This article was inspired by a message from Pastor Sue Lingerfelt at Overcoming Faith Christian Center. One of the most challenging issues that a Christian faces is dealing with temptation. Make no mistake about it, there is a tempter loose in the earth who wants to destroy you. When you fall into temptation, you open the door for destruction. With so much as stake, it’s important that we know how to deal with it when the temptation comes.

No one is immune to temptation. However, if we continually resist, then we will be strengthened in our faith. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). The first part of this verse is critical and often overlooked. We must be submitted to God to have the authority to withstand temptation. When we walk in the Spirit, we do not give into the desires of the flesh. Before I learned how to walk in the Spirit, I was constantly being pulled off course. Even though I had willpower, it simply was not enough when the thoughts and emotions of the seduction came to me. Some people have more willpower than others; however, willpower will fail at some point for everyone. It is simply not possible to live without sin in our own strength.

So, here are some practical steps that can take to overcome temptation:

1. Don’t yield to temptation in the first place. Have you ever noticed that it’s almost impossible to put down a bag of potato chips once you’ve started eating them? This is how it is with temptation. If you give into it, even a little, then your flesh will want more. So, the first key is to learn to recognize evil, then, guard your heart against it. I heard someone say once, “don’t get it twisted”. Even though this is slang, I think it’s an appropriate way to describe avoiding sin. When you do the right thing, God will reward you.
2. Avoid bad fellowship. Have you noticed that the Bible says that “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33) and not the other way around. It’s clear who you should avoid: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
3. Stand firm in your Faith. I have a picture of a lighthouse in the middle of crashing waves in my study. Whenever I feel pressure or stress, I look at that picture. The lighthouse doesn’t move. When you are doing right, you shouldn’t either.
4. Be strong in the LORD. Don’t water down your walk with God for other people. In everything we do, we’re doing it for God. So, why would we be concerned about what other people say and think about us? “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
5. Refuse to compromise God’s Word. “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) I’ve heard it said that our heart will grow whatever word-seed we plant (or allow to be planted) in it. Like weeds in your yard, it’s possible to have something come up that you didn’t knowingly plant. That’s why it’s critical that we constantly plant God’s Word in our heart, and not the words and images of the enemy.
6. Have a pure heart. We know that a house divided against itself cannot stand, yet, we often entertain “little” sins. It’s very rare (maybe never) that you find a drug addict that has never smoked marijuana. This is why they call it a gateway drug. In the same way, it’s impossible for someone to commit adultery without first “playing” with the thoughts of it. While people cannot see your thoughts, eventually, your thoughts will be seen through your actions. Even if you think you’re getting away with it, you’re not. “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” (Luke 12:2) If you have something in your thinking that is not in alignment with God’s Word, confess it right now and repent to God. This is the process of removing weeds from our heart. You may have to do it repeatedly (like every 5 or 10 minutes), but it will eventually go away.

The reason that we are tempted is because our flesh is not pure. While our Spirit is pure, our flesh must be tamed. We all have evil desires within our flesh; however, it is not God who is tempting us to act on those desires. “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15)

God is a good God and will always give us a way out. “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.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I wish I could be thinner. I wish I had more money and a bigger house. I wish my golf swing was better. You don’t have to wish for things like this any longer, because you can have them all!

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. –Psalm 37:4-5

Don’t wish it were so, make it so! God is not a genie—He is not granting wishes. He’s already blessed you. And, the Bible has multitudinous versions of the same formula for obtaining your desires. Outside of your height, age, race or sex, you don’t have to wish things were different. You can speak and act on God’s Word and bring those things into reality.

There are some things about us that were predestined and predetermined by God (Romans 8:28-31). However, there are other aspects of our lives that the Father left up to us. Do you wish you had a happy home? If so, so does God—but He’s not going to make your home happy. You have to do that; and as you do so, He’ll bless you in it. Study the lives of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). God didn’t force His will on any of them. He simply gave them an invitation to participate in His plan. They accepted, but made some mistakes along the way.

Proverbs 19:3 gets my attention every time I read it—let’s look at it together. I’ll show you more than one translation of the same verse for emphasis.

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. NIV

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. NLT

The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. AMP

People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed? The Message

I saved the best for last—laugh out loud! Why do Christians and people in general, always wish for obtainable things? Jesus paid the price for everything we could ever want or need. The Word says that He’s given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that all things are ours (2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 3:22). In another passage (Psalm 115:16) the Bible tells us that the earth has been given to the children of men. And the icing on the cake is the Holy Spirit—He guides us into all truth and tells us the things that are to come! So stop living your life haphazardly and then blaming God as the verse above says. Don’t let wrong actions or inaction mess you up and then wish you had a better life.

Now please, don’t misunderstand me. If you are in a situation where you neglected to include something that could’ve enhanced it—that’s not the type of wishing I’m referring to. Wishing you had brought a camera or you hadn’t worn those shoes with that outfit (what in the world were you thinking boo?!) are examples. Nor am I referring to unethical or ungodly wishes, such as wishing you had someone else’s spouse—won’t work. No, I mean life-maximizing issues. Instead of saying, “I wish I had more energy.” Say, “I have the life of God in me and I can do all things through Christ!” Then act like it is so and eventually, you won’t be acting anymore—it will be your reality. Don’t wish things were different, make them different! Eliminate the wish factor. Jesus told us that we can have what we say. Just start saying how you want things to be and then act on what you are saying. I guarantee you, every wish will come true.

