Pray often before temptation. Pray during temptation. If temptation overwhelms, run to scripture. Consider praying constantly:
“Father, help me to turn from temptation.”
Second, I will focus on studying the fruits of the Spirit this week. Today I am printing out the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
This month I will be praying over each of the fruits of the Spirit. Reading each fruit, then praying: “Father, fill me with Your love.” “Father, fill me with Your joy.” “Father, fill me with Your self-control etc.”
Praying over the fruits of the Spirit is wise because it allows the Spirit to fill you and help you.
There are always two parts to quitting. What you stop doing, and what you start doing. Plus, if what you start doing involves scripture… that is a real home run.
Third, you can use this powerful verse for fighting temptation. With every temptation, read this verse, then pray over each fruit. You might say: “I will be doing that 189 times if I do it with every temptation.”
That would be so great: 189 prayers for increasing love, 189 prayers for increasing in joy, 189 prayers for increasing peace, toughness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Fourth, Biblical Paul was not great because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was great because… If he had bad habits, this is exactly the kind of thing he would do to pound bad habits out while pounding in great Biblical things. Doing this follows Jesus’ example for fighting temptation.
As always, feel free to print this out for your own personal use, or for church use.
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