1 Peter 58 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
To be sober means to “Be serious.” To be serious means we focus on triggers 24 hours per day. We are ready for the triggers to happen. We are 100% prepared to do an alternate activity when the triggers happen.
What are your two alternate activities?
1.________________
2.________________
Remember, your alternate activities are not for fun. They are your work to help you quit. Start doing them instantly when triggered. Start praying instantly while doing them.
A person quitting a habit will not have great fun playing Monopoly as an alternative activity. But if they look at it as their work, as their chance to pray, as a key to quitting… now Monopoly, plus Jesus is this great solution. It will still not be fun, but it will become this great solution because you are being serious about being sober and vigilant.
Second, to be sober means to be sensible. As you start your alternative activity, consider saying 10 times:
“I will think long-term. This activity will help me escape slavery.”
Third, these things obviously work until they don’t. When you are overwhelmed, you can turn to specific scripture and study and pray over it. That works. Then, you can go back to these solutions that fight normal temptation.
Fourth, being sober means to be solemn. Why are you quitting? State your reason for quitting as often as possible. Then… state that “God is watching everything you do,” as often as possible. Consider saying:
“God has something better and more important for me to do.” Often.
Finally, in what two ways will you be more serious, and solemn about quitting?
1.______________
2.______________
As always, feel free to print this out for your own personal or church use.
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