How to Deal with Temptation
How to Deal with Temptation
- Greg Waybright
- Proverbs 5-7
- How to: Live
- 45 mins 2 secs
- Views: 1775
Study Notes
How to: Deal with Temptation – Week 11 – Study Notes
How to Deal with Temptation
Proverbs 5-7
News reached me this past Thursday morning about a long time colleague having to resign his leadership role in a significant global Christian ministry because of “moral failure”. As always, this will prove to be extremely costly to his marriage, his family and to the cause of Christ – indeed, in countless ways we cannot now imagine. At the same time, all week long, we have being hearing about a celebrity who was the main spokesperson for a large fast food company pleading guilty to child pornography. This will hurt his marriage, his children and, of course, it will cost him his freedom. And we’ve been reading about 37 M people participating in the Ashley Madison website, a website that exists for one reason only – to facilitate extramarital affairs. Their slogan is this: “Life is short. Have an affair.” And, there is now some evidence that, of children in the USA between the ages of 8-16, over 90% have visited pornographic websites. Without any question, we are a society that has become obsessed with things sexual.
This all is in the news as we come to Proverbs 5-7, a larger section that speaks directly to the matter of dealing with temptation, especially to sexual temptation. I have been planning to speak more generally about how Proverbs teaches us to handle temptation. However, when I met with some of our other LAC pastors for sermon prep time, they were unanimous in saying, “You can’t do that, Greg. This matter of sexual temptation is so pervasive in our world that we need some ‘straight-speaking’ from the Bible about how to be faithful to God’s Word in this area of our lives.” I know they are right about that.
Overview of Proverbs 5-7
There is probably nowhere in the Bible that is more practical about dealing with sexual temptation than Proverbs 5-7. When you read those three chapters, you’ll discover Solomon sounds like a parent in our own day writing out of concern for his children’s decision-making. And, that’s exactly what these three chapters are all about – a father teaching his sons how to handle temptation. So, don’t be surprised or put off by the fact that all the teaching is from a male perspective. It’s all about a father speaking to his sons.
But, it is noteworthy that, as King Solomon teaches his sons generally about dealing with temptation, he focuses on this matter of sexual temptation. I think that this may be because King Solomon himself was born because his father, King David, had committed adultery with Solomon’s mother Bathsheba. That moral failure had led to dire consequences for David and for the entire nation (see 2 Sam 11-12).
I can well imagine that Solomon’s whole life had been affected by his father’s moral failure. Can’t you hear people say, “How can we follow a king born because his powerful father took another man’s wife?” I am quite sure Solomon was deeply aware of the enormous devastation that sexual immorality can bring to marriages, families, friendships and careers. He knew he had to teach clearly about this – and so do I.
I urge you to read carefully through Proverbs 5-7 to see what God’s Word teaches. I cannot cover it all in one sermon. However, Solomon offers several strongly stated tactics about how to handle sexual temptation. I think they are as relevant today as they were back then.
Tactic #1: Sexual Faithfulness Starts with Your Mind -- “Pay attention to wisdom (5:1)… Store up my commands within you (7:1).
When you read the entirety of Prov. 5-7, one of the things that will strike you is how many times Solomon tells his sons to listen to wisdom, to pay attention to what godly mentors teach, and to have biblical wisdom fill their minds and thereby direct their lives -- 5:1,7; 7:1-5, 24. See esp., 6:20-25a.
Let me ask you this: What is Solomon talking about with all his calls to listen to and be shaped by wise teaching? What are we to write deep within our hearts? The answer is God's Word. Solomon is saying what Moses said in Deut. 6:1-9 about parents passing on God’s teaching from one generation to the next. Solomon is saying that we must take time to listen to and learn the broader teaching of God’s Word, i.e., the moral teaching of Scripture that we need to be committed to as Christian families and as a church. We must teach God’s Word carefully to our children and to new believers who come to faith and wonder how they now should live. Psalm 119:11 tells us, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”. Even clearer is when the Psalmist posed the question, "How can a young man keep his way pure?" His conclusion: "By listening to, learning and living according to God’s word" (Psa. 119:9).
So, it is the consistent teaching of the Bible that victory over temptation begins with what you do with your mind. So, what should you do with your mind?
- First, be ruthless about what you put into your mind.
We're all familiar with the saying "Garbage in, garbage out." The opposite is true too: “Purity in, purity out.” David wrote of Scripture, "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times" (Ps 12:6). If you hope to be sexually pure in the midst of a sex-orientated culture, you must replace the worldly thinking with God's thoughts, found in God’s Word. God’s ideas of right and wrong, his promises, and his teachings must saturate your inner being. Regular, consistent exposure to God's Word is the main combatant to the alluring lies of our culture.
