Temptation/Attack - Abundant Life

[GreenMunchkin]

Why are we so easy to tempt and spiritually attack? Be it with depression, hopelessness, anger, sexual sin, pride, any number of ways in which we can stumble or fall... why is it so hard to come up against those things?

About a year ago, my mum told me about Smith Wigglesworth. Quite apart from having the coolest name EVER, he was literally beyond being spiritually attacked, or tempted. Apparently one night he woke up and saw satan standing at the foot of his bed. Like, really, though. Not in a vision or dream or anything. Anyway, it seems he just went "Oh, it's you," and went back to sleep!! Can you imagine? Being that unafraid?

How do we get there? Am just wondering how we become so spiritually strong we can beat it? I'm not saying it's on our strength - it's totally the Lord's. But how do we get to the point where we're above being dragged down by these things? How do we get to the point where we are living an abundant life?

Am sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I'd really appreciate any thoughts Thank you so much.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Moo?

 

[desmalia]

Why are we so easy to tempt and spiritually attack? Be it with depression, hopelessness, anger, sexual sin, pride, any number of ways in which we can stumble or fall... why is it so hard to come up against those things?

About a year ago, my mum told me about Smith Wigglesworth. Quite apart from having the coolest name EVER, he was literally beyond being spiritually attacked, or tempted. Apparently one night he woke up and saw satan standing at the foot of his bed. Like, really, though. Not in a vision or dream or anything. Anyway, it seems he just went "Oh, it's you," and went back to sleep!! Can you imagine? Being that unafraid?

How do we get there? Am just wondering how we become so spiritually strong we can beat it? I'm not saying it's on our strength - it's totally the Lord's. But how do we get to the point where we're above being dragged down by these things? How do we get to the point where we are living an abundant life?

Am sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I'd really appreciate any thoughts Thank you so much.

As always you ask great questions, GM!

In a way I think you've kinda answered your own question. We've got to flee temptation. We need to cling to His word and obedience to His commands in our lives, and flee temptation in our lives in whatever form it takes. Satan generally prefers to sneak in the backdoor. He doesn't throw the most obvious temptations at us usually. It's small things that creep in and change us over time. So we've got to be on guard against those kinds of things in our lives.

This verse has been coming to mind a lot lately:

Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Thank you so much for answering, Desi Was beginning to feel a bit paranoid

Can I ask you a follow-on question, please? I know that satan knows our weak areas, and he's insidious enough to attack us where we're weakest, but if he attacks us using struggles we've had all our lives - as in, prior to meeting the Lord - what then?

That is to say, I think lots of us expect Christianity to fix all our issues and temptations and weaknesses, but it doesn't. Or, at least, it's not a quick fix. So how do we flee? If it's not even about sin, necessarily... take depression, for example. How do we flee from that?

 

[Zecryphon]

Why are we so easy to tempt and spiritually attack? Be it with depression, hopelessness, anger, sexual sin, pride, any number of ways in which we can stumble or fall... why is it so hard to come up against those things?

About a year ago, my mum told me about Smith Wigglesworth. Quite apart from having the coolest name EVER, he was literally beyond being spiritually attacked, or tempted. Apparently one night he woke up and saw satan standing at the foot of his bed. Like, really, though. Not in a vision or dream or anything. Anyway, it seems he just went "Oh, it's you," and went back to sleep!! Can you imagine? Being that unafraid?

How do we get there? Am just wondering how we become so spiritually strong we can beat it? I'm not saying it's on our strength - it's totally the Lord's. But how do we get to the point where we're above being dragged down by these things? How do we get to the point where we are living an abundant life?

Am sorry if this is a really stupid question, but I'd really appreciate any thoughts Thank you so much.

It's not a stupid question. The answer is the Christian is dual-natured. We are simultaneously saint and sinner. Our flesh is sinful and as long as we live in bodies that are made of sinful flesh we will always be prone to sinful actions. Paul really addressed your question in Romans 7 where he too struggled with the two natures. Every day as a Christian is a struggle. The two natures are constantly at war, having a free will to choose between the natures complicates this problem greatly. Add to that, the fact that Satan knows all our weak spots and which buttons to push.

 

[desmalia]

Thank you so much for answering, Desi Was beginning to feel a bit paranoid

Can I ask you a follow-on question, please? I know that satan knows our weak areas, and he's insidious enough to attack us where we're weakest, but if he attacks us using struggles we've had all our lives - as in, prior to meeting the Lord - what then?

