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Ready Day 14 Gathered Together: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Gathered Together!

The Questions

1) What event was the author, Paul, addressing in verse 1?

2) Why did the believers need to be encouraged? (verses 2-5)

3) What restrains “the man of lawlessness” and his evil work? (verses 6-12)

4) How is the believer’s behavior contrasted with those who do not accept God’s love and truth? (verses 13-17)

2 Thessalonians 2

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

5 Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? 6 And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie, 10 and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

Original Intent

1) What event was the author, Paul, addressing in verse 1?
After years of persecuting Christians, a radically changed Paul launched many churches across the ancient world. As one of the most prominent leaders of the early church, his letters encouraged believers to maintain their faith and fix their hope on Jesus’ return. Amid the hardships they faced as Christians, the belief in “the coming of the Lord.” (verse 1) was an important foundation of the church. Church leaders like James, Peter, and John all affirmed the return of the Lord Jesus. (James 5:7-8, 2 Peter 3:10-12, 1 John 2:28) Bible scholars tell us the event is referenced over 1,500 times in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself referred to His return over 20 times. (5 Facts about Christ’s Return) The New Testament focuses primarily on Jesus’ first coming as a baby, but it also contains many references to an occasion in which He will come again to gather all believers to Himself and bring everything to its appropriate end. 1 & 2 Thessalonians are letters written by the apostle Paul to the Christian believers in the city of Thessalonica. (bibleplaces.com) Though Paul’s initial visit was cut short by a riot, this didn’t deter him from covering weighty matters concerning Jesus as Messiah. (Acts 17:1-10) Paul’s first letter to Thessalonica addressed questions about the resurrection and return of Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) It makes sense that questions concerning Jesus’ return were often on their minds. It now seems they were being told His return had already happened, and Paul responds in verse 1 to their specific concerns.

2) Why did the believers need to be encouraged? (verses 2-5)
After Paul commended the believers in 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12 for their faith and love, he explained again about the coming of the Lord Jesus. It seems they had heard disturbing news through erroneous prophecy that the return of Christ had already happened. Paul reminds and encourages them by instructing them that two things must occur first: 1) the apostasy, and 2) the revelation of the man of lawlessness. The English word “apostasy” is a transliteration (What Is Transliteration?) of the Greek word apostasia, which signifies a great rebellion against God. This will be led by the “man of lawlessness”, an evil world ruler to come. Bible scholars believe Paul gleaned his understanding of future events from the Old Testament prophet Daniel. Several times in this passage, he refers to “the man of lawlessness” who will rise to power. (verses 3-9) In Daniel 7-9, the prophet dreams and speaks of one who is a boastful king who will “oppress the holy ones … [and] intend to change religious festivals and laws.” (Daniel 7:25) This evil ruler will introduce a false peace to the world and will oppose God. He will even claim himself to be God. (verse 4) Paul assures them in verse 3 that all this was yet to come; they had not missed it!

3) What restrains “the man of lawlessness” and his evil work? (verses 6-12)
In Matthew 24:3-12, Jesus mentions His return and warns His disciples to be aware of rumors regarding His future coming “and of the end of the age.” Even though some Jews had come to understand Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah (Matthew 3:11-12, Matthew 21:9), the “day of the Lord” was shadowy and confusing to many who believed in Him. (Bible Project) Paul is reminding them of truth they already know so they wouldn’t despair. (verses 5-6) Despite the current signs that were potentially signaling the last days, Paul encouraged them to remember his teaching about the timing and details of what would occur. He wrote to them that the “mystery” rebellion against God would continue. “It is not open sin and wickedness, but dissembled piety, specious errors, wickedness under a form of godliness cunningly managed, that is here meant.” (studylight.org) Since the Thessalonians already had knowledge about who was restraining the evil one, he does not specify in these verses who it is. Bible scholars have differing views regarding the identity of the “one now restraining.” (verse 7) There is biblical evidence, however, that the Holy Spirit of God works to restrain evil through His presence in the lives of Christ followers (John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Titus 3:4-7) The Spirit of God works in the lives of Christians in order to exhibit His righteousness to the world through us. In doing so, He holds humanity back from the swelling tide of complete and utter lawlessness. Though we should not be dogmatic about specifically “who” the restrainer is, Paul is clear that at some future time human depravity will no longer be restrained. When that happens, the lawless leader will be revealed for who he truly is.

4) How is the believer’s behavior contrasted with those who do not accept God’s love and truth? (verses 13-17)
Jesus said He would come again to gather the saints (those called and set apart for the Lord’s work) to Himself. He first came as a humble baby to rescue humanity from their death through His own death, consequently transferring those who believe in Him from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:13-14) Paul was glad he could always give thanks for his Thessalonians friends, and in his letter, he expresses his thankful heart. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) The basis for his joy was their salvation in God and obedience to Him. Paul’s boast about them was based completely on God’s power in them. He wrote to them regarding his firm conviction about the manner in which God accomplishes salvation through a person’s faith, and how they demonstrated that faith with their obedience. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-12) He contrasted that obedience with those “who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8) In verse 12, Paul writes that those who delight in unrighteousness will be judged and condemned. BUT thankfully, this is not the case for these believers in Thessalonica. (verses 13-14) They were growing in righteousness (right living before God) and had obviously heeded his previous letter’s challenge to them to live uprightly. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7)

Everyday Application

1) What event was the author, Paul, addressing in verse 1?
You wouldn’t need to search long to realize there are a myriad of beliefs about Christ’s return. Though there is an abundance of teaching about this in Scripture, there is no simple outline or timeline to clarify exactly what will happen or when. Many people throughout church history have confused the teaching of the apostles that Christ could come at any moment with the unbiblical idea that He would come at any moment. While the return of Christ should be taught as a certainty, the details surrounding His coming back should not be. It would be right of us to say that Christ will come “soon”. What we should mean by that is we believe Christ will come “surely.” Unfortunately, too many people today equate “soon” with a microwave mentality. Jesus’ imminent return is not the same as His immediate return. Jesus explained in Matthew 24 and Matthew 25 that we are unable to precisely predict the time of His return. Apparently, we do not need to know the timing or He would have told us! We are admonished, however, to continually anticipate His return and be ready in a way that demonstrates we believe He is coming to gather to Himself those who have been made righteous through Jesus. (Luke 12:36-40) Because the specific time of Christ’s return is unknowable, believers are urged to be prepared by keeping our lives unstained by the world’s evil. Sisters, we do this not by removing ourselves from culture, but by immersing ourselves in God’s word and praying for His Spirit to teach and empower us to daily live for Him.

2) Why did the believers need to be encouraged? (verses 2-5)
Paul’s letter is filled with information regarding Christ’s coming again to earth. The problem is that, as curious humans, we will not find all our questions answered as specifically as we probably wish. Those with inquiring minds want more details, don’t we?! I especially would like to know just who is going to make all the trouble for everyone before Jesus comes back. Is he alive right now? Where does he live? These questions have possibly come to your mind, too. Thankfully, we have Paul’s encouragement to “not be easily upset or troubled” by these thoughts. In fact, the Bible speaks often about the unshakeable hope we have as believers, even as we live in this unsettled world. This is not a “hope so” kind of belief, but it is a confident assurance based upon the strong foundation of the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ! Paul encouraged the believers to stand firm amid the false messages they heard because of their sure hope. This is a good word for us as well! My friend, we do not need to fret when we hear rumors and conspiracy theories about the end of the world. When Jesus returns “we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonian 4:17-18)

3) What restrains “the man of lawlessness” and his evil work? (verses 6-12)
Some would call current times the “Church Age”. Since the Church was born, it has existed on earth as God’s revelation and expression of Himself. Before Pentecost, God had not indwelled humans permanently and eternally. Scripture records the Holy Spirit of God working before Jesus came to earth, but His presence with people was temporary. (Psalm 51:10-12) The Church Age is marked by the Holy Spirit’s permanent indwelling of God’s people. The Spirit’s presence is evident as God’s people gather to pray, preach, sing, and serve. That the Church exists and thrives worldwide is a powerful picture of God’s nearness. I sometimes forget the Church is one of the most significant means of restraining evil on earth. I’m not talking about people going to a church building, but people indwelled by the Holy Spirit, which happens when they surrender themselves wholly to God. Their presence continues to be part of what keeps society from total chaos and unbridled lawlessness. It’s the Holy Spirit, through His people, who is hindering unrighteousness and rebellion from spiraling out of control. Sisters, reflect on this amazing truth with me. As the Holy Spirit controls our lives, it’s our prayers, our service, our joy, and our love that God uses to keep Satan from causing complete anarchy. Although the world is ultimately helpless against Satan’s schemes and power, God, in His providence, uses the Church to restrain him. We might better understand the text if the identity of the restrainer wasn’t vague, but it is. Whether or not we’re ever sure of the restrainer’s identity, the necessary point is seeing God’s sovereign control in the return of Christ, as it is He who orchestrates the signs and time of His return. Oh friend, may our trust in His good and perfect plan sustain us as we wait with certain hope for our Lord’s return!