My questions to you: What do you fill your mind with? What kind of entertainment are you entertained by? How often are you having personal devotional times in which you read Scripture? For those who are parents, how much time are you spending teaching your children God’s truth as Solomon talks about in 6:20? Don’t be fooled into thinking that you won’t be shaped by what you put into your mind. You need godly teaching to fill your mind.
- Second, treasure God’s truth and take time to meditate on it.
Solomon called his sons not merely to know the Word, but to bind it on their hearts, to incline their ears to it, to treasure it, to write it on the tablet of their hearts. He was saying, “God is good. God’s ways are good. Believe me, my sons. God’s ways are better than what the rest of the world has to offer.” Do you believe that?
So, as an antidote to sexual temptation, Solomon is calling for more than an intellectual familiarity with the Bible’s content. He wants his sons to know God is good and that God’s Word is to be cherished. The reason they and we should do this is that a love for God and a deep trust that God’s ways are a thousand – a million – times better than what we see on television, in films, and on Ashley Madison websites! When you truly believe that, it will direct your whole life and make you long to stay away from immoral thinking and living. Solomon tells us in 6:20-24 and 7:1-5 that God’s Word has the power to lead us and to keep us from destructive and addicting sexual behavior.
- Third, set your mind on things that honor God.
Filling your mind with God’s Word is essential. You can’t live a life in keeping with God’s Word if you don’t know what’s in it! But – at the same time -- it’s possible to have a lot of knowledge and still not be changed by what you know. So, the Bible tells you to “set your mind not on the things you naturally crave but on the things of God’s Spirit (Rom. 8:5).” The Apostle Paul insists in that verse that what we set our minds on is what directs our lives. If your deepest longing is to live a life of sexual purity, set your mind on that. Long for it. Focus on healthy and God-honoring things rather than fantasizing about things you simply know are wrong.
My question to you: What do you choose to dream about? What do you use your mind to hope for and to plan for? Here’s what you must do: Intentionally, re-direct what you set your mind on from things that are immoral to the kinds of things that would please God. You’ll find that you choices will slowly begin to follow what you set your mind on.
You live in a world that wants you to believe the opposite of what God’s Word teaches about sexual conduct. Our culture bombards you with words, images, advertisements, movies, television, pictures that sex outside marriage vows is the way of life that is fun, freeing, and fulfilling. You will get sucked into that lie if you are filling your mind with its message and are not a person filling your mind with God’s truth. I ask you: How much to you want to be set free from giving in to sexual temptation? How much do you really want to live for God? There will be no change unless you believe passionately that the way of life God calls for is what you long for – what you set your mind on. Do you believe that what God’s Word teaches is truly good? It is only when you do that you will deny self and follow Jesus.
Regardless of the behavior that people see in you when you are in public, the true test of your moral character is your thought life. Craig Groeschel says, “You can’t build a foundation of sin now for a life of purity later.” The only way to begin to change your behavior is to change your mind.
Athlete Tim Tebow is one who is setting his mind on living a sexually faithful life. Listen to his words: “If I’ve already thought through a situation and have a response prepared ahead of time in the event temptation rears its ugly head, it is much easier to resist (from Tim Tebow, A Quarterback’s Journey).”
Tactic #2: Consider the Exorbitant Cost – “You will lose your honor and dignity… Evil deeds will ensnare you (5:9,22).
27 verses in these chapters (5:3-6, 9-14, 21-23; 6:26-35; 7:22-23, 26-27) are specifically devoted to telling you to use you mind to count the cost of giving in to sexual sin! Do you see how important it is? But, I believe it is one often neglected when we teach on this subject. You should consider it a vital discipline to ponder the consequences of the decisions you make, to consider the certain long-term misery that will result from momentary pleasure. Solomon describes the moment of sin as sweet, but the aftertaste as bitter. He says, “Sexual sin will rob your time, sap your energies, destroy your credibility and honor, wreck your family and marriage and ultimately bring you to the brink of ruin.” Undoubtedly, the “Enemy” wants you to give no thought to these things, but clearly the Holy Spirit intends for you to meditate on them.
This kind of sin always starts with one small step: You may start watching a show with values that trouble you. At first you may be bothered that it portrays sex outside marriage as normal and exciting – even as good. Then, you begin to have a relationship with someone who treats you nicely – who thinks you're funny and interesting. Step after step is taken. Soon you’re saying, “I never thought this would happen to me.”