That is to say, I think lots of us expect Christianity to fix all our issues and temptations and weaknesses, but it doesn't. Or, at least, it's not a quick fix. So how do we flee? If it's not even about sin, necessarily... take depression, for example. How do we flee from that?

Yes that is a common assumption about becoming a believer, and it's a very dangerous one, at that. It's when we become believers that satan really begins his assault on us. His goal is to keep us from glorifying God in any way possible.

Temptations and weak spots tend to be primarily in our thoughts. So that's where he'll start. The best line of defense we have against that is to discipline our minds and continue focusing on the Scriptures. As for more external things, sometimes we have to take more drastic steps, like avoiding situations. That can mean not watching seemingly harmless movies or TV shows, not listening to music that most Christians wouldn't even consider bad, and many other things that would seem strange to the world, but that you know are a weakness for you personally. And as we grow in the faith, we find that those things that used to tempt us no longer do.

Of course this does not mean hiding away from the world or living in some kind of cave for the rest of your life either. There are times when we must stand and face the weakness. While we are not yet perfect, we can have absolute confidence that God will never allow us to face a temptation that we cannot handle. If He provides a way out, take it! There is absolutely no shame in that. If He doesn't, then we can have faith that He will get us through. Our responsibility is to remain faithful and obedient, and trust Him to take care of it. And we can know, without any doubt, that if He has allowed these things it is to sanctify us for His glory. It is a great opportunity to know and serve Him more and more. That is where our focus has to be - on Him and Him alone.

1 Corinthians 10 (NASB)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.


As for depression, which is something I struggle with myself, the Psalms are extremely helpful. There we can find comfort in a broad range of human emotion that we can all relate to. Yet we can all see and seek God even at our lowest points and still strive to glorify Him. We can wallow in the cave and praise Him and we can dance openly in praise to Him. We can know His nature better by staying in His word. And as we grow in that, even the darkest times cannot rob us of the joy of knowing Him.

It's not a stupid question. The answer is the Christian is dual-natured. We are simultaneously saint and sinner. Our flesh is sinful and as long as we live in bodies that are made of sinful flesh we will always be prone to sinful actions. Paul really addressed your question in Romans 7 where he too struggled with the two natures. Every day as a Christian is a struggle. The two natures are constantly at war, having a free will to choose between the natures complicates this problem greatly. Add to that, the fact that Satan knows all our weak spots and which buttons to push.

 

[Nadiine]

I think we can't leave out a few things - God's power & Spirit.

If we were left to our own power & operated in sheer willpower or strength, we'd fail every time and see no victory.

God holds us, sustains us and gives us the will to overcome our issues. Sometimes we might fall but that doesn't wipe us out spiritually. For the people who can't overcome it's possible that they may not actually be born again or they just remain weak, immature believers that don't get much victory in their walk.

God knows their conditions & He's the author & finisher of our faith. He'll act on things and bring them along. In some things we might always suffer them.
Some of us live in fears, anxiety, disorders of some sort,... nobody has the Christian walk down perfectly & everyone has their own hangups & weaknesses; it's who we are.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Thank you, everyone. I have lots to say and nothing to say, cos it's all making me very thinky - which is good, probably. But thank you very, very much Definitely need to do some thinking and praying about it all. Thank you so much

 

[GQ Chris]

The abundant life is not what the Prosperity Preachers always preach about.

My view is somewhere in the middle, where material gain isn't necessarily evil, but nor is it the primary goal, for who can enjoy possessions apart from God?(Ecclesiastes)

 

[GreenMunchkin]

The abundant life is not what the Prosperity Preachers always preach about.

My view is somewhere in the middle, where material gain isn't necessarily evil, but nor is it the primary goal, for who can enjoy possessions apart from God?(Ecclesiastes)

Abundance doesn't refer to finances, at all... at least, that's not how I intended it. Perhaps I should have made that clearer.

Am talking about abundance spiritually; leading a full, productive life in terms of serving Him. Not allowing our own issues to prevent us from working for the Kingdom.

 

[Nadiine]

Abundance doesn't refer to finances, at all... at least, that's not how I intended it. Perhaps I should have made that clearer.

Am talking about abundance spiritually; leading a full, productive life in terms of serving Him. Not allowing our own issues to prevent us from working for the Kingdom.

Can I ask you this GM? Do you think that financial wealth can HELP make our spiritual life more abundant?
By releasing us from continual worries about security - fears, etc.
And, by allowing us to donate so much more to God's kingdom thru Christian ministries, missions & charities, etc.

It's a pleasure and form of worship to give back to God (I conside tithing at church part of our worship); that could be very enriching for a Christian to have the wealth to be able to do that.

