Step 1 - Awareness
Let me share with you this strategy I was given as I prayed on my run. It’s four steps – ABCD. A is for Awareness.
Or as I call it, “hyper-awareness”. I want to be aware, hyper-aware even, of my weaknesses and the places where the enemy is going to try trip me up. I spoke yesterday of my tendency to eat a bit too much, and so now I want to be very aware that this is a temptation the enemy will throw my way. I want to recognize that temptation the moment it comes so that I don’t let it grow and get stronger.
Guarding Against Temptation: Recognizing and Overcoming Evil Desires
James, in his letter to the early church, spoke about the nature of temptation. Listen to what he said: “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire 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 NIV)
Do you notice the process he describes here? It all begins with an evil desire or enticement… and if you don’t get rid of that, desire is conceived… and if you don’t stop it there, it gives birth to sin, and eventually sin leads to our death.
So the idea here is to be so aware of which evil desires or enticements might trip you up, that you never let them go unchecked, because that will result in this whole process leading to sin.
I found great worth it this hyper awareness. I am learning to quickly recognize a temptation and chuck it out of my mind before it takes root. Paul also spoke about this, he said that we as Christians must “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV).
Ask yourself today: which are the main ways in which the enemy tries to tempt me? Is it pride? Is it bursts of anger? Is it laziness? Is it gluttony? Is it sexual sin? It is self-pity? Is it judgement of others? Is it anxiety and worry?
Empowering Self-Awareness: Recognizing and Rejecting Temptation
Will you be very aware of your own struggles so that when the enemy drops a thought into your mind, you can recognize it before it takes root, and cast it away in Jesus’ name?
This sense of awareness helps you to a) avoid places and situations where these things are likely to bombard you, and b) to see the temptation coming over the horizon and get my mind off of it.
Don’t play with your sin friends, don’t let your temptations roll around your mind and spirit until sin is conceived. Be AWARE! Be quick to recognize where the enemy is going to tempt you, so you can cut off that temptation before it takes root.
Tomorrow I will share with you the next step: Believing in the Spirit’s power to help you stay free.
