Tag: Resist

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Jesus lived A Sinless Life

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w3d1

Scripture for and Observation of the Journey

Read: Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 2:21-25/SOAP: Hebrews 4:15 and 1 Peter 2:22

15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

Our focus this week comes in the form of a question: What did Jesus Do? We will explore five different answers throughout the week, the first of which is – He lived a sinless life. This truth can be said of no one else, nor can anyone claim it about themselves without making themselves out to be a liar or lacking in understanding of the truth of the Gospel,1 for we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8

If we have chosen to follow Jesus, then friends, we have chosen to strive to live an exemplary life. That life can only be well lived when it is lived by the power of His Spirit within us. The Spirit that Jesus told His early disciples would be their advocate, live within them, teach them everything, and remind them of everything Jesus had told them.

Paul speaks of the Spirit to the people of Galatia, teaching them to live by the Spirit so that they will not gratify the desires of the flesh. To the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” – This brings us full circle to the second passage from today’s journey, where Peter makes it clear to his readers that no deceit was found in the mouth of our Savior.

Jesus’ sinless life serves as a powerful example for us. While we will never achieve sinlessness on this side of heaven., His example shows us the importance of striving for holiness and relying on God’s strength to resist temptation. Jesus’ life reminds us that we are not alone in this journey but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to guide us and daily work in us to become more like Christ.

Love God Greatly, Love God Greatly, Firm Foundation, p93

Do you want to live and love like Jesus? Take a cue from His exemplary life, strive for holiness, and rely on God’s strength. When you are tempted in any way – do not give in to sin, and – let no deceit be found in your mouth. Sound impossible or too difficult? Remember these words of Paul: “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, God will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The More We Know
For more insight into today’s journey read today’s LGG Blog Post
Do you want to know more about Jesus and His sinless life?
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

Just Say No

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w4d3

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9 and SOAP: vs 8-9

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NET

If you’ve ever been drunk or have watched someone who was, you understand that when we aren’t “sober,” we cannot and will not be alert. This, of course, is one of the reasons for the slogan: “Don’t drink and drive.” A slogan that became popular in the early eighties and still bears weight today because of the tragedies caused by drunk drivers. Do not be fooled; alcohol can and will impair your senses and, thereby, your judgment.

Peter’s words are an eye-opening reminder that physical suffering and/or persecution are not the only dangers we face as believers. “Our enemy, the devil” is the real and present threat to every believer.

The same can be said of life. We can become so caught up in the day-to-day cares and/or pleasures of life that our physical and spiritual senses are dulled. This makes us easy prey for the enemy, which is exactly what he’s counting on and persistently waiting for. Rest assured, just as he tried to distract Jesus in the wilderness – the devil will look for ways to distract us.

The only way to survive his attacks is to be not just clear-minded but alert, spiritually speaking – this means having our eyes on God and our minds armed with His Word, the Christian’s only sure weapon of defense.

The explanation of this verse (8), by Bibleref.com is quite sobering: “Our enemy, the devil, desires to devour us, to cause real and lasting harm. The Greek word here is Katapiein, literally meaning to “swallow,” or to “drown.” Peter has made it clear that our place in eternity with our Father is secure. The devil cannot take that from us, but he does seek to damage our faith. He wants fear to shake our submission to the Father, and lies to distort our understanding of God’s goodness. Since he cannot touch the believer’s soul, Satan seeks to leave us as weak and ineffective servants of our King.”

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Life can offer us some wonderful pleasures – from family and friends and breathtaking experiences. It can also offer us responsibilities, challenges, and hardships that make us grow weak and weary. The question is, how do we avoid being intoxicated by the pleasures of this life or under the influence of fears and doubts when life overwhelms us? Whatever strategy Satan uses, Bibleref.com suggests that “the plan for standing strong in our faith is the same.” – Peter lays it out nicely: In addition to being sober and alert, we are to resist the devil and be strong in our faith. This means we will need to …

  • Trust God more …
    • more than Satan’s lies –
    • more than what you think looks best –
    • and more than you did ‘yesterday’.
  • Increase your reliance on God. Satan’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy, and the only way he can do that is to weaken the believer’s confidence in God, just as he did with Eve in the garden, asking her: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”. Our dependence on God grows deeper as we plant our roots in Him – the more time we spend with Him in prayer and in His Word – the deeper and stronger the roots grow.
    • True reliance on God involves your whole being and becomes not just a way of thinking but a way of life that stems from your faith and knowledge of God.
  • Resist the devil are the words used in Peter’s last step. However, we would be wise to understand that saying no to the devil, first requires a resounding, unwavering YES to God. Say YES to God’s authority over everyone elses’, YES to His will over yours, YES to His desire over yours, YES to His wisdom and purpose over yours. … an unequivocal YES to God will secure a sure and unwavering NO to the devil.
    • Knowing God’s Word is the best weapon of warfare to use on the enemy.
Question FOR THE JOURNEY

What specific Scripture can you memorize this week to arm yourself for the inevitable attacks of the enemy?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy Your children. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Help us to be self-controlled and alert so that we do not get caught up in his web of deceit and cunning ways. Help us to be like Jesus and use Your Word as a weapon when we are tempted. Help the roots of our faith grow deeper and deeper so that we are able to stand strong and resist the devil’s tactics. Remind us that satan has no authority over us and help us to boldly and faithfully ‘just say no! – In the name of Jesus – amen!

THE MORE WE KNOW

For more insight check out today’s blog post at lovegodgreatly.com