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta

Do you realize that money in and of itself is morally neutral? Consider this for a moment, a person spends $2,000 a week to support his cocaine habit. Is this money good or evil? I submit to you that the purpose that this money is used is evil. Now, let’s say the same person gets saved and spends that $2,000 to support missionary work in Africa. I would say that this money is being used for good. When we really look at money, it is a tool. It is often referred to as an instrument. A scalpel in the hand of a heart surgeon is a good use of that tool or instrument. However, that same scalpel in the hand of a murderer is an evil use of that tool.

Thus, whether money is good or evil is dependent upon who holds it or controls it, and their motive for doing so. There is definitely a dark side to money, which is called greed.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:10

Greed (or the LOVE of money) is what happens when money controls the person rather than the person controlling the money. Money is my servant not my master. Making money your master is a form of idolatry. By using money to do God’s work instead of letting money use you, you are giving the proper direction to the power of money.

If, as Christians, we relinquish control of money to evildoers, then, we are assured that the world will continue to get darker. On the other hand, if we shake off the strong cultural norm that Christians should not be wealthy, we can change the overall nature of our society and reach more people for Christ.

Obviously, we must ALWAYS examine our motives. James 4 states,

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

It’s OK to have gold, as long as gold doesn’t have you. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly (John 10:10) and, believe it or not, that includes finances. Our prosperity is our witness that we are different from the world and a sign that God does bless His covenant children in ALL ways.

Today, I’m going to share some of my notes compiled during a sermon delivered by Dr. Gene Lingerfelt. Any mistakes are in my interpretation and note capturing.

Faith is not belief and belief is not Faith. Faith requires Action. Faith is Acting on the Word of God. What we believe does matter. Quite simply, you can’t approach God with prejudice.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:22-24

We must renew our mind to the Word of God not what the world says. The world has an agenda of its own for you. Focus and renewing the mind go hand in hand. Where you focus determines your thinking and your thinking determines where you focus. You must make a decision, a commitment, to focus on God.

What we think and where we focus determines what we say. What we say, if we have integrity, is what we are expecting. If you listen to the media, or anyone who does not know how to love you, you will lower your expectations. Eventually, you begin to believe what you hear, so you need to hear from people that believe in you. People who believe in you will lift you up not tear you down. You will achieve more if you surround yourself with support, success, etc.

It’s a mindset – Since I am transforming my desires to God’s desires, I believe that whatever I desire, He is bringing into my hands. Daniel 10 gives us a glimpse of what is happening in the spiritworld. Daniel was a man that was highly esteemed by God, and his results were amazing. He was blessed in a time when Israel was in bondage; he was highly favored and exalted.

Here are few points about expectations:

• The world has a way of thinking, and the end is death
• What you’re expecting is synonymous with what you’re believing for
• You can’t hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously
• Who are you trying to please?
• Who or what is influencing your thinking?
• Are you going to think Biblically or worldly?

Satan tries to move your mind to accept things that you ought not accept and lower your expectations. We must turn our expecting to what we desire. We need to make up our minds. Are we going to put on an act, or are we going to take actions that us up with what God says about us.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Faith is not optional. Hebrewers 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Worldly thinking keeps you from the reality of the Word. My mindset is that “this is the Truth” when I read the Bible. Try this for a week–eliminate all entertainment but the Word. The results will astound you. Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

The more we learn how to perfect walking in the Blessing of the Lord (Genesis 12:2-3; Deuteronomy 28:1-14), the more natural it becomes. Initially it may seem a daunting and even impossible task. But God is so loving and gracious, that He gives us the ability to do everything, be our best and obtain His best. I want to spotlight some areas that sometimes block or hinder the Blessing in our lives. Their traits are similar; however, each is its own destructive entity—I call them Blessing blockers.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

We all love the words of Jesus in Mark 11:23-24. We can command mountains to move, believe in our hearts and speak our desires into existence (author’s paraphrase). But, check out verses 25-26. Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” This is a classic example of how refusing to forgive can hinder us from walking in the Blessing. In essence, not forgiving nullifies the previous verses. How can we expect to receive anything from God knowing we are in direct violation of His command to forgive? Another classic verse is Luke 6:38—give and it shall be given …. Jesus qualifies that in verse 37 saying, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” These must be adhered to in order to get the pressed down-shaken-together-running over blessing. Think about this. How many true givers do you know who judge, condemn and hold grudges?

Carrying old hurts and offenses also gives the enemy an opportunity to rob us of the divine health promised in the Blessing. Many studies have linked forgiveness to better overall health. Two cases in point: a 2001 survey of 1,423 adults by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research found that people who had forgiven someone in their past also reported being in better health than those who had not.* Additionally, the Duke University Medical Center reported in 2003 that among people who have chronic back pain, those who have forgiven others experience lower levels of pain and less associated psychological problems like anger and depression than those who have not forgiven. These findings were presented at the Conference on Forgiveness in Atlanta the same year.*

The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, but was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). I am positive that He had more chances to hold grudges than are recorded. He was maliciously railed upon, mentally and physically abused. He forgave them all—He even healed the soldier who came at Him with a sword and forgave the violence against Him as He suffered on the cross. In recounting my own unsavory life experiences, I find that as I verbalize them, I remain free from their attempts to bind me. I don’t share them in an attempt to gain sympathy or to get someone on my side. They are my testimonies of God’s healing power. He healed my mind and physical body as I chose to forgive. Dear friends, don’t waste another day in the past. Forgive and allow the Blessing of the Lord to flow freely in your life!

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta 
*http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/2001/Dec01/r121101a.html\l (link to the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research)*http://www.Forgiving.org (link to the source of the findings of the Duke University Medical Center study)