I was pondering the drunkeness thread and wonder what benefit is derived from temptation, if any. Many have taken the approach of shunning any alcohol so as to avoid any possible temptation. My feeling is, if your resolve is strong, should you not partake in moderation? I don't just mean alcohol. I don't cheat on my wife because I find it morally wrong and counter to my personal belief system, however, I do enjoy looking at a fine woman. What is faith, if not tested? If I am trying to avoid temptation am I not doing so because I lack resolve and faith and know in my heart I would succomb to said temptation?
I do enjoy looking at a fine woman. What is faith, if not tested? If I am trying to avoid temptation am I not doing so because I lack resolve and faith and know in my heart I would succomb to said temptation?
. I've never heard of someone tempting their own selves to test their faith.That's like knowing there is a shark in a tank, but you put your toe in the tank. I deal with inmates that are in prison, many are there because of an addictions. That is like me telling them, "When you get out hang out with your buddies smoking crack to see how strong your faith is". The Bible says to flee youthful lusts. Sorry Muley, maybe I just missed your post completely, but this one hit a core with me. There is enough temptation in the world, why add to it?
For me, I hate temptation. Mainly for the one reason that it presents me with the opportunity to fail. Of course it's great when I get tempted and am able to overcome it, but those times I fail I tend to beat myself up over it.
As far as the benefit of temptation, well, I can only say that in certain areas of my life where I have been tempted and continue to overcome it, it has made me a much stronger person in that area.
But keep in mind that we are not tempted by God. The Bible says that God is not tempted by evil, nor does He tempt any man, but man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and desires.
I can't only explain that verse this way: I have had a life long struggle with pornography. I first got a look at it when I was about 7 years old or so and it has stuck ever since. Some people don't feel porn is a problem but I do. I think it puts images in our heads that are there for years on end and can cause problems with our wives by giving them a low self esteeme and also cause problems in the bedroom because subconciously we end up wanting our wives to do the things we see these women do.
Anyway, so this porn thing has been inbeded in me for almost my whole life, so when I see something on TV or a magazine with a half naked woman on it, I'm tempted to lust after her. This doesn't come from God. It's wholly me. So whether this temptation is any good for me to temper my resolve or not, in one hand yes, in another no.
I don't believe that God tests my faith in this way. The Bible says He won't tempt me with sin. I believe that God tests our faith in others ways though. Putting people in our paths to see if we will speak to them about the Lord. Seeing if we will get out of our comfort zone and do something for God that we normally wouldn't do. Set aside our own wants or needs to help someone else.
I think it comes down to seperating the two issues. One, being tempted by a sin. Two, being tested in our faith. These really are two separate issues.
The Bible tells us to abstain from the very appearance of evil. In my opinion, this is because if I am involved with some type of sinful behavior, who is ever going to listen to my testimony or listen to the Word of God? I would just be labled a hypocrit and the same as all these other people who say one thing and do another.
So like I said, I think if we seperate Temptation from Testing, I think we would be much better off in how we deal with certain issues. We are to flee temptation, but embrace the testing of our faith.
Don't know if that answered your question or made sense at all. I've only had one cup of coffee so far today.
Verses for Times of Temptation Psalm 101:3-5 NIV I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Psalm 119:37NIV
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Romans 6:14 NKJV
14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:22-23 NKJV
22But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:2 NKJV For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:11,13 NKJV
11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
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. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV
22Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Titus 2:11-13 NKJV 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
Hebrews 2:17-18NIV
For this reason he [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. James 4:7 NIV Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 5:8-10 NIV Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
2 Peter 2:9 NIV then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment 1 John 2:15-17NKJV
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever"
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Muley, I am a little concerned with your logic.
On the drinking issue I believe it is a personal decision as to partake in moderation or not (Anything beyond moderate drinking is wrong). I know there are folks that put a zero limit on themselves. I have no problem with that, in fact I can see several admirable qualities to that decision. The only problem with it, that I have ever seen, is when some of those folks condemn others for doing perfectly lawful things.
The part of your post that concerned me was the statement about enjoying "Admiring" other women.
