Spiritual Fitness Self-Defense: Seeing Temptation as a Threat

The 2nd element of the five SemperVerus components, and the resulting 6th element—from the sum total of the previous five elements—are AWARE and SELF-DEFENSE respectively.

Being AWARE means heightening your daily attentiveness to be alert to—and anticipate—dangerous potentialities and temptations, as well as edifying opportunities.
 
Practicing SELF-DEFENSE is the strategic, tactical, and intelligent ability to responsibly protect yourself from menacing spiritual and physical threats.

Notice the inclusion of the spiritual aspect that is often overlooked when considering awareness and self-defense.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Situational Awareness: Spiritual Self-Defense ]

We must not prepare ourselves merely for physical dangers, but also for situations that endanger our moral standing and the strength of our soul; that lead us away from uprightness and down into dishonor. Those situations begin, perhaps innocently enough, with temptation.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Every Small Decision Leads to Winning or Losing in Spiritual Warfare ]

“Your identity is in eternity, and your homeland is heaven. When you grasp this truth, you will stop worrying about ‘having it all’ on earth. God is very blunt about the danger of living for the here and now and adopting the values, priorities, and lifestyles of the world around us. When we flirt with the temptations of this world, God calls it spiritual adultery.” Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life

[ Read the SemperVerus article of Bible verses from the book of Romans that quickly and simply present the Good News that is life through faith in Jesus Christ ]

We must see temptation as the spearpoint threat to our soul that it is and effectively defend ourselves against succumbing to that threat. Temptation is not sin; but, if not nipped in the bud, it leads to acts of sin, which are transgressions against God’s moral code that he established for our healthy living—personal and social. And sin unchecked is the stimulant for evil.

“The glory of Jesus Christ is involved in every temptation by which we are threatened, and for his sake, if not for our own, we must stand firm.” Frederick Brotherton Meyer, Saved and Kept: Counsels to Young Believers

How keen is your spiritual situational awareness? Can you recognize temptation when it confronts you? Are you spiritually fit enough to avoid it?

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Fewer American Adults Are Engaging the Bible ]

Almost all evangelical Protestants (over 99%) believe in the concept of sin. But they differ greatly in how they define exactly what sin is. According to the report, What Is Sin? Evangelical Beliefs and Behaviors by Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concept, some issues are considered sin by the vast majority of evangelicals, including adultery (96%), racism (87%), using pornography (86%), homosexual activity/sex (86%), and antisemitism (84%). (Ask for the report by name when you email Ron Sellers at Grey Matter Research, ron@greymatterresearch.com.)

While the above report says 86% of evangelicals consider viewing pornography a sin, the research report Beyond the Porn Phenomenon by Barna Group in partnership with Pure Desire Ministries says 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women report that they are viewing pornography at least occasionally. The numbers for today’s youngest adults are even worse. But what may be more troubling is that well over half of Christians who use porn say they are comfortable with their porn use (read the BP news article; see the report.)

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness: Top 12 Acts for a Christian ]

    

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness: How Long Does It Take to Read the Bible? ]

The Bible offers a clear picture of what God considers to be sin. For example,

• “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23 (NIV).

• “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV).

• “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV).

See the lists of sins at OpenBible.info.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Situational Awareness: Spiritual Self-Defense ]

Avoiding a potentially threatening situation is the first course of action in self-defense. That applies to immoral temptations as well as physical threats. And avoidance begins with keen situational awareness. Join the SemperVerus Brotherhood and Sisterhood as a way to help yourself avoid temptation and Stay True to what is right!

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“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
 
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of SPIRITUAL FITNESS ]

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