Victory Over Temptation

For years I have been fascinated with Bible verses that have one word repeated three times. It usually turns out that this particular verse is a key verse when it comes to understanding that word or concept.

1 Corinthians 10:13 is one such verse:

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 a way of escape,

that you may be able to bear it.

The word "temptation" or "tempted" is mentioned 3 times in this verse. There are seven monumental statements concerning temptation found right here - keys of wisdom that will help you to understand and overcome any and all temptation:

1. No Temptation has overtaken you - Temptation so often feels as though it overwhelms and overtakes us. We feel as though we have no control over it - or over ourselves. This is not true - Jesus was tempted but He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). Temptation may lead to sin, but it doesn't have to. Temptation is not the same as sin. Temptation asks us a question - sin says, "Yes" to the question.

2. Common to man - Every one of us get tempted. It may seem like we are in some special place where the temptations and trials of our lives are extraordinary...that is not the case. As it turns out...our temptations are very common. All people of all ages, all types, and all cultures are tempted just like we are. Maybe that is why Jesus teaches us to pray: "Lead us not into temptation" (Matt. 6:13).

3. God is faithful - GOD IS FAITHFUL! This statement standouts out as a banner in the midst of the verse. 

• He is faithful to be with us. The Lord is not ashamed of us - no matter what the temptation is, He is there in the midst of it - He stands with us. Temptation might make you feel isolated and alone, but His presence is assured. He never abandons us - especially in the midst of trials and temptations (Heb. 13:5).

• He is faithful to understand our trials...The Lord knows us completely and understands the unique makeup of our lives and what we can bear. He knows us and he knows the trials.

• He is faithful to not allow temptation to come upon us if we cannot bear it - He is our Guard who stands watch over every detail of our lives. He will thwart every temptation and attack that is too much for us to bear. He is our Priest and intercessor who cheers us on in the midst of temptation.

• He is faithful to make a way of escape...He is faithful to carry the burden with us. If we keep our eyes on Him, we will find a way through the darkness, a door to freedom when temptation threatens to overwhelm.

4. God...will not allow - The Lord will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able. He is not the author of the temptation in our lives (James 1:13)...We have an enemy who seeks to destroy us (1Pet. 5:8) but God is the One who watches over us and blocks the attacks of the devil. It is He who says, "Enough!"

5. With the temptation - God never says He will take away the temptation - only that He will make a way for our escape with the temptation. So...even as the battle rages on inside our hearts, God is working on our behalf. Turn your eyes and heart to the Lord during times of struggle. Even while the temptation tugs on our hearts, there is the Lord with His way of escape right through the heat of the battle. The Greek word for the preposition "with" is syn, meaning union, companionship, completeness, possession. I believe that the Lord weaves our way of escape into our union and relationship with Him. The temptation doesn't stand alone to isolate us from God. With the temptation we uncover sonship - with  sonship we find companionship - with companionship is our escape route. When we are with the Lord and possessed by Him, we will find our way to victory.

6. A way of escape - Our escape route may not look the same each time. Sometimes we might escape through prayer (Matt. 26:41). At other times we will need to run from it like Joseph did in Potiphar's house (Gen. 39:12). Jesus used the Word of God to overcome temptation (Matt. 4:5-7); and Paul gave no harbor in his mind for temptation to latch onto - he filled his thoughts with things that are true, noble, pure, excellent, etc. (Phil. 4:8). James instructs us to resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7), so actively standing up to the enemy can be a powerful tactic. We might also have a friend who will faithfully carry our burdens and hold us accountable (Gal. 6:2). Jesus gave us His body and blood so that we might abide in Him and be safe (John 6:56-57). The pathway out of temptation might be unfamiliar at times, but our escape is assured and total victory is always within our grasp.

7. You are able to bear it - The way of escape is given to us so that we can bear the temptation...it does not say that we have a way of escape so that the temptation no longer presents itself. This is a super important distinction. The temptation may continue for a time, but the escape robs it of its power and it's incessant voice dims in the light of God's presence. When we accept His ways and bring Him into the battle we will find the source and birthplace of complete victory. The Greek word for "bear" is hypophérō  which means to undergo hardship and bear it patiently, also - to bear from underneath. it is as if God's strength and power over the temptation rises from deep within us - out of relationship and abiding in Him. It is a patient assurance of our ultimate triumph.

Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. 

Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life

that the Lord has promised to those who love Him

James 1:12

The Cycle of Christian Maturity

Colossians 2:6-13

There are seven things that are WITH HIM and IN HIM from Colossians 2. These seven things are centered around the fact that the fullness of God dwells in Christ. Because of this we are affected deeply. Through these steps, we come to maturity:

The fullness of  God dwells in Christ (Col. 2:9)

i

We walk in Him (Col. 2:6)

i

We get built up and enriched in Him (Col. 2:7)

i

We become complete in Him – Filled with God (Col. 2:10)

i

We are circumcised in our hearts as we remain in Him (Col. 2:11)

i

We are buried with Him into His death (Col. 2:12)

i

We are raised with Him into resurrection power (Col. 2:12)

i

We are forever alive in Him (Col. 2:13)

Because the fullness of God dwells in Christ:
When we walk in Him we are built up and enriched in Him. This makes us complete in Him and filled with God because we are circumcised in Him and buried with Him into His death until we are raised with Him. The result is that we become completely alive forever with Him.

It is the fullness of God in Christ and in us that makes this happen.

Then the cycle begins again - because we are alive in Him...we continue to walk in Him and get built up in Him so that we can be complete in Him...and so on. This is the cycle of our continual maturing in Christ.

Another way to look at it:

Character

Good character is:

- the abode for all virtue

- the foundation for true success

- the strength to overcome every adversity

- the fuel that propels us towards our destiny

- the credentials for building nobility into others

- the light that guides our way through darkness

- the true beauty of our soul

Vivien Hibbert

Worship Wars - The Style of Music

It is hard to find the perfect balance between old and new songs without getting into "wars." That is why our focus HAS to be on the Lord and not on the STYLE of the song. If a song leads us to the King, then it doesn't matter what song it is - the destination is more important. The songs and music are the vehicles that carry our hearts into the presence of the Lord. Church culture, national culture, different generations, etc. all influence what style of vehicle we like...but if we reach the destination of God's presence then we have achieved the primary goal of worship. 

It is possible to have authentic worship with contemporary styles of music, ancient hymns...or no music at all. Whatever songs are able to take your congregation on a journey into God's presence are the "right songs" for your congregation. Worship is not about the music - it is about pouring our hearts before the Lord and communing with Him. We should "fight" to have the presence of God - not to have our particular style of music.

Our problem comes when we fall in love with the Lord as we sing various songs. Those songs become our "friends." they take us on the journey into His presence again and again. Subsequent generations come along and their "friends" are different - they discard our old songs and strike up with new songs that are foreign to our ears. That is why younger people need to have RESPECT for older saints and older folks need to be CHAMPIONS for the music and sounds of subsequent generations. Bottom line: focus on the King - the destination of worship...not on the music which is simply a tool to take us to His presence.

You Worship When...

Some people have a hard time understanding that they are worshipers. They don't express worship outwardly like many others...and they may not have intense feelings of passion like some of us. 

If this describes you - don't focus on your feelings or expressions of worship - just focus on being in His presence - through the Word and in prayer.  Practice BEING with Him in a very simple yet deliberate way.

Apart from all the obvious times when we worship - let me say this...because you have given Him your life:

You worship when you smile at Him

You worship when you smile at strangers

You worship when you serve the unlovely and unholy

You worship when you enjoy what He has made

You worship when you are thankful for all He does

You worship when you obey Him

You worship when you take time to love a child

You worship when you love the old and infirm

You worship when you give Him your time

You worship when you wash the feet of the broken

You worship when you are faithful even when it is difficult

You worship when you seek to understand others

You worship when you wait, and linger in His presence

You worship when you do as Jesus did

You worship when you whisper His name

You worship when you make those thousands of small and large decisions each day that show He is the center of your life and worldview. He is the reason you do what you do. He is the Lord and Champion of your life - this is your reasonable worship (Romans 12:1)