I guess it is just me but I see looking at a woman that way once you are married as wrong.
I do my very best to never look at a woman other than my wife that way. I feel it would be hurtful and insulting to my wife for me to do that.
I always do my very best to show and tell my wife that she turns me on more than any other woman ever could. I try my best to let her know that she is exactly the person that I am in love with.
Being in lust with someone else just isn"t part of my being. I would find it hurtful to know that she was lusting after other men therefore I do not lust after other women.
There has been the rare occasion that we will be out some where and my wife may make the remark that a certain woman is very pretty. I will glance over at the woman and say "yes she is" then look away. I will not say anything beyond that.
If I am driving through town and see a woman dressed sexy some where, I will find some where else for my eyes to look. It doesn't matter if she is with me at that moment or if I am by myself.
I see it as my job to make my wife feel as special about her self as I can.
My wife will make a remark about going on a diet from time to time. I tell her that would be wonderful, but my love for her will not grow by one ounce if she loses a pound. Nor will it shrink by an ounce if she puts on a pound.
She is a bit over weight, what we used to call chubby. As long as her weight doesn"t become a health issue, then it is a non-issue.
She is who I want and I will do my very best everyday to show her that. "Admiring" any other "Fine" looking woman is not part of my game plan. If I start "Just admiring them" when my wife isn"t there to see me doing it, how long will it be before I slip and start "Admiring" them in front of her?
Thanks
mr-pirk
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A proud owner of a Flying Vee. Bestowed by the fine Gentleman VC1111 himself.
The part of your post that concerned me was the statement about enjoying "Admiring" other women.
I guess it is just me but I see looking at a woman that way once you are married as wrong.
I do my very best to never look at a woman other than my wife that way. I feel it would be hurtful and insulting to my wife for me to do that.
I always do my very best to show and tell my wife that she turns me on more than any other woman ever could. I try my best to let her know that she is exactly the person that I am in love with.
Being in lust with someone else just isn"t part of my being. I would find it hurtful to know that she was lusting after other men therefore I do not lust after other women.
There has been the rare occasion that we will be out some where and my wife may make the remark that a certain woman is very pretty. I will glance over at the woman and say "yes she is" then look away. I will not say anything beyond that.
If I am driving through town and see a woman dressed sexy some where, I will find some where else for my eyes to look. It doesn't matter if she is with me at that moment or if I am by myself.
I see it as my job to make my wife feel as special about her self as I can.
My wife will make a remark about going on a diet from time to time. I tell her that would be wonderful, but my love for her will not grow by one ounce if she loses a pound. Nor will it shrink by an ounce if she puts on a pound.
She is a bit over weight, what we used to call chubby. As long as her weight doesn"t become a health issue, then it is a non-issue.
She is who I want and I will do my very best everyday to show her that. "Admiring" any other "Fine" looking woman is not part of my game plan. If I start "Just admiring them" when my wife isn"t there to see me doing it, how long will it be before I slip and start "Admiring" them in front of her?
Thanks
mr-pirk
Mr Pirk, I could have written that myself as I feel the same way. Often I have to deal with salespeople who use the ploy of having a woman salesperson dress in a revealing manner to interest their client. As I have carte-blanche(sp) in this area, I will immediatley refuse to do business with these folk.
I have been thru too much, and have seen too much misery over fleshly pursuits to be taken in by it any longer. The best way to avoid temptation is to remove either the temptress or the tempted. I have truley been blessed with Liz and there is no way that I will give place to anyone else.
I could say much more but it's gotten me in trouble before and besides it would lead into another topic that is inopportune at this time.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mr. Prik and Mac. Excellent posts my brothers. We made vows to our wives when we married them. Honoring those vows cannot be taken lightly. If more men acted like the examples you two are, the divorce rate in this country would plummet. I applaud you for doing what every man should do.
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Bro Pirk; I agree wholeheartedly with you and Bro Mac. Good posts.
Muley; What determines a "fine" woman? is it her Godly appearance? Is it her "pure and wholesome" countinance that shows her life of pray and concretation unto the Lord her God? Just wondering what is concidered "fine" qualities?
Does temptation temper resolve?
