality? Feelings and circumstances are real things but our lives do not need to be managed by them. God has set us free so that we can live according to His call on our life.
Here is a verse we have covered in Philippians that describes your new reality as a believer:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion (Philippians 2:1) - Remember the thrust of the logic in this passage is such that it is a condition that is assumed to be true. You are united with Christ, you do have comfort from His love, you do have fellowship with the Spirit. Count on it. Faith gives you focused trust on the secure character of God and how He has defined life for you.
Okay, now we are ready to address anger. Can I justify anger? Sure, if you have the perfection that Jesus brought to life. All of us can find ways to justify anger but James doesn’t leave us any room for our argument.
for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:20)
What usually happens with anger? I have an expectation that is not being met. It may be my time, it may be what I believe is deserved treatment (work, in traffic, in the check out line) and I justify my reaction with anger. What if I thought differently according to faith? Is not God in control and does He not have my best interests at heart? (Romans 8:28) So trust in God’s oversight of all my circumstances and do not lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). And allow my fellowship with the Spirit to express His fruit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
You say, this is hard to do. Absolutely. This requires reliance upon the internal, supernatural, and gracious work of God, something we may not be in the habit of drawing upon. If we have been operating in our natural self for a long time, it will take time for the paradigm shift to play a ruling influence in our life. You have to start somewhere. Start by focusing on the definition of faith and asking God to help you remember that He has defined who you are. Refuse to allow your feelings and circumstances to dictate your reality. God has rescued you from this and has given you a new way of living.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
n Trust Jesus and the truth of His words. Let me know how you are doing. More to follow.
Pastor Joel
Faith is believing God and His Word regardless of my feelings or circumstances. In other words, is what God says shapes the reality of my life or do I allow feelings and circumstances shape my reality? Feelings and circumstances are real things but our lives do not need to be managed by them. God has set us free so that we can live according to His call on our life.
Here is a verse we have covered in Philippians that describes your new reality as a believer:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion (Philippians 2:1) - Remember the thrust of the logic in this passage is such that it is a condition that is assumed to be true. You are united with Christ, you do have comfort from His love, you do have fellowship with the Spirit. Count on it. Faith gives you focused trust on the secure character of God and how He has defined life for you.
Okay, now we are ready to address anger. Can I justify anger? Sure, if you have the perfection that Jesus brought to life. All of us can find ways to justify anger but James doesn’t leave us any room for our argument.
for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:20)
What usually happens with anger? I have an expectation that is not being met. It may be my time, it may be what I believe is deserved treatment (work, in traffic, in the check out line) and I justify my reaction with anger. What if I thought differently according to faith? Is not God in control and does He not have my best interests at heart? (Romans 8:28) So trust in God’s oversight of all my circumstances and do not lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). And allow my fellowship with the Spirit to express His fruit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
You say, this is hard to do. Absolutely. This requires reliance upon the internal, supernatural, and gracious work of God, something we may not be in the habit of drawing upon. If we have been operating in our natural self for a long time, it will take time for the paradigm shift to play a ruling influence in our life. You have to start somewhere. Start by focusing on the definition of faith and asking God to help you remember that He has defined who you are. Refuse to allow your feelings and circumstances to dictate your reality. God has rescued you from this and has given you a new way of living.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
n Trust Jesus and the truth of His words. Let me know how you are doing. More to follow.
Pastor Joel
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Faith Assignment
(This is being handed out to my congregation this morning)
From: Pastor Joel
To: My Southwood Family
February 8, 2009
I have a faith assignment for you. It is a step that will help you shape your heart in harmony with the heart of God. The first step is to memorize (or write on a 3 x 5 card), the following definition of faith.
Faith is believing God and His Word regardless of my feelings or circumstances.
This definition will help you exercise your mind and heart to see how close you are to operating in harmony with how God has shaped your life. It is His Word that defines the true reality of the way life is to be lived, not my feelings or circumstances. See if you can’t proceed throughout your day by allowing God’s definition of real life to have the upper hand.
We have already encountered some aspects of this in Philippians.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Philippians 2:1)
In Philippians 1:6 and 2:1 you have God’s sovereign and gracious shaping of your life as a believer. You don’t have to feel these realities for them to be true. They are true because God says they are true. He is at work in you. You are united with Christ. He does provide comfort from His love. And, you have fellowship with the Spirit of God. Take the definition of faith, and remind yourself throughout the day of these realities. You are not alone. Check out my blog article, “A Dark Night in Recovery,” to see my own experience on this.
From: Pastor Joel
To: My Southwood Family
February 8, 2009
I have a faith assignment for you. It is a step that will help you shape your heart in harmony with the heart of God. The first step is to memorize (or write on a 3 x 5 card), the following definition of faith.
Faith is believing God and His Word regardless of my feelings or circumstances.
This definition will help you exercise your mind and heart to see how close you are to operating in harmony with how God has shaped your life. It is His Word that defines the true reality of the way life is to be lived, not my feelings or circumstances. See if you can’t proceed throughout your day by allowing God’s definition of real life to have the upper hand.
We have already encountered some aspects of this in Philippians.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (Philippians 2:1)
In Philippians 1:6 and 2:1 you have God’s sovereign and gracious shaping of your life as a believer. You don’t have to feel these realities for them to be true. They are true because God says they are true. He is at work in you. You are united with Christ. He does provide comfort from His love. And, you have fellowship with the Spirit of God. Take the definition of faith, and remind yourself throughout the day of these realities. You are not alone. Check out my blog article, “A Dark Night in Recovery,” to see my own experience on this.
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