Reducing Temptation's Pull
Theme of the Week: Meet the Tempter Head-on
Friday, July 24, 2009
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Key Bible Verse: "For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will" (John 6:38). Bonus Reading: Psalm 37:4; 40:8
Does temptation ever lose its power? Not completely. Even when we're motivated by a desire to please God we experience conflict because God often requires obedience that runs counter to human motivations. Jesus himself expressed this conflict [in today's Key Bible Verse]. He voluntarily set aside any personal ambitions and submitted himself to his Father's will.
The conflict between your immediate interests and God's long-range goals is never just going to go away. But when you begin to commit yourself to God, the Holy Spirit begins to resolve these conflicts. He pulls the fragments of your life together. He shows you his truth as a standard for making choices. He teaches you a single-mindedness that you never knew before. He shows you the rewards of living in his love and justice.
This helps us understand Jesus' conflict. True, His human inclinations ran contrary to what the Father's will required. Paul says that "even Christ didn't live to please himself" (Romans 15:3). But, as David predicted Christ's words, in Psalm 40, the Son's satisfaction in doing the Father's will was much greater than his natural desire to avoid suffering.
—Erwin Lutzer in Getting to No
My Response: An instance in which what God requires has become what I desire is …
Thought to Apply: The Spirit's control will replace sin's control. His power is greater than the power of all your sin. —Erwin Lutzer (Illinois pastor)
Adapted from Getting to No (Cook, 2007) by permission.
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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I can't take on the devil in my own strength, Lord. Help me soak up your Word so that my will will align with yours.
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