Determined 2 – Overcomers
Thinking like Jesus involves making decisions as He did—unwavering and purpose-driven. Circumstances never influenced His pre-decided convictions. He remained resolute in fulfilling His mission. And so can you!
For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].—1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP
VALUE-BASED DECISIONS
Making decisions like Jesus involves pre-determining our values and purpose and then resolutely following through with unwavering commitment.
THE ART OF PRE-DECIDING
Using Jesus’ values, we will determine our course of action before the moment of decision.
Relying on Jesus’ values makes the outcome inevitable!
When our values are clear, difficult decisions are made easier.
We make our decisions, but really, our decisions make us.
John 10:10 – Satan steals our lives by stealing the values upon which our decisions should be determined.
THE VALUE STEALERS
(THAT JESUS OVERCAME)
1. TEMPTATION
Temptation occurs when we use values to make decisions that align with Satan’s desired outcome.
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.—Romans 7:18-19 NLT
By trapping you in a circumstantial war against temptation, Satan keeps you from fully living the supernatural life.
THE EXCUSES
“I wasn’t ready…”
“I didn’t see that coming.”
“I didn’t want to have to think about it anymore.”
“I was hurting so badly.”
Most of the bad things that happen to us are unplanned…
But we have to plan how to handle them when they come our way…
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.—Matthew 26:41 (Jesus)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13 (Paul)
Why prepare? Ready? Be on your guard? Why watch & pray!
1. The devil is coming for you. (Mission steal…)
I wrote to you… so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.—2 Corinthians 2:9a, 11 NLT
Satan wants you to be wrecked by blame and shame. It’s not the deed of sin but the consequences he is interested in.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 6:23 NLT
Determining to live life according to the values of Jesus and how He has asked us to live and not on the weakness of our own human nature is how we resist the Devil…
2. You are not as strong as you think.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!—1 Corinthians 10:12
Studies show that people overestimate their ability resist temptation.
Restraint Bias—You think you can resist more than you can.
Resisting temptation takes tons of energy.
Willpower is a limited resource. The more you use – the less you have.
Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now, you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.—Romans 6:19 NLT
For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but willpower is not enough to accomplish it. My lofty desires to do what is good are dashed when I do the things I want to avoid.—Romans 7:18-19 TPT
Three Keys to Fighting Temptation—Pre-Decide!
- Move From The Line
- Magnify the Cost
- Plan Your Escape
1. Move From The Line.(Tape)
Pre-Decide—”I’m putting distance between me and temptation.” (Move from the line)
Creating barriers between you and sin may seem restrictive but it is liberating.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.—Psalm 16:6
2.Magnify the cost.
What if the worst-case scenario comes true?
Satan loves the destructive consequences of sin.
…You will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.—Numbers 32:23
3.Plan your escape.
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.—Genesis 39:6-7
Jospeh had many hurts to justify a little pleasure and fun.
We use our disappointments to justify our disobedience.
We use the values of Jesus to build our determination.
Spouse isn’t meeting my needs—Do what I gotta do!. God let me be in this spot—I’m gonna “live” in it!
Joseph told her—No deal—Husband trusts—How sin him/God? He resisted—No more temptation?
Day after day—She hit on him—Day after day—Devil wear down.
You might think Joseph was strong. He wasn’t half as strong as he was ready!
He was smart enough to Pre-Plan his Escape!
But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.—Genesis 39:12b
Better to have a good name than a good coat.
If you’re not strong enough to resist it—Run from it!
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.—1 Corinthians 10:13
No one plans to mess up—Few plan not to!
Pre-Decide—I’m putting distance between myself and temptation.
Why would I resist a temptation in the future if I have the power to eliminate it today?
Decisions won’t be based on emotions in the moment
But on the values God placed on your heart!
A Value: YOU ARE VALUABLE
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.—Romans 6:14,16
Our defeat of the devil is recognizing the power of Jesus in our weakness.
…To be more like Jesus and not be defined or trapped by our circumstances.
No matter how often life’s unplanned circumstances have me falling, the grace of God has me standing. “I plan not to fall to temptation but to stand in His grace.”
There is no reason for you to take on the shame that keeps you bent over and your value diminished.
The temptation you may have submitted to may not be the temptation at all.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.—Romans 7:21-25
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