G
gideons300
Guest
What a great question! There is the answer, and its simplicity will boggle your mind, yet it is true.
Read in Romans 6, and there you will see that three times, Paul talks about us "knowing" certain things, truths that are nailed down, that we can count on, no matter what.
We are told that when Christ died, so did we.
We are told that when Christ rose from the dead to newness of life, so did we, that we are new.
We are told that Christ died to sin ONCE, and in the same way, we are to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin and alive unto Christ. ONCE.
So, here is the truth. When the temptation comes, does it indeed come from within ourselves? Not according to scripture. We are not who we were! We are new, not because we feel it, or becasue we see it, but because God says it! So the temptation, if not from our own minds and hearts, must come from satan.
Here is one of satan's biggest weapons. We are told that he is the accuser of the brethren, right? Now, if we agree with him and listen with guilt to the accusation, even if the truth is that we are new, it does us no good and we end up doing what he suggests.
But here is the secret to how he is so successful. He does not whisper in our ear tempting us to sin, saying "You want to lust. Go ahead." How devious is his tactic, one of those devices we are not to be ignorant of. Ready?
He whispers into our thoughts "I want to lust" in OUR voice.
When we know this, when we understand that the temptation to sin is NOT sin in itself, but the yielding to it is, we are not condemned even when evil thoughts bombard our minds. And how are we to react? The exact same way Jesus did, for he too was tempted as we are. He fought the temptation with truth....
"It is written....."
What amazing victories await us when we learn this, for once we finally believe he has made us new, a "renewing of our minds", how we think about temptation, about ourselves, takes place and we are condemned no more, for the temptation to sin is external to us. We are inside the armor, the temptation is on the outside and the shield of faith DOES quench the fiery arrow.
Satan does not care how religiously involved we get, but let a man take hold of the promise of being made new, and this man is a threat, a BIG threat to his plan.
Now, let's make sure we understand, we CAN still sin, if we waver in the truth and have yet to be fully "established" in the faith. But as we learn to abide in the truth of who we NOW are, light in the Lord, and our shield of faith grows, we find that the sins that once plagued us lose their power over us.
If we slip? Immediately, we repent, we confess, and then? We STAND AGAIN as to who Christ has made us...new creatures. If you want to see satan frustrated, try that tactic, for it drives him crazy. Once you get back up and believe again, amazingly, your faith is not weakened but strengthened and your abiding in the truth becomes even stronger, your trust that our God can keep you from falling even deeper. Amazing God!
I hope this helps. brothers and sisters. We have many victories awaiting us. We can do all things thru Christ who strengthens us. Walking with sin under our feet is not a position we "arrive to", but it is a moment by moment abiding in faith in His promises. As we believe, we enjoy victory.
So, is there still a battle? Of course, but it is not a battle against ourselves. It is a battle of faith, called the "good fight of faith." This is our path to further likeness to Christ, for as we abide in Him and His victory in us, we are changed into the very same image, from glory to glory.
Beware though, many will try to talk you out of this path and get you back to depending upon yourself to walk the walk, but to those who have finally realized they simply do not have the power to resist temptation, and will always fail, and have NO strength, it is these blessed ones who will renew their strength, for they are no longer looking at themselvfes or their abilities, but tyheir eyes are fixed on their savior and His ability to do as He has clearly promised us.
Blessings,
Gideon
Read in Romans 6, and there you will see that three times, Paul talks about us "knowing" certain things, truths that are nailed down, that we can count on, no matter what.
We are told that when Christ died, so did we.
We are told that when Christ rose from the dead to newness of life, so did we, that we are new.
We are told that Christ died to sin ONCE, and in the same way, we are to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin and alive unto Christ. ONCE.
So, here is the truth. When the temptation comes, does it indeed come from within ourselves? Not according to scripture. We are not who we were! We are new, not because we feel it, or becasue we see it, but because God says it! So the temptation, if not from our own minds and hearts, must come from satan.
Here is one of satan's biggest weapons. We are told that he is the accuser of the brethren, right? Now, if we agree with him and listen with guilt to the accusation, even if the truth is that we are new, it does us no good and we end up doing what he suggests.
But here is the secret to how he is so successful. He does not whisper in our ear tempting us to sin, saying "You want to lust. Go ahead." How devious is his tactic, one of those devices we are not to be ignorant of. Ready?
He whispers into our thoughts "I want to lust" in OUR voice.
When we know this, when we understand that the temptation to sin is NOT sin in itself, but the yielding to it is, we are not condemned even when evil thoughts bombard our minds. And how are we to react? The exact same way Jesus did, for he too was tempted as we are. He fought the temptation with truth....
"It is written....."
What amazing victories await us when we learn this, for once we finally believe he has made us new, a "renewing of our minds", how we think about temptation, about ourselves, takes place and we are condemned no more, for the temptation to sin is external to us. We are inside the armor, the temptation is on the outside and the shield of faith DOES quench the fiery arrow.
Satan does not care how religiously involved we get, but let a man take hold of the promise of being made new, and this man is a threat, a BIG threat to his plan.
Now, let's make sure we understand, we CAN still sin, if we waver in the truth and have yet to be fully "established" in the faith. But as we learn to abide in the truth of who we NOW are, light in the Lord, and our shield of faith grows, we find that the sins that once plagued us lose their power over us.
If we slip? Immediately, we repent, we confess, and then? We STAND AGAIN as to who Christ has made us...new creatures. If you want to see satan frustrated, try that tactic, for it drives him crazy. Once you get back up and believe again, amazingly, your faith is not weakened but strengthened and your abiding in the truth becomes even stronger, your trust that our God can keep you from falling even deeper. Amazing God!
I hope this helps. brothers and sisters. We have many victories awaiting us. We can do all things thru Christ who strengthens us. Walking with sin under our feet is not a position we "arrive to", but it is a moment by moment abiding in faith in His promises. As we believe, we enjoy victory.
So, is there still a battle? Of course, but it is not a battle against ourselves. It is a battle of faith, called the "good fight of faith." This is our path to further likeness to Christ, for as we abide in Him and His victory in us, we are changed into the very same image, from glory to glory.
Beware though, many will try to talk you out of this path and get you back to depending upon yourself to walk the walk, but to those who have finally realized they simply do not have the power to resist temptation, and will always fail, and have NO strength, it is these blessed ones who will renew their strength, for they are no longer looking at themselvfes or their abilities, but tyheir eyes are fixed on their savior and His ability to do as He has clearly promised us.
Blessings,
Gideon
