Updated: Apr 21, 2021
The following are tips that I have used to fight sin and temptation in my life. There is no particular order, nor are these laws. My prayer is that instead of legalism, this would bring our hearts to desire Spirit-filled and Spirit-led discipline as we pursue the higher pleasures of walking in our freedom (Bought and paid for my Jesus) as well as witnessing of His love with a clear conscience.
-Jamie Desrameaux
Check out my Youtube Video on this same topic!
Step 1: Acknowledge you have sinned or that you are tempted to. Confess and Repent.
Lord help me to acknowledge that I have sinned against you. That this breaks your heart. You hate sin because it separates us from you. You sent your Son, that I would be Free! I confess that I have fallen short.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 Jn 1:9
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James
5:16
Step 2: Recognize, it is only by the Power of the Holy Spirit that you will WALK in your freedom.
Say this out loud with your lips, it doesn't have to verbatim, but say something along those lines. Express to God how much you need Him. Here is where we humble ourselves and allow the Lord to be our strength.
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts
4:12
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John
8:36
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
1 Corinthians 10: 13
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8: 26-27
Step 3: Flee!
Physically get up and change locations. Change the focus of your mind to God and His Glory.
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs
4:23
"Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." 2 Timothy
2:22
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:14
Step 4: Read and pray- the Bible
Before you are tempted, take the time out to find scripture that will help you in those hard moments. Stop right now and find at least 5, write them on index cards and/or your phone. Continue to add to this box. Keep a box or envelope near for when you are tempted and in need of truth.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." John 15: 7-8
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Step 5: Call a sister/brother in Christ- to confess any impure thoughts or actions and pray for healing on the spot!
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 Jn 1:9
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James
5:16
