(Pastor Chen)
In our last lesson we began the subject of temptation, and how we, as believers can overcome temptation. We pointed out that temptation is simply an appeal to our desires. Knowing this, we can avoid temptation by avoiding the avenues of temptation. Many people fall into temptation because they place themselves in a position to be tempted. The Word of God warns us not to give place to the devil. We must avoid situations and places that will give the enemy an opportunity. We must also learn to overcome temptation in areas that are unavoidable.
The key to overcome temptation is found in GAL 5:16, "Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Notice that it did not say, "Walk in the spirit, and you shall not have the lust of the flesh." As long as we are in this body, we will have to deal with the lusts of the flesh. There is no exception. Nobody in the world can ever be spiritual enough that they do not face temptations. However, the devil would like for you to believe that you are the only one having problems, and cause you to be discouraged and give up. Everyone experiences temptations everyday, but we can overcome them by walking in the spirit. The ability and the strength to overcome temptations are through the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot successfully overcome temptations in our own strength. While some people may have a strong will to overcome temptations, they are constantly struggling, and having to tough it out all the time. They live in a life of bondage. Thank God we are called to liberty. God does not want us to rough it out, trying to live a moral and disciplined life. God wants us to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit, and rely on His strength. God will never tell us to do anything without giving us the ability to do so. This ability to live a holy life comes through the Word and the Spirit (HEB 4:12; PS 119:9-11; EPH 3:16). PROV 25:5 says, "A man of knowledge increases strength." We are strengthened in our spirit as we give place to the Word. I COR 14:4 says, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies (charges up or builds up) himself." As we continue in the Word and praying in the Spirit, we will be strengthened and empowered in our spirit to overcome anything that the devil has to dish out.
Again, GAL 5:16 says, "Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Notice that "walk" is an act of our will. A person can be strengthened and built up in the spirit yet not walking in the spirit. We must choose to walk in the spirit. Our soul (which is our mind, will and emotion) controls our whole being. God designed us that way. Our mind is involved in the decision-making process. We often hear people say, "make up your mind," or "I made up my mind to do such and such" because our mind carries out our purposes and our intentions. The key to a successful Christian walk is allowing our spirit to dominate, and to operate through our mind by the act of our will, (walking in the spirit). Every thought we have must be subjected to our spirit, which is submitted to God. Any thought contrary to God must be cast down (II COR 10:4-5). Therefore, our thought life determines whether we will succeed or fail in overcoming temptations. Our mind is the battleground, because this is where temptation is presented. Thoughts trigger emotions (feelings), and this is how the devil is able to hold people captive. We must make a choice of either bringing our thoughts into captivity or letting thoughts bring us into captivity. Thoughts not cast down will evolve into imaginations, and imaginations produce strongholds. A person is then obsessed with the thoughts until the act is committed. A person who kills or steals or commits adultery starts out with a thought. This thought then becomes an imagination in which the person sees himself committing the act. His imagination becomes a stronghold, and the person finally commits the act. This process may be carried out instantaneously, depending on where the person stands in the Lord. It can and will happen to anybody. I COR 10:12 says, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." We need to constantly and consistently examine our thought life. If we can conquer sin in the thoughts, then it will never be manifested in the flesh. It is much easier to put out a brush fire than a blazing fire. The thought that I wanted to bring out is that we must control our thought life. If we do not control our thought life, someone else will. It will either be the world, the flesh, or the devil. Turn to the TV (Tempting Vessel) and you can see it clearly. We must set our mind on things above, and not on the things on the earth. This requires a renewing of our mind through the Word of God. The more our mind is renewed with the Word, the more our decisions will be based on the Word. Our spirit will then be able to operate through our mind (in agreement) and take control over our body. When our spirit is in control, we will ALWAYS have victory because our spirit is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is what it means to be spiritually minded, which produces life and peace, not bondage and struggle.
In conclusion, God has already given us the victory in every area of our lives through JESUS. It is up to us, not God to walk in that victory by developing our spirit, renewing our mind, and controlling our flesh. This is the true Christian way of life, a life of victory and a life of abundance. Purpose in your heart and start where you are to begin to make this walk of faith. Remember, it is the doer of the Word that is blessed.