 

[Nadiine]

ps. I do not want to derail your thread either, I just had that one question and I'll drop it from there.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

ps. I do not want to derail your thread either, I just had that one question and I'll drop it from there.

Hullo! Golly, no, it's a great question. Wholly relevant, too

Can I ask you this GM? Do you think that financial wealth can HELP make our spiritual life more abundant?
By releasing us from continual worries about security - fears, etc.
And, by allowing us to donate so much more to God's kingdom thru Christian ministries, missions & charities, etc.

It's a pleasure and form of worship to give back to God (I conside tithing at church part of our worship); that could be very enriching for a Christian to have the wealth to be able to do that.

Oh, I don't agree that Christians are called to live in poverty. That's a school of thought I really strongly disagree with. But, equally, I don't buy into Health and Wealth teaching that preaches it to the detriment of all else Biblical.

I sort of believe the Bible when it says that if God looks after the sparrow, and provides for nature, how much more will He provide for us? I think finances are somewhere satan *really* attacks Christians. Fear over not having enough money is such a curse... but God really does provide.

Am I rambling? Am sorry if am rambling. I suppose, essentially, I think money is a real blessing in that we can give it to others who need it - we can bless them, just as God has blessed us. But. If I had to choose bewteen being financially rich, or spiritually rich, I'd choose the latter every time. And, actually, am not rich in either way, but I know that I don't worry about money, whereas I do worry that am letting Him down.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

How's this for timing? In my favourite thread here, Doc just posted something that seems so relevant to this:

Life Focus
Radiant lives demand a sure focus. All light can be traced back to a single source. Even in a dimly lit room, one can discover the source of the illumination after careful investigation.
Believers that radiate always have a focus on the Lord. This focus includes regular praise and worship, both private and corporate.
They regularly seek the face of the Lord, not for personal gain, but for the power to complete divine tasks, and for the glory of God.
The seeking and the focus also provide a listening divine ear, and deliverance from fear.
Those of us who are afraid of the dark (sin), need only focus on the light that God will place within us to dispel that fear. As you look to, and on, Jehovah, He will cause you to live a radiant life

So maybe it's as easy as focusing on Him more. But do you ever feel a resistance, almost? Like, you want to read the Bible, but you're tempted to watch the latest episode of a tv show instead... *how* do we make Him the main focus?

 

[Zecryphon]

How's this for timing? In my favourite thread here, Doc just posted something that seems so relevant to this:

So maybe it's as easy as focusing on Him more. But do you ever feel a resistance, almost? Like, you want to read the Bible, but you're tempted to watch the latest episode of a tv show instead... *how* do we make Him the main focus?

Simple. You say "no" to your desires and deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow after Him. Then while you're doing that you TiVo the latest episode of whatever tv show you wanted to watch. We have the technology and the know-how, to be good Christians.

 

[Nadiine]

Simple. You say "no" to your desires and deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow after Him. Then while you're doing that you TiVo the latest episode of whatever tv show you wanted to watch. We have the technology and the know-how, to be good Christians.

What an astute solution to putting God first
:o

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Simple. You say "no" to your desires and deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow after Him. Then while you're doing that you TiVo the latest episode of whatever tv show you wanted to watch. We have the technology and the know-how, to be good Christians.

What an astute solution to putting God first
:o

Are you mocking me? If so, why, please?

 

[desmalia]

Are you mocking me? If so, why, please?

I think she's just responding to Zec. That comment "we have the technology and know-how to be good Christians" was priceless!

He is correct though, Tivo or not, we need to deny our own stubborn wills in these kinds of issues and do what the Spirit is leading us to. If that means missing a TV show, so be it, right?

 

[Nadiine]

Are you mocking me? If so, why, please?

Do you mean me?

Des is right, I was replying to Zec's smart alecky post - he was fooling around sort of, but I think he might of been 1/2 serious in that we can still put God first and work out other ways to do what we want or be other places later.

And in reply to your post, as I see it, I'm not sure why we can't watch tv and spend time w/ God after... I would think we could watch tv and then do devotions or pray afterwards or later at night before bed or something.

As long as we put some time aside within a day and whatever amount of time it's for, make it quality, effective time.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

k. Thank you for explaining.

Tv was just an example, though. It's almost like there's a resistance somehow... know what I mean? Sometimes it's a struggle to pick up the Bible, or to spend time in God's presence, and I'm not sure why. Well, no, I know it's satan whispering away. But is it a question of being disciplined about it?

I wonder sometimes if it belies a lack of faith. Know what I mean? I hate the idea of that. Holding onto the fact that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed