Article - Living By the Spirit pt 3

Living By the Spirit pt 3

A friend once told me that the secret to losing weight was to eat and drink more! The key is in eating the right foods and drinking lots of water. If we satisfy our appetites with good things we will not keep turning to bad things.

The Bible says something very similar when it comes to overcoming sin. If we focus just on not sinning, the temptation stays right there until it eventually grabs hold of us. If we resist temptation and then turn and pursue good things, that temptation stops being the focus of our thinking and loses its power over us. That’s why when Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:22, he says “Flee the evil desires of youth…” Timothy was a youngish guy who would be tempted by the sorts of desires young guys usually struggle with. But Paul doesn’t leave it there, he goes on to say “… and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Timothy had his own struggles and temptations, like we all do, but not only did he need to resist them, he needed to do what every other Christian needs to do and pursue godliness with pure motives.

I have a real weakness when it comes to resisting the temptation of the bikkie barrel. When I keep a water bottle handy and choose to eat a piece of fruit instead my body benefits! In the same way, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7).

Don’t just try resist temptation – it will always get you in the end. Focus yourself on Jesus – communing with Him and following Him – and He will cause you to stand firm. Instead of the fruit of destruction you will produce life-giving fruit.