In ch. 7, Solomon pictures something similar to that: A man goes where he knows he shouldn’t go. He finds temptation there to which he is very susceptible. Adrenaline and hormones race through the man's system. He no longer thinks straight because he is driven by his desires. In one cataclysmic moment the man falls prey to temptation because he’s been thinking about such things for a long time. Then, he crosses the line. His life is forever changed, and not for the good.
Solomon minces no words. He declares, “To cross the line into sexual impurity will cost you.” In 7:22-23, he uses words like “slaughter”. Have you ever been to a slaughterhouse? It can make even the strongest of people lose their lunch. “Trapped”. Have you ever heard the desperate yelp of an animal caught in a trap knowing that death is imminent? It will cause you agony. “Snare”. Have you seen a bird caught in a web or net unable to free itself? It is a pitiful and tragic sight.
A close colleague of mine was a man who had been a leader first in a law firm and then in our denomination until he failed morally. When I met with him as a part o our denominational board that dealt with discipline, I asked him, "What could you have been done to have helped you prevent this?" He paused for a moment, then said with haunting pain and precision, "If only I had really known, really thought through, what it would cost me and my family and my Lord, I honestly believe I never would have done it."
Be aware of the cost of sexual sin: Solomon issued a strong warning to his sons. I pass it on to you: When you cross the line into sexual immorality there are serious consequences. Take time to consider the exorbitant cost of sexual unfaithfulness and it will help guide you.
#3: Stay away places and situations of temptation -- at all costs! “Keep to a path far from her. Do not go near the door of her house (5:8)
This brings me back to the story Solomon told his sons in 7:6-21. It’s the story of a young man, lacking sense, who intentionally went to a place where he knew he would be tempted. Bottom line: The man had already made his decision before the woman came to tempt him. The red light districts in the Middle East were clearly known and marked off. The man knew where he was going. So, this man had already made his choice with his feet when he took the road to her house.
This is why Solomon writes, “keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house… Do not stray into her paths.” He is essentially prescribing radical amputation. “Cut yourself off from the source of temptation. Don’t even go near it.” The Apostle Paul puts it even more strongly in 1 Cor 6:18: “Flee from sexual immorality.” He didn’t say flirt but he yelled, “Flee!” “Don’t go there!
Some people think they can walk right up to the line and have the will power to not cross over. Own up to it: There are certain things you cannot handle and places you cannot go without failing. Take time to identify those places and don’t do there!! There are certain films, videos, and pictures in magazines that you must stay away from. There are TV shows and late-night channels you have no business watching. There are websites you have to avoid. As my Mom would say, "If you are on a diet, don't go to the doughnut shop."
So, don't flirt with sexual temptation. Run from it. Run fast. Run hard.
I do think this is more challenging in our day than it was in Solomon’s. All week, I’ve been receiving messages through social media about how temptation has walked from the streets that Solomon talked about and, through technology, come right through our doors, into our homes, and into our daily lives through our phones and Pads. It surely is harder than ever to flee from places of temptation. But this is the world that God has put us into. I am convinced that sexual faithfulness is possible through God's Spirit experienced in community even in our world. We must believe this good news.
So, let me provide some help:
- A Book – I recommend to you a simple book that calls us to a distinctive way of life as Christians: Craig Groeschel’s Weird. I love the subtitle: Because Normal Isn’t Working. There are three short chapters dealing with sexual temptation that I find to be good.
- A People – When it comes to matters like anger and sexual temptation that we’ve dealt with over the past two weeks, we all know that we cannot do what God calls us to on our own. We need others to walk with us. So, we urge you to consider being a part of the Celebrate Recovery (CR) group that meets on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM. There is information about that in our Worship Folder.
- Some Training -- We know we need to provide some training for parents to do what Proverbs tells parents to do, i.e., to teach their children God’s ways rather than culture’s. So, beginning 10’4/15, we’re going to begin that with a series entitled “How To Talk to Your Kids about Tough Things”.
- A Church-wide Emphasis – Beginning 9/12-13/15, we will be launching a church wide series of teaching called Synced – Walking in sync with the Spirit of God… (I will describe this.)
