October 3
“For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:14-17)
Yesterday we spoke of the need to think through and make a list of all of the reasons we can think of to overcome sins of immorality. (This methodology will work also for any sin, not just sins of immorality. For any sin that we are struggling with, we can list reasons why we are doing it and why we should not be doing it.) Below is an example of such a list in table form. I recommend that you create a clear, type-written version like the one below. Highlight or BOLD the words or phrases that are particularly meaningful to you.
| Reasons to Overcome Sins of Immorality | Reasons to Overcome Sins of Immorality |
| Maintain clear conscience before God and man | To have God’s protection on me and my family |
| Be free from tormenting evil thoughts | So I can lead souls to Christ |
| To be ready for the Judgment Day | So I can live without hypocrisy |
| Be pleasing to Christ | To maintain my creativity |
| To keep my wife and children from the evil one | To maintain my health and my family’s health |
| To avoid quenching or grieving the Spirit | To avoid long, costly setbacks |
| So I can Walk in the Spirit and fellowship with God | Maintain my CONFIDENCE before the Lord |
| To have an exceptional marriage | To avoid the discipline of the Lord |
| To have an exceptional ministry to others | So I can bear much fruit for Christ |
| Material success and prosperity | To be successful in my work |
| NO SHAME | To not be a foolish, stupid man |
| So I have power to fight evil | To not become a dirty old man |
| Maintain my JOY | To enjoy life |
| Maintain my integrity before the Lord | So I can build better relationships |
| To be an example to others | So I can be a Servant of God |
| To maintain genuine zeal in serving Christ | So I can help others as a prayer warrior |
| To become trained in OBEDIENCE to God | So I am not a slave of my flesh |
| So I am not deceived and debased | Because I don’t want to act like those who hate God and rebel against Him |
| To be a useful vessel in His service | God will hear me and answer my prayers |
How is your list coming? Please do this exercise and give it careful thought. Once this page gets typed up, printed out, laminated, kept close to you for easy reference, and referred to daily, you will find that you are gaining inner strength to overcome temptations you were not as able to overcome. Your “why’s” will become much more clear to you, the consequences of failure and rewards for success will become plain, and it will be harder for sin to deceive you.