Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
Living Words Podcast Bonus 1: Escaping the Snare: Overcome Temptation with God's Word
Ever wondered how to tackle the daily struggles of temptation and sin with grace and determination? Let’s explore the roots of temptation and discover powerful strategies for overcoming it, grounded in biblical wisdom. Join me, Charles Vance, as we pause our 52-week devotional on the Gospel of John to delve into the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles—a profound time celebrating when the Messiah became flesh. Together, we'll reflect on how this feast reminds us of our covenant with God and offers us strength in our spiritual walk. Drawing from scriptures like James 1:13-14 and 1 Corinthians 10:13, I’ll share insights on understanding the origins of temptation and the divine escape route God promises, empowering you to face these battles with courage and faith.
My journey to creating the Living Words Podcast was fueled by a deep calling to provide a daily spiritual boost, focusing on genuine connection rather than numbers. Despite receiving limited feedback, I remain committed to delivering God's word with authenticity and perhaps a touch more spontaneity. Reflecting on the motivations behind this podcast, I'll open up about the joys and challenges of this path, always aiming to aid your spiritual journey effectively. We'll wrap up with a heartfelt prayer, inviting guidance and strength to resist temptation, while blessing each listener to walk in wisdom and faith. Let's strengthen our spiritual journey together, one episode at a time.
I'm Charles Vance and this is the Living Words Podcast. We're currently going through a 52-week devotional In His Footsteps, 52 Weeks in the Gospel of John. But this week we're going to take a pause. I'm going to do something a little different. We are entering the Feast of Tabernacles, the cycle of feasts of the Creator. You know the cycle of feasts of the Creator. This is the feast that marks the time when the Messiah came to rescue man and became flesh. As John tells us in his word, the word was with God, the word was God and the word became flesh and dwelt among us or tabernacled among us. This is the time of year that that happened. Today is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, it's the 15th day and it's the Sabbath. So I've got a special program I'm going to do and this is Escaping the Snare how to Defeat Temptation with God's Word.
Speaker 1:This is something that I struggle with every day is the temptation of sin, and it doesn't. You know, sin comes in a lot of different shapes, sizes and colors. It literally means miss the mark. So we're all trying to walk in newness of life and, dedicated to the scriptures and to the way of the master. We want to walk in his ways. We're going to walk with Elohim. We've covenanted with him. We're going to pitch in his ways. We're going to walk with Elohim. We've covenanted with him. We're going to pitch our tent with him. He's pitching our tent with us. We're going to do his things.
Speaker 1:This is what goes all the way back to the 12 tribes, when they came out of Egypt. Anybody was accepted, anybody could come to the mountain to receive the word. It wasn't just Jews, it wasn't just Judah. It was Judah, it was Benjamin, it was Ephraim, it was, you know, manasseh. It was all of those parts of the tribe, the 12 tribes, all the kindred tribes, and then the sojourner. So the sojourner covers everyone. So these smart Egyptians who decided to get out of Egypt because they saw what was coming, they went with the Israelites, they were accepted. All they had to do was follow the way, and that's what we're all trying to do follow the way.
Speaker 1:And when we miss the mark, when we fail, for whatever reason and it's more than just your deeds this is what Jesus, yeshua, taught us when he was here. He said that if you have looked upon another woman, if you're a man and you look upon another woman, as you know, in with lust in your heart. You've committed adultery if you're married. You've committed fornication if you're not. But sin is in the heart, the heart. So the intention of the sin happens long before the deed. Now that's what we're trying, then, to do, is we're all trying to overcome the temptations to do wrong things, and so sin could be being mean and hurtful to somebody you know. It's anything that you know to be good and you don't do it. That's sin at its very organic, atomic level. So this is a guide for overcoming temptation, because temptation is what leads us to sin usually. So this is how to defeat temptation with God's Word.
Speaker 1:First, understanding temptation. In James 1, 13-14, let no one say, when he is tempted, I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone, but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Here's a reflection Recognize that temptation originates from our desires, not from God. Acknowledging this can help take responsibility for resisting temptation. All right. So what does that say? That means that first we need to understand what is temptation. Where does it come from? Is it coming from God? Of course not. Is it coming from the devil. Yeah, you bet, sometimes fiery darts fires a thought that you get into your head that it's like where the hell did that come from? That's not who I am. These things happen and that's a fiery dart from the enemy. And so when that is, but what happens? There is that thought, then you, you, you entertain it and it gives rise to the From our own desire, the source of sin. Okay, so it's desire. So it's not from Satan himself, it's just that he entices you.
Speaker 1:So, number two, relying on God's strength. So in 1 Corinthians, 10, 13, no temptation is overtaken. You, except as such is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able, but with the temptation, will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it. So God promises that every temptation will have a way out. Trust in his faithfulness and look for the escape he provides. So when you're tempted, when you have a desire that you know is wrong, then you look for the door, because God is going to give you one. You look for the way out. All right, do I flee? Do I just keep my head down? Do I turn on the music? Change the subject. Read a book. Whatever you feel like you need to do at that moment to resist, do it. Next, we're going to use God's number three.
Speaker 1:Use God's word as a defense Matthew 4.4,. But he answered and said it is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Jesus used scripture to combat Satan's temptations. Memorize and meditate on the word to strengthen your resolve and use it as a weapon in spiritual battles. So when one of those fiery darts comes into your mind, you have word to overcome it. You know Satan, hasatan the enemy, was tempting our Lord by saying look, just turn this stone into bread. You're hungry, you're starving, you need to eat. Pleasure yourself. Yeshua says no, it is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. He tempted him in a lot of other ways. You know he took him up on a high place and said I'll give you the whole world. All you got to do is bow down and worship me. And again Yeshua answered in, it is written. It is written. So.
