We've got a great guest post from a new Radius Blogger this week, Cassie. She will help us finish out our Tempted series.
We were meant to walk in victory and authority over the temptations of this world that threaten to bind us.
We were not meant to live defeated, but in those times when we are tempted and we fall, one reason is that we are unaware of the truth of our struggle.
Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
The temptation struggle is real, y’all. The spiritual battle can’t be seen, but it is dark and evil, and the enemy of our souls seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us on a daily basis.
What influences your life?
Without a doubt, any number of things can and do influence our lives in powerful ways; money, status, material goods, what we read, watch, and listen to….
These things can all wield tremendous influence in our lives and can certainly be the catalysts for countless instances of being tempted. However, I believe there is an equally important question to consider, one that can be an effective ally in the war against temptation and its threat to the victory we are each meant to walk in.
Who influences your life?
Who is speaking into your life? Who is encouraging you? Who is challenging you? Who is holding you accountable? Who is pointing you towards truth when this world is doing everything in its power to deceive you? Who do you have in your life that will remind you that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is in YOU? Who’s there to remind you of your worth when you’re at your lowest?
If our life here is a battlefield (and make no mistake, it is), no one goes into battle alone. Who are your fellow warriors? Each of us should have people that we go to when we are faced with making life changing choices, when tragedy strikes, when we struggle with sin - people that come alongside us, pray for us, and speak truth into our situation.
Likewise, we should be doing the same for those around us. When we daily put on the full armor of God and link arms with others that are doing the same, we form a strong defense. When we stand shoulder to shoulder with one another, everyone’s footing is more secure. When we link our shield of faith with our neighbor’s, we are more protected from the fiery arrows of the devil. And when we are vulnerable enough to be transparent with others of the temptations that cause us to struggle, we actually grow stronger. We grow wiser. And the scriptures tell us wisdom is better than weapons of war.
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Better to have wisdom than weapons of war…
Want to stand strong when you are tempted and step into victory? Seek God’s wisdom by studying His word. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Surround yourself with people who are doing the same. Wherever you’re at in your faith walk, align yourself with someone a little older, wiser, and further along this journey than you. Take inventory of who and what are influencing your life and make sure it lines up with the word of God. Be so familiar with truth that you can spot a lie of the enemy a mile away. We cannot isolate ourselves and rely on our own strength to help us overcome temptation. To attempt to do so leads us into prideful arrogance and pride always comes before destruction.
Proverbs 28:26
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Come join us this Sunday as we take time to hear from and speak to God. In the mean time, check out Blake's message from this past Sunday, here.