I’ll close with this. Last month, a close friend took my entire family to Ireland. While there, we participated in a time with birds of prey. The bird trainer had two owls, a kestrel, a peregrine falcon, a huge golden eagle named James, and a Harris hawk named Marta. They were all coexisting there as the trainer talked about them and brought them out one-by-one for people to hold. The birds all participated in peace. But, at the end, the trainer brought out Marta the hawk and asked, “Would you like to have her fly from the trees down to land on your arm?’ All said yes. But then he said, “We have to move out of sight of the other birds. You see, Marta is a sweet girl but she is a hawk. Marta is an opportunist. If she is allowed to be away from me and in the trees, and is able to see these other birds, she will take them all out. Her natural bent is to go after them. If I’m on watch, she’s OK. If she is out of sight of temptation, she’s OK. But, if not, she’ll give in to her natural ways. She’d kill them all!”
And, I’ll tell you that though you and I were made in the image of God, since sin entered our world, our natural bent is not to live for God but to give in to our fallen and imperfect cravings. God promises to change us from the inside out through the power of his Spirit. But, until that work is done, we will be as tempted to do wrong as much as Marta was. So, until God’s work is complete, learn from Proverbs: 1) fill your mind with God’s truth and set your desire on God’s ways, 2) take time to consider the exorbitant cost of sexual failure when you feel tempted and 3) stay away from the places and situations of temptation. My prayer is that you will find freedom and a new life – to God’s glory.
Chinese Translation
How to: Deal with Temptation - Week 11 – Study Notes – Chinese Translation
如何處理試探
箴言5-7章
上週四的早上我得到一個消息,一位多年前的同事不得不辭職的消息,他是一全球性的基督教機構的領袖,原因是“道德失敗”。不出例外,這對於他的婚姻家庭和基督的事業都帶來慘重的代價,所導致各方數不盡的傷害實在是我們現在無法想像的。同時,一整周我們聽到這個名人,龐大快餐業的主要發言人對他的青少年性侵犯指控認罪的消息。這當然會傷害他的家庭,孩子,他自己也付出失去自由的代價。還有最近的新聞,三千多萬人登錄的麥迪遜偷情網站,存在的目的就是為了提供婚外情的場所。他們的口號是“ 人生苦短,何不偷情。”有數據證明今天美國8到16歲的孩子,百分90的人都曾到過色情網站。無疑的,我們的社會已經被性所掌控。
在這些新聞中,我們來看今天的經文箴言5-7節,大部分都是直接說到如何對付誘惑,特別是性的誘惑。我本來打算籠統地談箴言教導我們如何對付誘惑。但是,我和湖邊教會其他牧者交流講道預備的時候,他們異口同聲地說,“ 你可不能這麼籠統地說。性的誘惑在我們的世界是如此普遍,我們應該從聖經的角度單刀直入來談如何在生活的這個領域忠實於神的話語。他們說的極是。
箴言5-7章縱覽
聖經中箴言5-7章可能是聖經中對付性誘惑最實際的經文,讀這三章,你會發現所羅門就像現今家長一樣的語氣,寫到他對孩子們在做決定的時候的擔心。這三章講的正是一個父親給自己的兒子們針對如何對付誘惑而寫的。所以,不奇怪所有這些教導都是從男性的角度來擺開事實,有關一個父親對兒子們說的話。
但是值得一提的是,所羅門王教導他的兒子們有關誘惑,注重在性的誘惑上。我想也許所羅門王自己的出生是因為他的父親大衛王與所羅門的母親別士巴犯了姦淫罪。這種道德上的失敗導致大衛和整個民族一系列可怕的後果。(看撒母耳記下11-12)
我可以想像所羅門的一生都受大衛王失敗的影響。耳後根老是有人議論,“他的父親強娶別人的妻,我們怎麼能跟從這樣的一位王?”肯定所羅門深深體會性不道德對婚姻,家庭,朋友和生涯帶來的莫大的破壞。他知道他對性需要清楚的教導-我也是一樣。
我督促大家用心來讀箴言 5-7章看神的話如何教導。我一篇講道無法涵蓋全部。然而所羅門針對如何對付性誘惑提供幾點特別強調的策略。對過去那個年代和今天都仍然適用。
策略 #1: 對性的忠心起於你的頭腦 -- “留心我智慧的話(5:1)… 將我的命令存記在心S (7:1).
整體來看箴言5-7章,很受震撼的是所羅門多次告知他的兒子們要聽智慧的話語,留意聽敬虔智者的教導,用聖經智慧充滿我們的頭腦來引導他們的生活。 -- 5:1,7; 7:1-5, 24. 特別看., 6:20-25a.
我來問你這點:所羅門叫兒子們聽話,並且要在聰明的教導下受塑造,他到底在講甚麼?在第七章,甚麼東西系在你指頭上?刻在你心版上?唯一的回答是神的話語。所羅門說摩西在申命記6:1-9中父母要將神的教導一代一代傳下去。所羅門說我們要花時間來聽,來學習神的話更廣意的教導,比如經文中道義的教導,我們需要委身於基督家庭和教會。我們必須格外注意教導我們的孩子和新信徒,他們信了主,思想如今要如何生活。更清楚的是,當詩人擺出問題的時候:“少年人用甚麼潔淨他的行為呢?”他的結論是:“是要遵行你的話。” (詩篇. 119:9).
因此,這是聖經一致的教導,戰勝誘惑起於你怎樣用你的頭腦。對你的頭腦要怎麼做?
• 第一, 要無情對待頭腦裡面裝的東西
我們都熟悉這句話“ 垃圾進,垃圾出。”相反的也是一樣:“潔淨進,潔淨出。”大衛寫到經文,“ 耶和華的話語,是純淨的話語,如同銀子在泥爐中練過七次” (詩篇12:6)。如果你希望在性上保持純潔,特別是在這樣一個性文化中,你必須要用神的思想代之以這個世界的思潮,唯獨是神的話語。神對錯的標準,祂的應許,教導必須浸染我們的全人。日常規律,始終如一面對神的話語才是抵抗社會中誘惑人謊言的根本。
我要問你:你的頭腦里裝甚麼?你每天娛樂的東西是甚麼?你經常性地讀經靈修嗎?做家長的,你花多少時間教導孩子們神的真理,像所羅門在6:20 節這裡說的?不要做愚頑人,以為裝在頭腦里的東西對你成為甚麼樣的人無關要緊。
• 第二,珍惜神的真理,花時間默想神的話
所羅門叫兒子們不單是知道神的話,要系在指頭上,刻在心版上,指的是側耳要聽,要珍惜,寫在心版上。祂說的是,“神是良善的。神的道路是美好的。相信我,我的兒呀。神的道路要比世界所能給我們的要美好的多。”你相信這點嗎?
因此,防止性誘惑的最好方法,所羅門叫他的兒子們不僅對聖經的內容有知性的瞭解,他要兒子們知道神是良善的,神的話語要珍惜。他們和我們之所有要聽的理由是對神的愛,就是信靠神的道路要比我們看到的電視,電影,或者麥迪遜網站要好千倍萬倍!你真正相信的時候,就會引導你的整個生活,讓你渴望從不道德的思想和生活中掉頭轉向。所羅門在6:20-25,以及7:1-5節中告訴我們神的話帶有能力帶領我們,保守我們遠離毀滅性的性行為癮。
• 第三, 思念榮耀神的事
至關重要的是思想上充滿神的話語。如果你不知道身在其中就不能過一個與神的話語並進的生活!但是-同時有可能你擁有很多的知識,但是還是不能夠照你所知的而改變。所以,聖經告訴你要 “不要思念你天然渴求的東西,乃是要思念神的聖靈(羅馬書8:5)。”使徒保羅在這節經文中堅持的是我們思念的事才能引導我們生活的事。如果你最深的渴望是過一個性純潔的生活,就思念這樣的事。渴慕它,定睛在健康,榮耀神的事上,而不是幻想你自己都知道不對的事上。
我問你一個問題:你夢想甚麼?你如何用頭腦來盼望和計劃?你要這麼做:有意識地,重新導向你思念的事,從不道德的事上到討神喜悅的事上。你會發現你的選擇會慢慢地開始追隨你思念的事。 你生活在一個要你相信在性行為上與神的話語相左的世界上。我們的文化用語言,影像,廣告,電影,圖片,婚姻誓約以外的性行為方式給你來玩弄,自由,和滿足來充斥你。你會深陷在這一謊言中,如果你讓你的頭腦裝著這些信息,而不是用神的真理充滿你的頭腦的一個人,我問你:你想不想從屈從性誘惑的狀態出來過一個自由的生活?你是不是真的要過一個為神而活的生活?除非你強烈地相信神的生活方式是你所渴慕的-你就思念這些事。除非你捨己,跟從耶穌。只有這一你才叫委身與你所知的,珍惜並遵行神的教導。
策略 #2: 想想代價 – “將你的尊榮給別人… 他也必被自己的罪惡如繩索纏繞 (5:9,22).
