When Temptation Calls, Just Hang Up

Current Teaching Series Growing in the Seasons of Life

When Temptation Calls, Just Hang Up By Rick Warren — 09/03/2024 "A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless." Proverbs 14:16 (NASB) It's common sense that if you don't want to get stung, stay away from the bees! If you don't want to get burned, don't get close to the fire! If you don't want to fall off the cliff, don't hang off the ledge! The goal is not to see how close you can get to temptation but rather how far away from it you can stay. Proverbs 14:16 says, "A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless" (NASB). You might think you can handle temptation, but who are you kidding? You need to do a frank assessment. You need to analyze when and where you are most tempted and vulnerable. Then you need to stay away from those situations as much as you can. The Bible says to run from temptation: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws" (Psalm 119:59 NLT). If you have to physically remove yourself, do it! When Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph, she grabbed his cloak, so he left it behind as he ran out of the house. The point is, get out of the situation. Run from the temptation. Don't stick around. When you're tempted, change the channel. Turn on music. Go for a walk. Read the Bible. Call a Christian friend. Do something to break the spell. Here is what won't work: Don't ever try to argue with the devil. You'll lose every time. He's had thousands of years to think up counter arguments to anything you may say. Don't rationalize it. Don't justify it. Don't argue it. The key is to break the focus. Don't stare at the cookies and repeat, "I don't want them! I don't want them!" Turn around! The more you try to fight a feeling, the more it grows in intensity. When temptation calls, don't try to argue. Just hang up and go do something else. PLAY today's audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Where or when are you most tempted? On business trips? At home when you're alone and the kids are at school? During the weekend? When you're watching TV? What changes do you need to make in your schedule or lifestyle to minimize your exposure to these situations? What strategies can help you "hang up on" temptation if you're unable to easily escape one of those situations? The post When Temptation Calls, Just Hang Up appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

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Series Summary Message 1: Understanding the Seasons of Life Message 2: The Season of Loneliness Message 3: The Season of Loss Message 4: The Season of Parenting Message 5: The Season of Financial Stress Message 6: The Season of Temptation Message 7: How to Reconcile a Relationship PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick's daily audio teaching at PastorRick.com Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America's largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com. © 2024 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

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