Published by Christians Go Astray, But God Has the Remedy
You have seen your fair share of Christian hypocrites that talk the Christian game right down to “praise the Lord” and “I’m praying for you”. Somehow these Christians have gone astray. We are tempted in all ways humanly possible, just like everyone else. So how does the Christian overcome temptation?
I knew one person who constantly talked about holiness, but he was involved in pornography. I should have been suspicious when he refused to tithe and always had an excuse for not serving in his church. Carnal Christians like these are believers that are living double lives: even though they are believers and perhaps doing good works, part of their activity is dangerously outside the will of God. They have been pulled down by a world of temptation.
In the Bible book of Judges, Samson had a problem with carnality, even though God blessed him with enormous strength to resist Israel’s number one enemy, the Philistines. An angel predicted his birth, and he was dedicated to God by his devoted parents. He grew up with the mantel of leadership handed to him, and he was the strongest man of all time.
However, Samson’s weakness was a Philistine woman that brought him to ruin. Delilah was determined to discover the secret of his strength so that Samson would be defeated. She questioned him over and over, and he repeatedly made jokes about his powers. Surely he knew that she wanted to undo him, but lust had him under its power. Finally he told her the truth. Delilah broke Samson’s vow for him-she had his hair shorn while he slept-and the Lord’s Spirit left him. Sadly, Samson did not even realize that God’s Spirit had abandoned him as he tried to resist the Philistines that came to shackle him.
This is how Christians go down the dark path. They are lured into the trap of temptation before they even know it. There is a point of no return when God abandons you to your sin. Will your soul be saved? I believe so, and there are scriptures that appear to indicate security of the believer, such as John 10:28-29. But I Corinthians 3:15 says about these Christians that they will be saved “only as one escaping through the flames.” They may lose their lives prematurely and enjoy very few rewards in the eternity of heaven.
Renew your Mind in Christ
Do you catch yourself in the same sins again and again? Paul offered the solution in Romans 12:1-2: to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. In Philippians 4:8 he advised Christians to think about whatever is excellent or praiseworthy. So what do you think about? If your thoughts are on the sin that pulls you, you will be a repeat offender and guilty of trampling on the cross of Jesus.
David wrote: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
A pastor said that he was sorely vexed by a spirit of doubt and fear so much that he could not sleep. Finally at his wit’s end on one restless night, he quoted a favorite hymn in the darkness of his bedroom, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.” He went peacefully to sleep and awoke refreshed.
When you are tempted, do you say a prayer or hymn of resistance? Ask the Lord to infill you with his Spirit at those moments. Fill your mind with the words of scripture to protect your heart. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Keep the Right Kind of Company
Samson kept the wrong kind of company. He went to the prostitutes and women of the heathen Philistines and spent his time consorting with the enemy. If you are tempted in certain kinds of company, perhaps those relationships are unhealthy and even sinful for you. It’s time to sever them and replace them with wholesome relationships. Proverbs 4:14-15 says:
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”
Be Filled with the Lord’s Spirit
How about infilling yourself with the Lord’s Spirit, not just your own? In fact, we are told to put to death the old man of sin. Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” We are told to be filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18).
Proverbs 4:17 says that the wicked “eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” But the Christian eats the bread of Christ’s body and drinks the wine of his precious, saving blood. Jesus wants us to eat and drink of Him (John 6:53-56).
If you participate in Holy Communion or the Eucharist, you know the solemnity of this ordnance or sacrament of the church. By this worshipful act, you can get the Lord’s Spirit right inside of you. How? You pray for it in that ceremony, and then you act on it symbolically when you participate. Some churches claim the body and blood of Christ become real in the bread and wine at the proper moment. Either way, the Lord is watching your participation and wants to penetrate you to the core with his Spirit!
Get Help to Resist Temptation
One reason Christ instituted the church was to provide a support group. Are you trying to be a Christian all alone? Just as a coal quickly burns out by itself, a Christian without a church will find that his fire is burning out.
Today we hear about addictions that resist all remedies. The sinner is said to have an addiction or chemical dependency, even to the point that the addiction is called a disease that makes him engage in compulsive and addictive behavior. Such a person cannot return to normal without help. If the healthy Christian needs his church, how much more does the struggling addict need help from the church community and from qualified professionals?