在這些章節的27處經文(5:3-6, 9-14, 21-23; 6:26-35; 7:22-23, 26-27)特別注重告訴你要用你的頭腦來計算屈從性誘惑的代價!你看到這有有多麼的重要嗎?但是我相信我們在教導這方面的時候常常忽略的一點。你要視為至關重要的一個操練是要思考你做決定的後果,考慮短暫的愉悅所要導致的長期痛苦的後果。所羅門王形容短暫的犯罪先是甜的,後來苦似茵蔯。他說,“性的罪惡將獵取你的生命,榨乾你的精力,毀滅你的信譽和尊榮,傾覆你的家庭和婚姻,最終置你於死地。”毫無疑問,“敵人”對這些連想都不要你去想,但是聖靈很清楚地定意要你默想這些。
這類的罪常常都是始於腳下一小步。你可能只是從看一部戲開始,婚外的性關係正常刺激甚至有好處,開始你覺得有點不對,然後你開始一段關係,人家待你不錯,覺得你有趣味,有魅力。步步為營。很快地你說,“ 我從來沒有想到這會發生在我的身上。”
在第7章,所羅門描繪相同的畫面:一個男人去了他知道不該去的地方。發現他處在易於陷入的誘惑中。腎上腺素和荷爾蒙在男人的體內飆升。他被慾望所使,已經不能正常思維。一個災難性的瞬間,男人屈從於誘惑的獵物,因為他早已想入非非了。接著他越過線。他的日子永遠改變了,不是好的改變。
所羅門很直接說話,他宣稱,“在性的不潔上越線你一定付代價。”在7:22-23節中,他用“宰殺”這樣的字眼。你去過宰殺場嗎?再強的人都會倒胃口。“陷阱”。你有沒有聽到過落入陷阱的動物知道死期將近無望的嚎叫?痛苦的代價。“圈套“。你有沒有看到過落網的鳥不能自由脫落?既可憐又悲哀的景象。
留意你要付出的代價: 你要付出你的婚姻-你的家庭-你的身體-你的良心。你可能會覺得能以原諒自己。在關係上,你毀了自己的見證和屬靈的信用,你讓救贖你的神悲傷。你塗抹祂的美名。所羅門給他的兒子們發出警告令。我也傳給你們。當你越過性誘惑這一線,後面有嚴重的後果。花時間來考慮性生活不忠心帶來的昂貴代價,這會幫助你。
策略#3: 遠離試探之地和試探的環境-不惜代價! “你所行的道要離他遠。不可靠近她的房門 (5:8)
回到所羅門在7:6-21 告訴他兒子們的故事。這是一個愚昧無知的少年人,決意前往他知道會受誘惑之地。底線是:這女人還沒有出現來誘惑他的時候,他已經做了決定。這人知道他往哪裡去。中東的紅燈區是眾人皆知的,划出界限的,因此在前往她家的路上,他已經選擇了自己的腳步。
這就是為甚麼所羅門寫到“你所行的道要離他遠。不可靠近她的房門。不要拐進他的道。”他根本就是在給一個根治性的截肢術。“切除誘惑的根源。不要進前去。“使徒保羅在哥林多前書這樣強調:“你們要遠避淫行。”他不是說調情,而是大喊,“逃離!” “不要前去!”
有些人以為他們可以靠近界限,有能力不越線。把握這點:有些事你是無法對付,有些場所你是不可能過去不摔跤的。花點時間找出這些的地方,不要前去!有一些的電影,錄像,雜誌的圖片你必須遠離。有些網站要避免。就好像我媽媽說的,“如果你禁食,不要去甜麵包店。”
聖經中講到性的誘惑,最合宜的策略很清楚,就是逃離存在誘惑的場所。 “遠避淫行” (林前6:18)不要前思後想。不要反抗。不要看離距離還可以走多近。不要煽情。跑!快跑。使勁跑。
我要告訴你,雖然我們按照神的形象被造,自從罪進入這個世界,我們的天然傾向不是為神而活,而是屈從墮落和不完美的渴望。神應許要透過聖靈的能力從里到外改變我們。但是直到祂的工作完成,我們都會受誘惑做錯的事。所以,直到神的工作完成,從箴言里學習:1)用神的真理充滿你的思想,渴望神的道路,2)花時間來思考當你面對誘惑的時候,在性行為上的失敗要付出昂貴的代價,3)遠離誘惑的場所和環境。我的禱告是你找到自由和新的生命-榮耀歸給神。
祂的荣耀,
格雷格Waybright博士
主任牧師
Greg Waybright • Copyright 2015, Lake Avenue Church