2) How to Defeat Temptation (Kent Heaton)
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Proverbs4_23\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/07\/proverbs4_23.jpg?w=676\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/small>-1-<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t Allow Anyone to Steal Your Heart!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
R.J. Evans<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were a number of sad and tragic events in the life of King David. A series of events began with his sin with Bathsheba. His adultery with her led to deceit, and ultimately, the murder of her husband, Uriah. After David had Uriah killed and had taken this man\u2019s wife, God told him: \u201cNow therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house\u2026.Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house\u201d (2 Sam. 12:10-11). Soon his troubles and heartaches began. His infant son with Bathsheba died; his son Amnon raped his daughter, Tamar; his son, Absalom, murdered Amnon (2 Sam. 12-13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surely, one of the most heart-breaking developments in the life of David was when his son, Absalom, turned and rebelled against him. He committed treason against his own father \u2014 \u201cAbsalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel\u201d (2 Sam. 15:6). When having to go to battle against his son, David instructed his commanders to \u201cDeal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom\u201d (2 Sam. 18:5). As the battle raged, David was asking, \u201cIs the young man Absalom safe?\u201d (2 Sam. 18:29,32). When word came to David that his son had been killed, he cried out, \u201cO my son Absalom \u2014 my son, my son Absalom \u2014 if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!\u201d (2 Sam. 18:33). This has to be one of the saddest scenes that we read about in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s go back to the beginning when Absalom started stealing the hearts of the people. He very cunningly became trusted and more popular than David. He worked hard at it; he looked for troubled people; he reached out to them; he took a personal interest in them; he sympathized with them; he never personally attacked his father directly, he just promised to do better (2 Sam. 15:1-12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This reminds me of what has been happening among God\u2019s people today, especially to some of the young. Over the past few years, I have learned of congregations being affected by this type of thing. A young preacher (not always a preacher) comes in with false ideas, endears himself to the group, especially college students and young married couples, influences them and takes them away with his false teachings. Just recently, a friend called and told me of something similar to the aforementioned scenario that happened where he worships. A young preacher came in and preached the truth for about three years, all the while developing a close relationship with the young people. Then he started teaching error, split the church, and took about 40-50 with him \u2014 a dangerous trend that has been developing. We have great young people faithfully serving the Lord today, but some are being led astray. Yes, there are problems that often exist, but some have reacted by going to the extreme with bitterness toward those who are sincerely seeking to hold fast to the ancient landmarks of faith \u2014 the \u201cold paths\u201d of truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are several examples of erroneous teachings that some are promoting in different parts of the country that have come to my attention over the past few years. (1) A person is saved or \u201cborn again\u201d before baptism \u2014 that baptism is not essential to salvation. They are using typical, Calvinistic, denominational arguments that teach salvation by \u201cfaith only.\u201d (2) Approved apostolic examples are not binding in establishing Bible authority for what is allowed or not allowed in the service of the Lord. They are saying that books such as Acts are to be viewed simply as a narrative, not as an example for us to follow today. (3) Social drinking is justified and accepted. (4) Distorted views are held on worship \u2014 particularly the Lord\u2019s Supper. Sadly, there are brethren who are being influenced and led astray by these false teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In principle, the actions of those who are teaching some of the above errors just cited are much like Absalom who \u201cstole the hearts of the men of Israel.\u201d Thus, we all need to be alert to this potential problem. We must be careful not to become bitter and unhappy, allowing ourselves to become vulnerable to false teachers and some of the dangerous trends that are occurring. Much of what has been mentioned feeds off bitterness and dissatisfaction toward the truth and God\u2019s people. Brethren are being led astray! The Apostle Paul said, \u201cWatch, stand fast in the faith\u201d (1 Cor. 16:13). The Apostle John said, \u201cBeloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world\u201d (1 Jn. 4:1). Our hearts belong to God! We are to love, serve, and obey Him with all our hearts. Brethren, especially those of you who are young, don\u2019t allow anyone to steal your heart!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Via the bulletin of the Southside church of Christ, Gonzales, Louisiana, March 6, 2016
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?\u201d (Psalm 8:3,4, NASB).
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"matthew26_41\"](\"https:\/\/thegospelobserver.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/07\/matthew26_41.jpg?w=676\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Defeat Temptation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kent Heaton<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whenever we think of something as a temptation we consider it as evil. The original Latin could suggest something good or bad, but the evil sense has taken a predominate role in its definition. The idea of temptation is rooted in the challenge of character. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met become temptations to evil. Overcoming temptations is the focus of a daily walk in a world given over to the indulgence of temptations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James exhorts us to \u201ccount it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations\u201d or \u201ctrials\u201d (James 1:2). Barnes said, \u201cRegard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation (act of congratulating).\u201d Paul reminds us that nothing will be put upon us that we cannot overcome with the power of the Lord. \u201cNo temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it\u201d (I Corinthians 10:13). Our prayers are to be laced with exhortations of faithfulness. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, \u201cLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil\u201d (Matthew 6:13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter our best efforts we stumble and give in to temptations. Often we succumb to temptations because we fail to know the way of defeating temptation. Jesus offers the answer to defeating temptation in the garden of Gethsemane as He exhorts the disciples: \u201cWatch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. Truly the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak\u201d (Mark 14:38). The two-part answer to temptation is to be watchful and to be praying. The only way we can stand against temptation is to stand on the pillars of watch and pray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus did not say look and pray; He said watch and pray. The word \u201cwatch\u201d carries with it the idea of vigilance and being alert. Often we see temptation and invite it in. Being watchful is being careful of what we are allowing to happen in our lives. Many things in life we cannot control, but allowing that thing to remain and become a temptation is when sin happens. In defining sin, James said that temptation comes about when \u201ceach one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death\u201d (James 1:14-15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being watchful about temptation is to remove those things that would bring about temptation. We are to pray for the Lord not to lead us into temptation (Matthew 6:13) but we do not need to go running into it either. To the discerning mind, sin is easily defined by watching out for it and being aware of the dangers of giving in to temptation. As Barney Fife would say, \u201cNip it in the bud.\u201d Good advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second pillar of strength to overcome temptation is vital: prayer. Watching for temptation helps us identify sin, but prayer helps us defeat sin. Prayer is powerful (James 5:13-18). Prayer made the sun stand still (Joshua 10:12-14); the dead rise (II Kings 4:32- 37); the rain stop for three years and six months (James 5:17). The knee bent in prayer will keep the feet from running to evil. A humble heart of prayer will melt the fiery desire of temptation. In our text, Jesus is in the garden before His death, earnestly praying to His Father for strength. The cross was the greatest temptation Jesus faced. He had the power to destroy all those who sought to kill Him, but He chose to give His life a ransom. He overcame temptation through prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lord will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist \u2014 provided we are watching and praying. \u201cPray without ceasing\u201d (I Thessalonians 5:17) is an admonition to help us overcome temptation \u201cwithout ceasing.\u201d Constant vigilance and watchful care for those things that will tempt us with harm and the continued spirit of prayer will defeat temptation. \u201cBe careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus\u201d (Philippians 4:6-7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Via article from the La Vista church of Christ
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel,\u00a0for that is how faith comes\u00a0(Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31). \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1) Don\u2019t Allow Anyone to Steal Your Heart! (R.J. Evans)2) How to Defeat Temptation (Kent Heaton)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- Don\u2019t Allow Anyone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=727"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":728,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727\/revisions\/728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Christ\u00a0<\/strong>(John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent <\/strong>of sins\u00a0(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith <\/strong>in Christ\u00a0(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins\u00a0<\/strong>(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21). \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
6) Continue in the faith, <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost\u00a0(Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
<\/strong>Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday<\/strong> services:\u00a09:00 AM (Bible class);\u00a010 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday:\u00a0<\/strong>7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor:<\/strong>\u00a0Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
http:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go<\/a>\u00a0(Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but back to March 1990)
http:\/\/ThomasTEdwards.com\/audioser.html<\/a>\u00a0(audio sermons)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"