Real Men Flee Temptation

Originally inspired by "Men of the Word" chapter by Andrew Gutierrez

Society puts unrealistic expectations on men and defines masculinity in ways that are not in accordance with the Word of God. The Biblical perspective on what it takes to be a man could perhaps be summed up in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:13. "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (ESV)

Men don't idolize sports figures, status symbols, money or pleasure. Boys are capable of that! It is the luxury of the immature to be irresponsible and self-indulgent. Men do the HARD things in life. Men don't argue and fight over whose job it is.  They are mature enough to know that jobs just have to be done -- and they do them.

Being tempted IS NOT a sin! 

Sin is what lies on the other side of temptation (Genesis 4:7)!

Pray

Our flesh is weak, but we can call on God for help.

He understands the concept of temptation.

He requires "boldness" in our approach to him.

Remember the Gospel

Jesus came to "save sinners".

When we continually fall into sin through temptation, we are living as if God doesn't exist.

We live in defeat, not because we HATE God, because we FORGET Him.

2 Timothy 2:22 -- "Flee also youthful lusts:

 but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Run with Godly People

We all need one another.

We fail to live in victory when we are always "fleeing" bad things.
We would be much better off to engage ourselves in the "pursuit" of good things.
And when you are doing one, you are doing the other by default-- it just is a shift of perspective!!
When you run with someone else, you find an accountability that has the potential to spur you on to greatness!
Don't always be talking about what you DON'T WANT to be! 
Talk instead about what you WANT to become!

Resist the Temptation
Flee the temptation and combat it in your spirit with the WORD of God.
No -- it's not too hard!
There is no temptation overtaken you but such as is common to men -- AND GOD IS FAITHFUL and won't allow you to be tempted above what you can bear!
The road to victory over temptation is not always going to be easy, but it WILL BE WORTH IT!

Stop Being Good!

In case you read the title and thought, “Finally!!!”, I hate to disappoint. But I must! Instead of a call to mischief, I’d like to challenge you by means of a question: What might happen if instead of trying to “be good” we decided to “be better”?

Trying to “be good”, especially as it relates to living victoriously for Jesus, sets the bar in a particular place — one where our success is gauged by the approval of men, rather than pleasing the Lord. (For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 [ESV]) This place is sometimes set for us by ourselves, but most often, we set that bar as a result of observing the lives of others or listening to their words. The danger is that we would either realize “I’m already better than them” and fail to grow or we would begin to believe that the goal is unattainable and, again, fail to grow. (For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 [KJV])

For the sake of pleasing Christ, I think we need to put aside comparison as a means of judging our rate of success and begin to measure our “real” progress. (For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbour. Galatians 6:3-4 [ESV])

~ If you prayed today, when you didn’t yesterday, that’s improvement.

~ If you worshipped today, when you didn’t yesterday, that’s improvement.

~ If you read your Bible today, when you didn’t yesterday, that’s improvement.

~ If you beat that temptation that usually beats you, that’s improvement.

~ If you held your tongue where you normally would “erupt”, that’s improvement.

Don’t hold out for perfection… that’s a plan doomed to failure. Instead, hold out for improvement… one day, one act, one victory at a time… that’s a plan for success that we all can attain.

Don’t just be good… be better!

What Are We Doing?

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson