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NASB | James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God--it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. |
Bible Question: How do you guys fight temptation? |
Bible Answer: Hi Johnpastors, Mat 4:3 And coming near to Him, the Tempter said, If You are the Son of God, speak that these stones may become loaves. Mat 4:4 But answering, He said, It has been written: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every Word going out of the mouth of God." Deut. 8:3 Stay in the Word. Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to sin while you are reading the Bible? Not that it's impossible, just ask my wife, she'll tell you that I still find ways. But it's definately harder. Reading, memorizing, meditating on the Bible will occupy your mind, making you less likely to choose to sin. But also, remember, remain conscious, of the lie temptation presents. "This will give you want you want." No it won't! It will only kill you. How much appeal does a chunk of Ghirradelli's Dark Chocolate have after someone dips it in cyanide? Remember the poison sin contains. Mat 4:5 Then the Devil takes Him to the holy city, and he set Him on the wing of the temple. Mat 4:6 And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it has been written: "He shall give His angels charge concerning You, and they shall bear You on their hands, lest You strike Your foot against a stone." LXX-Psa. 90:11, 12; MT-Psa. 91:11, 12 Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, Again it has been written: "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." Deut. 6:16 Don't put yourself in a place in which you know you are likely to sin. Let's say you want to watch a TV show that you know you shouldn't. Don't just sit there in front of the TV watching "Feeding Habits of the Green-spotted Moth", knowing that a click away lies ___________. Invite a bro over for prayer. Go to a Bible Study. Get away! And guys, if that means yanking that DSL cable out of the back of your computer, and hacking it to little pieces, its worth it! Don't just say, "but the rest of the internet is so good, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water!" This is your life we're talking about. Throw out the bathwater, the baby, the tub, the soap, and the towel. Protect yourself while God deals with your nature. Mat 4:8 Again the Devil takes Him to a very high mountain, and shows to Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Mat 4:9 And he said to Him. I will give all these things to You if falling down, You will worship me. Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it has been written: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only." Deut. 6:13 Realize that any sin you may commit is ultimately rebellion against God. Set yourself to serve the Lord. Determine in your heart that you will obey your Master, and that you will worship Him. To worship implies a conscious understanding of how we compare with God, and Who He is in relation to who we are. We need to be reading and meditating on the Bible, so that we can know more of God, and live our lives with the sense of His presence - His greatness, His majesty, His power, His holiness, His love - that we may spend each day bowed down before Him, knowing not just with our minds, but in our hearts, that it is right, and good, to obey Him, and to serve Him. The urge to sin lies within us like a wild animal, and we have our hand on the latch. If we pull the lever, sin will come bounding out, and it may be great fun, until it comes and tears us apart. But the truth is, that animal is dead, and has no power, over those of us who are in Christ. That's the longer answer. These other guys gave good answers too. Pack it all away in your toolbox. The short answer to "How do I fight temptation?" Sometimes, poorly. Sometimes I don't really want to fight. Sometimes, I put up a mock-battle, but if I am truly honest, I already know what I am going to do. We have to be honest with ourselves. We need to recognize when we actually want to sin, and are intending to sin, and we must be willing to be changed. Sometimes I pray something like "God, just look at me! We all know what is in my heart. Please take it away." And you know what? When I a truly willing for God to save me from myself, even when I am all messed up inside, He does. An hour later, or a day later, I'll realize that what was in my heart wanting to sin left, when I wasn't looking, because I got so distracted when the sink blew up, or a friend called, or I smashed my toe, or whatever it was God arranged. So don't believe the Lie of sin. Stay focus, filled, with God's Word. Stay busy with the things of the Kingdom. Stay away from comprising situations. Remove from your life those things that stumble you. Stay focused on Who God is, and what He has called you to. Stay on your knees, both physically, and in your heart, before Him. There is much more the Bible says on this topic as well. I hope to see more answers. . . God bless! Love in Christ, Mark |