5 ways to resist temptation
In a world where temptation surrounds us, it is
difficult to avoid. It often sneaks up on us when
we aren’t even looking. For those who want to
kick temptation to the curb, here are five
suggestions.
In a world where temptation surrounds us, it is
difficult to avoid. It often sneaks up on us when
we aren’t even looking. I’m not necessarily talking
about the big temptations, like stealing or
cheating on your spouse. I am talking about the
everyday temptations that work their way into
our homes and our lives and take up residence
there. They cruelly taunt us to ride their
slippery slope further and further away from
what we know is right. For those who want to
kick temptation to the curb, here are five
suggestions.
Know your weaknesses. We all have weaknesses,
and generally, we know what those weaknesses
are. It is a good idea to search yourself, and
your heart, and list the areas where you know
you can get into trouble if temptation finds you.
Be aware of what the temptations are that
trigger your bad behavior and be on alert for
those triggers when you see them.
Have a plan of action. Knowing your weaknesses
is only half the battle. Once you know what your
weaknesses are, make a plan of action. In your
plan, outline what you are going to do if you are
faced with the temptation that brings your bad
behavior. If you need to, go over the scenarios
in your mind of what you are going to say and do
if the temptation comes and commit the plan to
memory. Review your plan often to remind
yourself that you do not need to worry about the
temptation, because you have a plan of action.
For example, when I was trying very hard to lose
weight, obviously food was a big temptation.
Every meal I committed myself to limiting my
portions to only one serving size. I rewarded
myself at the end of the day with one piece of
chocolate if I made it through without giving in
to any other temptation. Many times I was still
hungry after I ate a meal, but because I
committed myself to a plan, I didn’t back down.
The incentive of a piece of chocolate was also a
good motivator. It doesn’t hurt to add positive
incentives to the plan that reward you for good
behavior. That’s what sobriety pins are for. I
have now lost 75 pounds, and I am glad I had a
plan to help me resist temptation.
Avoid the traps. Too many times, we know what
our weaknesses are, but we somehow think that
we will be OK and we place ourselves in a
situation where that particular temptation is all
around us. This is what I like to call a temptation
trap. Do not allow yourself to be caught in a
temptation trap. If you are an alcoholic, stay out
of bars, if you are addicted to pornography,
keep your computer in a public place, if you’re on
a diet, don’t go to a buffet, if you like a married
co-worker, never allow yourself to be alone
together. Whatever your particular weakness or
challenge is, do not make things more difficult
by putting yourself in a situation where
temptation for that weakness will without a
doubt come a calling. Just don’t do it!
Fill your life with goodness. The world is full of
goodness, and the more goodness you surround
yourself with, the less temptation will find you.
Allow God into your life. Read from good books,
including the scriptures, daily, pray often, serve
others. The more goodness you add to your life,
the greater you will feel the influence of the
Lord’s spirit. His spirit will guide you and direct
you away from the temptations that would
normally destroy you. When the temptations do
come, rather than relying on your own strength,
you will add God's strength to your ability to
withstand any and all temptations.
Learn to forgive yourself. This is one of the
most important suggestions I can give. Often
times, we fall into temptation because we do not
feel that we are capable of anything different.
When we make mistakes, we allow those
mistakes to define us. Not only do we blame
ourselves, but we label ourselves by our
mistakes, sabotaging our own efforts to rid
ourselves from our past and making it nearly
impossible for us to s[truncated by WhatsApp]
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