What’s Your Emergency Strategy for Temptation?

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

What's Your Emergency Strategy for Temptation? By Rick Warren — Jun 3, 2017 “Run from all these evil things” (1 Timothy 6:11b NLT). We talked about temptation just a few weeks ago, but I want to continue that lesson today. We need an emergency strategy for when we face temptation. The Bible says we need to move quickly out of any situation that causes us temptation. That means we develop preventative strategies to keep us from being tempted. And we also need emergency strategies — a panic button — for when we’re tempted in an unexpected situation. For example, if you’re in front of the television and suddenly a temptation comes along, what do you do? The Bible says you run. In 1 Timothy 6:11b we’re told, “Run from all these evil things” (NLT). You have to get away. It could be a temptation to cheat in business. It could be a sexual temptation. But your response should be the same: get out. Never argue with a temptation. You’ll always lose. Emotions will take over, and emotions aren’t logical. Years ago when I was a youth minister, I’d tell kids, “Don’t decide in the back seat of a car that you’re going to be sexually pure and save yourself for marriage.” You must decide you’re going to be morally pure long before then. If you end up in the back seat of a car, you’re going to move by your glands, not your plans. Hormones will kick in and you’ll be overwhelmed. Please, take time today to make an emergency plan for when you’re tempted. Don’t resist temptation. Replace it. Run. Turn the channel. Get out of the situation. That’s the simplest way out. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over: Describe your emergency strategy for a temptation with which you struggle. What situations do you need to avoid to stay away from temptation?

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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