Temptation Is Always a Battle Between Now and Later

Current Teaching Series A Toolbox For Life: Skills You Need to Succeed

Temptation Is Always a Battle Between Now and Later By Rick Warren — May 28, 2017 “For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 GNT). We rarely evaluate our values or question our perceptions until we have a crisis. Once we’re in deep pain, we begin to examine what we’re basing our lives upon. Whether it’s materialism, feeling good, or looking good, we instinctively realize there has to be more. That’s why it’s so critical that we ask ourselves — before we’re mired in pain — what’s going to last? Our culture encourages us to do just the opposite. Our society values the here and now. Tomorrow doesn’t matter. Next year doesn’t matter. A thousand years from today doesn’t matter. Eternity and Heaven don’t matter. Live for today. But the Bible says something different in 1 John 2:17: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (NIV). Consider what happens when we’re tempted. Temptation isn’t just a battle between good and bad or what’s best and what’s not best. Temptation is always a battle between now or later. Will I do what God says and enjoy the benefits later, or will I do what I want and enjoy the benefits now? The Bible teaches us to “fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 GNT). PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over: What makes it difficult to keep a long-term, eternal perspective when we deal with temptations? What decisions do you find the most difficult to make while keeping eternity in mind? How can you help others think about long-term consequences as they make decisions?

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Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes four full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series A Toolbox For Life: Skills You Need to Succeed. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Session 1: Ignoring the Naysayers Session 2: Knowing What Matters Most Session 3: Maximizing Your Strengths Session 4: Learning To Be Both Fast and Slow PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe