I believe we need to have a balanced approach to studying the Word. We need community study where we can study and discuss it together. We need Sundays where we hear the word from preachers and teachers. And we need personal study.
Psalm 119:9-11, for example, says, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Is there a certain area of your life where you are regularly tempted? Create a game plan to attack the temptation when it arises. Step 1 – choose a small portion that addresses the temptation. Step 2 – memorize it. Step 3 – Review it over and over. Have it ready to go. Step 4 – Employ it against temptation. When you do, do not think of it as a spell that magically rescues you. Instead think about the word of God, meditate on it. Look for ways might have addressed it. Look for ways other Christians have victory in this area.
Let me give you a couple examples:
Do you struggle with speaking out of anger? Hurt others with your words? What are some scripture verses you could memorize that specifically address anger? So that when you are feeling that desire, that temptation within you to be angry, you can go back to that Scripture, quote it, and fight temptation? How about 1 Peter 3:8? “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Do you struggle with lust? Pornography? How about Philippians 4:8? “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
How about gossip? Slander? Talking about other people makes us feel better about ourselves? Proverbs has a bunch. How about Proverbs 11:13? “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Is jealousy strong in you? Discontentment? Manifest itself with overspending? How about Hebrews 13:5? “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
But know this, quoting Scripture like Jesus did is not a Harry Potter magic spell that wipes out the temptation and makes life easy.
It can take practice. You will likely fail sometimes. The temptation can be strong. The temptation might be within you (flesh, pride of life, lust of eyes). You may be fighting yourself. You might be fighting a tough battle that may go on and on multiple times over multiple days, months and years.
Keep fighting.
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Engaging Scripture 