July 26, 2009Eldon Boldt

I.PREDETERMINE YOUR PATTERN OF TEMPTATION.

1. When am I most tempted? 2. Where am I most tempted?3.Who is with me when I am most tempted?

4.What temporary benefits do I get when I give in?

II. PROTECT THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART

III. PRAY FOR GOD’S HELP

Matthew 26:41 (NLT) “41 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise

temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is

willing enough, the body is weak!”

Psalm 50:15 GN “Call to Me when trouble comes. I will save you.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) “15 This High Priest of ours

understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations

we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”

IV.POINT YOUR ATTENTION ELSEWHERE.

James 1:14-15 (TLB) “14 Temptation is the pull of man'sown evil thoughts and wishes. 15

These evil thoughts lead to evilactions and afterwards to the

death penalty from God.”

IV. POINT YOUR ATTENTION ELSEWHERE.

1. Attention

2. Arousal

3. Action

2 Corinthians 10:5b (NCV)“5 We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

Romans 12:21 GN“Don’t let evil conquer you, but

conquer evil with good.”

V. PARTICIPATE IN A SUPPORT GROUP.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 GN “Two are better than one because

together if one falls down the other can help him up. But if

someone is alone and falls there’s no one to help him up.”

V. PARTICIPATE IN A SUPPORT GROUP.

1. It’s incredibly liberating

2. Admitting the problem is the first step in overcoming it.

James 5:16 (TLB)“16 Admit your faults to one

another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous

man has great power and wonderful results.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)“13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond

what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also

provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) All you need to remember is that

God will never let you down. He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit. He’ll always

be there to help you come through it.”