Escaping the Grip’s of Temptation Pt.3 Closing Doors

Escaping the Grips of Temptation

Part III: Closing Doors

Ephesians 4:25-30 (NKJV)

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

I. INTRODUCTION

II. WHEN IS IT TIME TO CLOSE PORTALS?

A. WHEN SIN HAS GROWN ROOTS IN YOUR LIFE 

1 John 1:6-8

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 4:25-28

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

B. WHEN YOU ARE RECEIVING FROM THOSE WHO LIVE IN YOUR WORLD OF SIN 

James 4:4 4

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

What’s left when you take fun out of your relationships?

Hebrews 12:6

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

C. WHEN YOU ARE RESISTING GOD AND SUBMITTING TO PRIDE 

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 11:2-3

When pride comes, then comes shame but with the humble is wisdom.3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

D. WHEN YOU ARE TURNING FROM YOUR FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH 

Matthew 7:24-29

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

III. CREATE 5 TYPES OF BOUNDARIES

A. PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES 

John 2:23-25

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

B. TIME BOUNDARIES 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

C. CONVERSATIONAL BOUNDARIES 

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct (or conversation) be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Proverbs 26:4

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.”

D. RELATIONSHIP BOUNDARIES 

Proverbs 25:16-17

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

E. PERSONAL BOUNDARIES 

IV. HOW TO GET THE VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION

A. PRAYING FOR THE SOVEREIGN GRACE 

Psalm 119:37

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

B. Flee 

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

C. Quote Scripture 

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

D. Pray in the midst of Temptation 

Your word says that if I will wait for you you will renew my strength so that I can face the challenge and win the battle

E. Get a brother or sister to pray with you 

Matthew 18:19-20

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

F. Ask someone to hold you accountable 

G. Remember God’s Faithfulness 

1 Corinthians 1:9

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

H. Remember sin has Consequences. 

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the [a]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.