7/18/2020
Before we come to know Jesus we live our lives according to our own judgement, and to satisfy our own desires and ideas regarding morality. We become accustomed to doing what is easy and accepted by the world; these are our habits. However, these behaviors also include many sins, and the world leads us down some very dark roads... we find ourselves lacking, until eventually we hear God calling us, and directing us to His Son Jesus. When this happens, and our lives are transformed, we find amazing joy, peace, and comfort in Him, but even in all of that amazement we can still feel our old lives wooing us, and wanting us to return... old habits are hard to break.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,”
1 Peter 1:14 ESV
There are certain things we enjoyed in our old lives that brought us pleasure, but were sinful. We might have found sexual gratification outside of marriage, or in ways that the Lord says are an abomination. We could have been glutinous, and allowed food, or money to be our gods. Perhaps we were alcoholics, or drug addicts, and searched for happiness in drunken, or drug induced, stupors. Whatever those old habits were in our lives the memory of them goes away slowly, and the habits we once formed around them, are hard to break. Do you find this to be your experience, and to be true in your life? Do your old habits tempt you to relive the passions of a once worldly life? Do you hear Satan saying “What will it hurt, it’s only one time, and God said He would forgive you.” Satan lies, and tells half truths; God does forgive, but the wages of sin are death, and will lead us away from Him. They destroy our relationship with Christ, and we find ourselves lost once again, or at very least naked, and wrap in leaves of shame, as we confess our transgressions in tears.
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV
Yes, our old lives tempt us, and they persistently pick at us, trying to make us conform to their allure, but we are living righteous new Lives, and making godly habits of our faith that support our relationship with Jesus, and our desire to be holy. We find our greatest strength in God’s Holy Word. Temptation does not separate us from Jesus, but makes us like Him instead. Jesus was tempted and in His life we find an example that strengthens us as well. Listen...
“And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”
Mark 1:13 ESV
Find comfort in the fact that angels will minister to you as well. I can’t tell you how many times in the course of my walk of faith that I have been tempted, but in those moments I have experienced a sign that reminded me of my faith, or someone innocently said something to me that they had no idea applied to my current temptation... and gave me strength to resist it. These are not accidents, but the efforts of angels... messengers... Jesus... the Holy Spirit... God Himself. We are never alone, even when temptation tries to convince us that it has pulled a veil between us and God, and that what we are about to do is in secret, and that He won’t see us.
“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:13 ESV
So as your hand reaches out to caress someone who is not your spouse, or you are about to exert your dominance over someone so that you feel power to do what you want to them, remember that you don’t do this alone. You are the bride of Christ, and are sinfully lusting after another openly in His sight, or you are about to mistreat one of God’s children as He stands watching you.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:40 ESV
So how do we confront the temptation of old habits and lives? Our greatest defense is the Word of God, and in fact this is how Jesus rebuffed Satan during His three great temptations; each time Satan tempted Him, He fell back on scripture...
“And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”
And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’””
Luke 4:4, 8, 12 ESV
We too should recall scripture to repel temptation in our own lives, and the Holy Spirit will help us in this regard. Pay attention to the moments when suddenly scripture pops into your mind as you witness sin, or are considering it yourself.
“for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.””
Luke 12:12 ESV
And, we should always remember that we are not alone as we make habits of those things that are good and right. Then, while we go through life holding the Hand of Jesus, and hearing the voice of God, the godly habits we practice will become engrained in us, and overcome those of the old man who is being left increasingly behind us... until at last his voice can no longer be heard.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
Let’s begin to form one of our most necessary and amazing habits... praying without ceasing... pray with me now..
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading me away from the old sinful and worldly man I once was, and transforming me into a new and righteous person who seeks after you with all his heart. Thank you Lord for your Holy Word that is my armor, shield, and sword against temptation, and for your angels who tend to me as I move through this wilderness. I thank you with all my heart for your Son Jesus who has redeemed me and shown me how to walk as your child in the face of my temptation, and for your Holy Spirit who brings to my remembrance those scriptures I need to rebuff Satan when he speaks lies to me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who leads me beside the still waters of my faith, and makes me to lie down righteously in your presence. Praised be your name for every sign of encouragement, and voice of reminder, that has come to me as temptation has wooed me, and beckoned me to stray. Great are you, and powerful your Word that transforms me, and protects me against the sinful man I once was. Merciful are you when I slip, and wrapped in leaves of shame I come to you in contrition, and seek your forgiveness. Though I am undeserving your grace is poured out over me, and new habits are formed that make my life in you natural, and this world easier to navigate. Help me now, and throughout my life to walk in your ways, resisting all the lies of Satan, and becoming righteous, holy, and prepared for your judgement. Lift me up Father, and seat me in perfection at your table forevermore.
“but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
1 Peter 1:15-19 ESV
Rich Forbes