Speaker 1:Number four so let's reflect. Okay, so understanding temptation number one. Relying on. Let's reflect. Okay, so, understanding temptation. Number one, relying on God's strength. Number two, using God's word as a defense. Number three and now number four, praying for protection. Matthew 26, 41,.
Speaker 1:Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit, indeed, is willing, but the flesh is weak. Prayer is essential in fighting flesh is weak. Prayer is essential in fighting temptation. Acknowledge your weakness and ask God for the strength and vigilance needed to resist. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. This goes back to Paul in Romans. It talks about, basically, the two big dogs the dark and the light. You know, you want to focus on the good, you want to focus on what you want. You want to focus on the spirit, walking in the spirit, understanding that your flesh has been put to death in the cross.
Speaker 1:Number five guarding your heart and mind. In Philippians 4.8,. Finally, brethren, whatever things there are that are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good, report if there's any virtue, if there's anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Focus on thoughts that align with God's values. What you dwell on in your mind can either strengthen or weaken your resistance to temptation. Don't be a gossip. Try not to be negative. Try not to surround yourself with negative people. Try not to criticize others too much. Be more kind. Be more understanding. Be more quiet. If you're nagging and harping, just shut up, listen. Try to focus on things that are good. Don't find the bad, find the good, find the silver lining. What in the world could possibly be good about this situation?
Speaker 1:Number six submitting to God and resisting the devil. James 4, 7,. Therefore, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Resisting temptation requires both submission to God's authority and active resistance against the enemy's influence. When you draw near to God, he draws near to you. So just focus on the word submit to God and always resist the devil.
Speaker 1:You know when something's coming in at you, especially if it's like a fiery dart in your mind that shows up and you know that's not anything you would think. I mean it's like we all have them. They're impulses Like stick your hand on the hot stove, you know, run out in front of that car. These are stupid impulses and I'm sure there's a perfectly sane and reasonable and cogent understanding from psychology or whatever. But we all have them. But sometimes they're more directed toward a particular situation and those are the ones that we need to resist and recognize.
Speaker 1:So number seven is confession and accountability. 1 John 1.9,. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When you stumble, don't stay in guilt. Confess to God and seek forgiveness. Consider finding a trusted person to keep you accountable in areas where you struggle. So sometimes community is required. You know this is what Alcoholics Anonymous is all about. Aa, you know, it's being accountable, admitting what the problem is and then taking steps for a lifelong resolution. Because once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, addictive personalities and these addictions, once they've entrapped you, they own you. So we can overcome addiction just by overcoming temptation, because temptation is a threshold to addiction, just like sin is a threshold to death.
Speaker 1:So let's go with number eight walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5.16,. I say then, walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Daily communion with the Holy Spirit enables you to live according to God's desires, making it easier to resist the pull of the flesh. What you dwell on, what you think about, what you walk into in your life, is what becomes stronger. So walk into the word, walk into spirit, walk into holiness. Dedication, following his ways you know. Keep his Sabbath follow. Look at the 10 commandments. That's the basic place we should go as as a guide as to what we're supposed to be doing. The Ten Commandments you know don't be idolatrous, don't be hateful, because hate in your heart is murder and again it goes back to pure intention. So walk in the Spirit.
Speaker 1:Number nine focus on the reward. Hebrews 12, 1-2. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance that race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus and eternal reward awaits you. Remembering the joy set before you can motivate you to endure trials and resist temporary pleasures, though sin, which so easily besets us and ensnares us. And this is a guide how to defeat and how to escape the snare.
Speaker 1:Number one understand temptation. Number two rely on God's strength. Number three use God's word as a defense. Number four pray for protection, pray, watch and pray. Guard your heart and mind. Look at the good things in life, think about what's lovely, noble, submit to God and resist the devil. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Look for that door. Confession and accountability. Number seven Confess your sin and he will forgive you. Walk in the Spirit. If you walk in the Spirit, you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. Focus on the reward. He, the Messiah, jesus, yeshua. He is the author of your faith and, more importantly, he's the finisher of your faith. That means it's cradle to grave. That means he takes you and he keeps you. He said that not one of those who was given to me I have lost, but only Judas, the son of perdition, who allowed Satan to enter his heart and betray Now that I'll resume next week maybe. I mean honestly.
Speaker 1:I didn't do this to see how many people I could get to listen to my podcast. I did this because I felt it on the heart to do it and I curated this devotional. This devotional is meant to give a daily dose, a brief daily dose. I know we're busy, don't always have time, but you can always take 10-15 minutes to listen to God's word and to see if you can find places in there where it can help you with your daily walk. But I haven't had a lot of response. There are a few people listening and that's okay, but I haven't had a lot of response. You know there are a few people listening, and that's okay. Like I said, I don't care if nobody listens, but I'm looking. Also, I want to make sure that I'm attended to the Word of God. I don't want to be putting something out there that absolutely has no interest. Nobody cares, nobody wants to know, or is it just so bad that nobody wants? I don't know. I just think that maybe people don't like being read to, and I do a fair amount of just reading through the devotional. So maybe I need to be more spontaneous and I'll work on that. That's what I'm trying to be right here now with this, and I hope this guide is helpful. I'll be using it.
Speaker 1:Escaping the Snare those are the nine steps to escaping the snare, so I'm going to end in prayer. Father God, thank you for your mercy, thank you for your beautiful Sabbath that you've given us to walk in your ways, to hear your words, that we can look unto you, the author and finisher of our faith, to overcome temptation, to walk in the Spirit. We praise you. We pray for each and every person that's listening right now that they'll have those words in their heart from you, that they'll recognize and know what to do with temptation. In Yeshua's name, we pray this Amen.
