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Q. How can I be delivered from temptation?

A. Two things. First, know the steps in falling prey to temptation. James says, "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 1:14-15).

We get into trouble when we allow our desires to dictate our actions. This leads to a death that occurs in your spirit when you continue in sin and don't make the changes you need to make. Some of you—if not spiritually dead—are on life support!

Stop! Call it sin. Face it and deal with it. If you don't you will never move forward to be what God wants you to be.

Second, form a strategy to short-circuit the steps of temptation.

Stay out of certain places. If you have a problem with alcohol, don't go to a bar to prove how strong you are. I love butter pecan ice cream. I had to tell my wife, "Don't buy any more butter pecan ice cream, because if you bring it home, I'm going to eat it." If you make the sin you enjoy available, you're going to be in trouble.

Flee immorality. First 1 Corinthians 6:18 says you've got to run the other way. I know the lure is there. If I don't want to get caught, I won't swim around the bait and play with it. Don't see how close you can get to fire before you get burned. Go toward godliness. For example, I can't be in the bar watching the game at 12 o'clock on Sunday. Why? Because I'm in the right place. Fill your life with positive things that God can use to help you develop to be who He wants you to be.

D. Z. Cofield is pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.

Adapted from Preaching Today (181).

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Prayer for the Week

God, may I hunger and thirst for righteousness.

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