4) How is the believer’s behavior contrasted with those who do not accept God’s love and truth? (verses 13-17)
As a Christ-follower, I believe Jesus plainly spoke of His return. Scripture records several instances of Jesus telling of His imminent return, which is sooner than later and will happen quickly. We may not know exactly when Jesus will return, but what we do know gives us insight into how we should live until He does. The people of Jesus await His coming with eager anticipation. It is this hope that binds us together in unity and expectation. As we gather to worship, we sing and prayerfully declare our joy and hope. In doing this, we are actively encouraging one another to “hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since He who promised is faithful. And [we] consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as we see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25) Oh, please hold fast, dear Sister! Let’s remind ourselves of truth about Jesus. I urge you to make a personal habit of gathering often with others who hold this same hope. Jesus gave His followers who were with Him on earth, and those who would come after them, this instruction and encouragement, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:32-33) It is because of this truth Paul reminded his friends to live differently than those living without hope. Praise God, we live for the glory of Christ! “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” (verses 16-17)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ready Week Three!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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The GT Weekend! – Roads Week 3

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Hope is something none of us can live without. Total lack of it is the cause of death for victims of suicide all across the world. Though many of us reading this aren’t necessarily suicidal, we all struggle with losing hope in some form. What would it look like to take the hope of the gospel, offered through Jesus Christ in the middle of your seemingly hopeless situation? Journal some areas you are feeling hopeless, then take the truth of Jesus to those areas, laying everything before the Lord. Ask Him to bring you solid, certain hope! 

2) There seem to be so many different belief systems around us and it can feel overwhelming trying to understand them all. Which is why having a solid foundation of knowing truth is a critical first step to engaging someone else. Challenge yourself to write down 4 or 5 main core beliefs you hold about the state of the human heart, God, eternity, and salvation. Why do you believe those? Are you worried those aren’t strong enough to support genuine criticisms? Why or why not? Be willing to dig around and investigate, it will always be worth it!

3) The road home; it sounds so inviting doesn’t it? Jesus is constantly pursuing each of us, calling us homeward, to rest with Him in intimate, deep relationship. As we’ve studied these 9 religions, only one road will bring us home, the way of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully God, fully man, sacrificial Lamb, and perfect mediator between us and God. As believers in Jesus, this gives us great confidence as we look towards eternity! But this good news is not meant to be bottled up. Begin praying intentionally, every day this week, about who the Spirit of God is leading you to engage in spiritual conversations with that they too, might find the road home!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Ephesians 2:1-6 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Prayer Journal
Lord Jesus Christ, I praise You, O King, for having mercy on sinners like me. Sinners who have marred Your holiness, sought after my own gain, and worshipped other gods before You. How deep and wide is Your gracious forgiveness! Turn my heart to ever sink into the truths of Your Word as Your Spirit reminds me constantly of the Gospel.  
I know this gospel isn’t just a lavish gift for me, You have intentionally called me out to share it. Jesus, I confess I become easily overwhelmed when it comes to sharing my faith. I worry about not having the right answers, offending someone, or turning them away from You. I confess my lack of faith to You now, Abba. Teach my heart to trust Your word and Your way and Your Spirit. Give me opportunities to share Your hope, break my heart for the eternity of others that I might fully love them with grace and truth by sharing about You! 
For Your Glory, my King, Amen. 

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Roads Day 1 Tell Me About Your God

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 16:5-16
2 Timothy 2:14-26
1 John 3:16-20
Colossians 1:15-20 

Roads, Day 1

This has undoubtedly been the most difficult journey study I’ve written.
Likely, it’s the most difficult piece of work I’ve written in my entire life.  

From the age of 5, I grew up in the backyard neighborhoods of Parowan, Utah, known as the “Mormon Mother Town.” I spent many days with my beloved grandparents, befriending the city’s pool lifeguards, performing shows for my grandparents’ neighbors, and playing with children along their street.

I often refer to Mormons as “my people”.
There’s simply no other way I can describe the connection I feel with anyone who calls Mormonism their religion. Some of my best friends in high school were Mormon, my neighbors were Mormon, my co-workers were Mormon, and I have many family members who are Mormon (not my grandparents).
Mormons are truly, my people.  

Mormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world.
If you think you don’t know someone attending the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”, chances are, you actually do without knowing.
You’ve probably seen Mormon missionaries walking the streets, perhaps you’ve taken time to talk with them.
If you’ve ever chatted with a Mormon, then you probably know they do, indeed,
call themselves Christians.  

Famous evangelical pastor, John MacArthur, in referencing a conversation he’d had with a Mormon missionary, said:  

“…We sat in a room and they told me they believe in salvation by grace,
and salvation through faith,
and salvation in Christ.
And they wanted to affirm the things we had in common…
when we got done with hours and hours of conversation… they said,
‘We want to affirm salvation by grace alone,
we want to affirm salvation through faith,
we want to affirm salvation through Christ.’

…And I said, ‘I want to ask you three questions…  

Tell me about your God?’
And they gave me a God who didn’t have three persons. 
So, I said, ‘Whatever it is we want to talk about with faith, grace, and Christ, let’s just get this straight, we have a different God.

Tell me your Christology?’
They said, ‘Jesus is created by God and He is a higher order of created being.’
And I said, ‘Then let’s make this clear, we have a different Christ. 

… If I wanted to get to the highest level of Heaven what would I need to do?’ 
‘You would need to join the Mormon church, you would need to evident certain obediences and baptize by a certain spirit-endowed baptism.’  And I said, ‘We have a different Gospel.
Apart from those, we agree.’”  

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Parowan.
The trip felt somber and holy to me; I wasn’t the same person I’d been when I’d left for college.
I left as a broken, hurting teenager, and returned as a mom and wife,
secure in my identity in Christ.

One of the most important things I learned from a conversation with some dear Christian missionary friends was this:  

“If we want to effectively witness to Mormons, 
we need to study the Bible inside and out, 
we need to know the truth, so when we hear anything that isn’t that, 
we can recognize it right away.”  

Mormons use many of the same terms we do when discussing our faith.
When we study the Bible, we learn the definitions of those terms, and are able to recognize it when definitions don’t match.

With that said, I want to remind you what the Bible, our only source for truth, says about God the Father, Jesus, and the Gospel.

God the Father: 
The Bible teaches God is a triune God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, Each person is fully God, co-equal with one another. 
Each are persons of the One, Same, Unified God. Three persons, one God.   

God, as a whole, is a creating God, but God was never created; He has eternally existed as God, which John discusses in John 1.

God is a good God, who never wanted death, disease, or destruction to exist, but because of our great sin, God implemented His plan of redemption.
Everything in Scripture points to Jesus, His sacrificial death on our behalf, which is even acceptable as an atonement for our sin because He is fully God, and even further… His resurrection from the dead! God perfectly mastered the details of history, over a span of thousands of years, fulfilling His plan to save us.  

Jesus: 
Jesus is fully God; Lord of lords and King of kings. (Revelation 19:16)
He was born a miraculous conception through the Holy Spirit.
Because God speaks and galaxies are formed, He spoke, and Mary was pregnant with Jesus who was 100% man and 100% God.
Jesus Christ was not just a good man who performed incredible miracles, like healing the blind and paralyzed,
He is God. He and the Father are one.
Because JESUS IS GOD, He was not created. Paul, in Colossians, shows us how Jesus is the Creator, not the created. Through Jesus, “all things were created through Him and for Him; He is before all things, and through Him, all things hold together”. (Colossians 1:15-20)
It makes no sense for a Being who holds all things together to Himself be created.  

Gospel:
The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus died for our sins, then conquered death as He rose from the dead!
We are full of sin.
Every thought, action, word, and motive that is less than perfectly holy is sin in the sight of God. Because God is perfectly holy, it is literally impossible for sin to be in His presence. As a result, we are hopelessly separated from Him.

But Jesus bridges that great chasm between man and God
precisely because He is both fully man and fully God.
He is fully man, living our human lives, and fully God, fulfilling the entire law of God perfectly on our behalf while living a human life. (Hebrews 2:17)

The simple Gospel is this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and ONLY Son, that whoever believes in Him, won’t perish, but will have everlasting life.”
That’s it.
We are invited to confess with our mouth and believe in our heart
that Jesus Christ is GOD, 
that He died our death, 
then ROSE, forever conquering death!

There is no work, not even baptism, we can do to “earn Heaven”.
The only work that could possibly be accepted is absolute perfection,
which is utterly impossible.

Once we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, then God is IN us.
He begins changing us from the inside out!
THAT is why Christians are often found serving and loving others.
Not because we are trying to earn our way to Heaven, but because we are becoming more and more like Jesus.
He is our transformation! 

Friends, one thing I’ve learned is this:
the best way to represent the Lord Jesus is to remember that we are Jesus with skin on.
We might be the only Jesus that people ever meet (because He is IN us!).

As we engage with our Mormon friends, don’t be timid in talking about the Lord.
Don’t shy away from praying with friends or inviting them to church, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Most of all, study the Bible, spend time with the Lord so you know HIM and you know TRUTH.
Invite others to “tell me about your god”, and see where the Lord takes you!

For further study into Mormonism, I highly recommend the following books: 
Mormonism, Mama, and Me
Thank You for the Book of Mormon
The New Mormon Challenge 

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Roads Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Roads!

Prayer Day 11 Delivery, Please

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 6:5-15
Romans 7:15-20 
Hebrews 10:19-25 
Matthew 4:1-11  

Prayer, Day 11

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” ~Jesus
Temptation is the desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment,
while threatening long-term goals.

It’s something we all face and have all given in to.
“We have all fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 

The face of temptation looks different for everyone,
but one thing is the same, when we follow temptation, sin will drag us in. 

Every. Time.

For some, it may be the urge to spend money on things you don’t need.
For others, it could the desire to eat or drink or medicate the pain away.
Or maybe for you, it’s looking to the internet to satisfy a sexual urge.
The urge to share that juicy story, the desire to arrogantly prove yourself right, the lust for more.
Temptations are everywhere, for everyone.  

As we walk through life, we look for healthy ways to handle temptations.
We put money in safe places, so we can’t spend it.
We lock away the food and drinks.
We pursue accountability partners and even counseling. 

But, if we are completely honest, even with all the safeguards, we still give into temptation. 

Because here’s the truth about temptation for anyone who does not have Christ. 
You cannot win against the temptation to sin. 
It’s absolutely impossible. 

The apostle Paul says of himself before Jesus:
“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  So now it is no longer I who do it, but Sin that dwells within me. 
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. 
For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”
Romans 7:15-20 

See, without the rule and reigning authority of Christ and His Righteous Life indwelling us, making us free, we are dead to life. 
We are chained to sin.
Temptation will always grip us.  

But guess what?
There is hope!

Paul concludes his description with a desperate, pleading question:
“Who will deliver me from this body of Death?!” (verse 24)

Who??!
Jesus.
Jesus delivers.

And so, Paul shouts with triumphant victory!
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verse 25)

Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we are freed unto Life! 
We are no longer under the reign of Sin and Death, tied down with no choice but to accept Temptation’s death knell, we are free. 
Free to walk away from Temptation and her seductive lies.
She doesn’t.
The Enemy never does. 

James wisely teaches, “Resist the Devil (by submitting to God), and he will flee from you.”

Peter reiterates, “Resist him (the Devil), be firm in your faith…”

Freedom from temptation begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
First, our lives fully surrendered to Him.
Second, our moments of temptation given over to Him.

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

This was Jesus’ own prayer.
It was His modeled invitation declaring Himself to be
the only way out of temptation. 

Want true deliverance?
It’s found in nothing else than by calling on the Sweet Name of Jesus. 

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul says, “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

During Jesus’ own experience with temptation, He again modeled for us the proper way to fight temptation: with the all-powerful Word of the LORD.  Matthew 4:1-11.  

We must use God’s Word of God to fight temptation.
Until we start fighting spiritually,
we will continue to fall into Death instead of living real life.

Just as Paul knew that through Christ alone, who took our punishment for our sin in our place, giving us His righteousness and free access to God through Himself,
he knew every victory was bound up in that powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Victory to break the chains of sin that temptation brings.
Chains keeping us in darkness.
Chains holding us in bondage.
Chains keeping us from experience of redemptive power of grace.
Chains holding us back from being fully used to glorify God. 

Temptation is strong, but our God is stronger! 

So Lord, “lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13
Lord, “search our hearts, know us, and remove any evil way in us.” Psalm 139:23-24 

God, You have already won the battle of our hearts, so help us walk in that freedom!
Teach us to rely solely on you, using your Word to keep us firm.
Remind us, Spirit, that we are Dead to Sin because of Jesus Christ!
Teach us, every day, in all the ways we are tempted, to give ourselves fully over to You. 
Deliver us Lord, like only you can!
And we will join with the shout of Paul,
“Thanks be to God (for the freedom that comes) through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Prayer Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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