"Overcoming Temptation"

2 Cor 10:3-6  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  (KJV)

Uncontrolled thoughts can become sin.  Satan tempts us by placing bad thoughts in our minds.  Some confuse temptation with sin.  Temptation becomes sin when we allow our minds to dwell on the temptation.  This is why it is so important to pull down those bad thoughts as soon as they enter your mind  

Listen to what the brother of Jesus, James has to say about this.  James 1:14-17 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJ)  The word for drawn away is ex-el’ko.  It means; to entice to sin.  The word for lust means; a longing for what is forbidden. When the thought crosses our mind, it is not a longing. But if we dwell on it, it can become a longing for or a desire.  

These weapons are not carnal but might through God

Zech 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. (NKJ)

Rom 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (NKJ)

2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, (NKJ)

This is not a mind over matter deal.  This is reliance in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Listen to what Paul said: Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  (KJV)  Here is the Key.  Lust is powerful, but not as powerful as the Holy Spirit.  Walk in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit.  Never stop walking in the Spirit.  The moment you stop walking in the Spirit is the moment you subject yourself to the flesh.  Paul the subject of flesh verses the spirit in the book of Romans chapter 8:vs 5-10  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (NKJ)


Weapons of warfare

Eph 6:13-18  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- (NKJ)

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (NKJ)

Pulling down strongholds

Align your thoughts with the Word

Phil 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate (think) on these things. (NKJ)

Bringing thoughts into captivity

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJ)

Bringing thoughts into obedience To Christ

1 Pet 1:14-15 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (NKJ)

James 4:7-8  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJ)

I ran across the road and picked up the lifeless body of my son

We were pastoring in Dawsonville Ga in 1980. One day our youngest son, Steven who was six years old at the time started to cross the busy highway in front of our house to play with his friend. He ran to cross the highway but did not see the picup truck coming around the curve. The truck was running about 55mph. The driver applied his breaks but there was no time to slow the truck.

I was on the lawn mower and turned just in time to see this happen. I ran across the road and picked up the lifeless body of my son.

I lifted him up and said: "Satan, in the name of Jesus you cannot take my son." Then I said, "Father in the name of Jesus let him live." That very instant he caughed and started breathing.

He came out of this with three cracked bones in one foot. To God be the Glory.

A neighbor also saw the accident and said; "I cannot believe Steven survived this."

Today he is 31 years old and looks like a linebacker.