Title: Special 26_ Purpose-driven life_ Overcoming tests
Contents
Overcome temptation” (2 Timothy 2:22)
“Flee also the lusts of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. He promised, “Nevertheless, we feel that the tests are too great to bear. But these are our feelings and not the facts. God never allows us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. If we are to overcome temptation, we must We must do our part by doing the four biblical elements, then we will be able to either overcome the temptation or avoid it.
1. You need to divert your attention.
Clinging to temptation alone makes it stronger. The Bible tells us to shift our attention away from temptation rather than telling us to face it. When we focus our attention on what is wrong, we focus on it. Every time we try to get a thought out of our head, it gets stuck in our memory more deeply.
Temptation is even worse. You cannot defeat temptation by fighting the emotion of temptation. Since temptation comes from the thought, the quickest way to neutralize it is to divert your attention. This is the first step in overcoming temptation. Job confessed, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why should I pay attention to a virgin?” (Job 31:1), and David said, “Turn my eyes away from looking at vanity” He confessed. (Psalm 119:37)
We have to remember this. If you focus on it, you will never get out of it. Why do you fail on a diet? Doesn't the no smoking slogan written on your desk remind you even more of a cigarette? And don't you get even more nervous when you stand on stage? The test starts with getting our attention. That's why we turn it off. Ignoring the test is much more effective than fighting for it.
▶This actually means getting out of life's circumstances. Running away is also a great way. Get up, turn off the TV, get up in the middle of a movie...Joseph overcame the test in this way. Also, by taking the test or interest It is also important to focus on the good rather than to get caught.
Satan cannot get our attention if we have already set our minds on other thoughts. This is how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). The Bible repeatedly tells us to focus our thoughts on the good. “Consider Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1) “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are godly, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things Whatever is worthy of love, whatever is praiseworthy, if there is any virtue or if there is any praise, consider these things” (Philippians 4:8).
2. You should share the problem with a good Christian friend or a group that can help.
We don't have to tell the whole world, but at least we need to talk to one person to whom we can be frank: “Two are better than one, for we will have a good reward for our hard work. I will lift him up, but woe to him who is alone and stumbles and has no one to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
If I am repeatedly losing, it is a problem I cannot overcome on my own. This requires encouragement from others. Some trials can only be overcome with the help of those who pray and encourage them, and those who believe in them. Confess and pray for one another so that they may be healed. The prayers of the righteous have great power at work” (James 5:16)
Therefore, you must confess, not suppress. You must express, not hide. Expressing your emotions is the beginning of healing. Hiding makes the wounds deep, but revealing them makes them smaller. What are you hiding that is not your problem? Talk about what Are you afraid to do it? We can't solve it on our own. It makes us feel humble to show our weaknesses to others. But if we are not humble, we cannot improve. “But he gives more grace. It is said that grace is given to the humble. Therefore submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7) You should share the problem with a good Christian friend or a group that can help.
3. We must fight against evil.
We must not surrender ourselves passively to Satan's attacks. We must fight against it. The New Testament describes us as soldiers waging spiritual warfare. The best attack is the greatest defense. If we do, evil will disappear from our lives.
▶If so, how will you resist the devil? “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Holy Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). When Satan comes, you must proclaim the Word. Satan is afraid of the Word. Jesus is also afraid of the Word. Did you not overcome the test? Rather, if you attack aggressively, Satan will retreat. You need to memorize the Bible a lot.
4. You must realize your weaknesses.
God warns us not to be conceited and not to be overconfident in ourselves, because it brings disaster. So Jeremiah says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt” (Jeremiah 17:9). Given the circumstances, we Anyone can sin. Therefore, we must never let go of our vigilance. We must think that we cannot be tempted. We must not put ourselves in a situation where we can be tempted (Proverbs 14:16). Avoid it. It is important to remember that it is easier to avoid temptation than to escape it. That is why the Bible says, “Do not be overly naive or overconfident in yourself. You are no exception. You can fall as easily as anyone else. Confidence Forget about it. It is of no use. Build your trust in God” (1 Corinthians 10:12Mag).
(結論) In order for us to pass the exam, we need to divert our attention, share the problem with a good Christian friend or group that can help us, fight against evil, and realize our own weaknesses. Only then can we overcome the exam. From now on, whenever there is a test, don't fall and become discouraged and discouraged. I hope that you will overcome the test with the spiritual wisdom God has given you and that you will be able to grow one step further through this process. (Amen)
☞ Questions about life
1. Why does the more you try to shake off temptation, the deeper you fall into the thoughts of temptation?
2. Who can you ask to be your prayer partner to help you overcome the never-ending trials?