Comments on: How to help someone overcome temptation

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:50:52 +0000

Thank you, Helen. It seems like everything out there can stumble us (or at least me). The company and support of friends, though, is stronger in overcoming temptation than careful habits (1 Corinthians 15:33).

I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment here.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:23:15 +0000

Very good. There is much out there to help us stumble. Focusing on supporting each other is a most excellent idea.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Katdish,

Yes, it’s easy for me to start making excuses too. And I like what you said about allowing God to do the redeeming work, instead of trying to become everyone’s savior. We can (and should) only set the table and let God take care of the intimate romance.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:47:35 +0000

Joyce,

Thank you for your encouragement. I agree with you on loving #3 and #4, but I’m slightly biased. :>)

Thanks for reading and commenting.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:46:53 +0000

Jeff,

Your comment reminded me of 1 Corinthians 10:11…

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Not only does God give us the strength to resist but keeps those temptation from us that we can’t resist.

Thank you for contributing to this post.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: katdish

katdish — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:14:52 +0000

These were all great, but I especially love #6. I think we get hung up on the whole “not causing someone to stumble” thing that we use it as an excuse not to love people right where they are. When people feel love without judgement, it gives them freedom to allow Christ to do the redeeming work in their lives, which is His job, not ours.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:44:52 +0000

I just loved this. So completely practical and useful. I love #3 and #4 especially…sometimes we forget that we already have a defense when faced with tempatation. Great post!

By: Jeff Holton

Jeff Holton — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:50:52 +0000

Oh, I KNOW these steps. I KNOW them! I know them empirically and I know them philosophically.

But I keep getting tripped up on one of them. I get to step four and I think, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly do THAT! It’d be hypocritical, and I can’t be a hypocrite.”

And that, of course, keeps me from getting to step 5, and so on. Much easier to go back to step zero, screw up again, and restart the process.

And so I’ll risk the hypocrisy just this once (since your post is giving me the freedom to do so) and just let everyone know: you don’t HAVE to sin. You are ALLOWED to say no. Even IF Calvin was right! Jesus STILL gives us the strength to resist temptations and evil desires.

Phew. Now I can go do #5 now. THANK YOU!

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:47:56 +0000

You’re welcome. Thank you for hosting the carnival. It’s pushing me to write about things I might not write about otherwise.

The prayer one is difficult for me too, especially initiating it before someone’s even asked for it. As much as I want to be a Christian, asking to pray for someone can seem so cliche Christian. That’s a problem, though, because it keeps our best stuff on reserve. God’s like, “No, come on – ask. Please. I want to talk to you.”

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:44:11 +0000

Thank you much, Glynn. I’m so thankful I’m able to share and that it actually comes out as straightforward, practical, and heartfelt. There’s a Jupiter of difference between what I want to write and what readers actually get out of it. It’s an encouragement, though, to hear it’s helping others.

-Marshall Jones Jr.