July 2
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Here is a list of specific things that we can cry out to God to help us with in the midst of our temptation:
WHENEVER YOU ARE TEMPTED, CRY OUT TO GOD FOR:
- The way of escape, deliverance from evil
- Eternal perspective
- Great faith to believe that overcoming is possible in Jesus
- A much stronger desire for holiness and not sinning than for sin
- A clear idea of the glory and rewards awaiting those who overcome
- A love for the Lord that is far greater than my love for sin
- A love for the persons my sin would be directed toward
- A reminder of all the great purposes I will be prevented from fulfilling if I succumb to sin
- My goals to be achieved, short term and long term, as I am victorious
- Salvation for people that need to come to Christ
- To see sin as God sees it, to see evil as evil
- Hatred for sin and the things God hates
- Unmasking the deception; make it clear what really is going on
- A reminder of all the evil that may be loosed in my life and the lives of others if I choose to sin
- Encouragement during times of loneliness and despair
- Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
- Great joy and peace
- Healthy fear of God
- Ability to help and minister to others
- Special grace to overcome
- Resolve with no double-mindedness
- Abundant life
- Hope in my circumstances
- Desire for sin to be removed
- Self-control
- Great destruction of Satan’s strongholds
- Great reward in heaven on earth if I successfully overcome
- Tangible progress in difficult issues in my life as a result of overcoming
- Power in the inner man
- Wisdom and insight
- And anything else that I know will help me overcome temptation
With all of these things received as a result of overcoming, who would ever want to sin? What benefits can sin provide that could come anywhere near to these blessings? The outcome of sin is only regret, shame, defeat, loss, and death. We just have to remember to ask for these things and believe that we will receive them!