Mental Health & Coping

The subject of temptation has been stirring in my spirit so I wanted to share my thoughts on the subject.

Temptation can come in many forms, but for the topic of conversation today, I wanted to discuss the temptation of alcohol consumption.

I will be perfectly honest and ashamedly admit that in years past that part of me that walks in the flesh has fallen short of the Glory of God and allowed the whispers, lies and deceptions that the drinking of alcohol now and then is perfectly fine.

Those deceitful whispers penetrate our minds causing what we believe to be justifiable thoughts that trick us into believing that our excuses are acceptable ones.

Here are some examples of the excuses that you might begin telling yourself.

“It’s okay to only have one drink.”

“What harm will it do if I just let loose and enjoy myself?”

“I’m not hurting anyone. I’m just having a good time.”

No harm, no foul, right!

Wrong!

I firmly believe that at the moment of conversion you became a new creation. A new creation in Christ. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬)

I’m speaking in regards to Christians who think that drinking alcohol is acceptable.

When we allow ourselves to fall prey to the false narratives that drinking alcohol on certain occasions is fine, we are only deceiving ourselves. The truth and reality is the results of alcohol consumption are catastrophic.

If you are truly born again and profess Jesus as Lord, but yet you fall short of that declaration you may assuredly begin to feel an overwhelming conviction of the wrong you just committed. Not only against all that you hold dear about your walk with Jesus, but the disobedience towards God is enough to cause you to feel such unbearable shame, regret, dishonor, and disgrace at your disloyalty to God.

The only thing you know to do is fall down before God on your knees and repent, repent, repent crying, “Lord, please forgive me!”

In the discovery of these harsh realities and truths that come as a result of sin I understand that some may fail. And fail miserably. Some may bend to the veil of temptation. However, some may remain steadfast, unmovable, able to sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting, resisting the temptation to consume alcohol.

‭‭I love what 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13 says:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

‭This verse means that the strength of the temptations we face will be proportionate to the strength God gives us to resist them.

I must profess that I love spending time with my family. Some of whom don’t confess Christianity. And some that do, but may not bear the fruit of their conversion. On those occasions when we do get together to celebrate a certain holiday, birthday, cookouts, etc. are rare and far between.

I want to be a part of their lives. Our families are so important to us and we all know that the family bond keeps us connected and filled with joy, love and togetherness. Family is a vital part of our lives. Where would we be without the love of our families?

I thoroughly enjoy celebrating with my family and I look forward to making memories with them and treasuring all those precious moments we have with one another.

However, in my own personal experience there have been those moments and on particular occasions when I’m made unpleasantly aware that there will be alcoholic beverages offered and consumed at certain family gatherings.

It’s a slippery slope some of us must all face where alcohol is concerned. Do we avoid our family altogether? Or do we try our best to be a part of our families lives, but ever be cautiously aware that we cannot and will not partake in or condone sinful behaviors? Consumption of alcohol being one of those sinful behaviors.

The Word of God emphatically teaches separation from the world, but not isolation. (2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:17

If you choose the latter, as a result of, and in the midst of everyone relaxing, enjoying themselves, and having a good time, you may be faced with and feel that uneasy notion-that temptation will unapologetically bring to the table by being in the presence of others drinking and perceiving what appears to be them just having a little fun. As if getting intoxicated is somehow justified as ‘fun.’

However, at the same time you must realize that getting drunk for the sake of having a good time is never a wise decision.

One moment of what one may call “just having a little fun,” can bring with it dire consequences later.

It’s sinful and should be avoided by all means necessary.

Anything that alters your way of thinking is never going to end in a positive result. Period!

If you don’t know your true identity in Christ this can oftentimes cause unwarranted feelings such as :

Uncomfortable, awkward and somewhat an outcast.

Boring because of your refusal to take part in drinking alcohol.

Feeling indifferent.

Too religious.

Being labeled as a “Holy Roller.”

And the list goes on.

The comparison game begins to fester and you may begin to compare yourself to other friends or family members and instantly you are made to feel like you’re not good enough or that you don’t measure up?

The enemy starts to whisper these lies into your mind and temptation starts to rear its ugly head.

In this disillusionment we have to remind ourselves that we live in a society where many people crave the approval and validation of others.

But where does joining into these false expectations leave us?

Does having that one drink make you feel worthy?

Does partying it up with everyone else fill you with a sense of belonging? Worthiness? Being a part of the crowd?

No, I assure you it does not!

When all is said and done, at the end of the day, our search for approval and validation will only leave us feeling exhausted, unfulfilled, frustrated, unhappy, and worse off we feel as though we have betrayed God and ourselves!

I know in the past I have had to ask myself these hard questions!

And if you’re being truly honest, I’m sure you’ve been there too.

So, what do we do when temptation rears its ugly head.

Let’s look at God’s Word.

Remember, your new & true identity.

Remember who you are in Christ.

Make a decision to walk in your God-given identity!

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here are some verses that might help you to understand your true identity in Christ.

Hallelujah! You have been saved. Saved by the blood. Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 5:24.
You have been forgiven of all sin. (Past, present & future) Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:9; Psalms 103:11-12.
You’ve been reconciled. Which was made possible by what Jesus did at the Cross. 2 Corinthians 5: 18
You are a new creation in Christ. Everything given to us now by Christ is “new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Know that you are heard. Call and pray unto Him. God is listening! Jeremiah 29:12
Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, just as you are. Psalm 139:14
You are blessed! Ephesians 1:3-5
You’re valued! God loves you and handpicked you. Jeremiah 31:3
You are victorious through Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:57
You are loved! God so loved you that He sent His only son Jesus to die for you. John 3:16

Make a declaration to stand boldly upon these truths.

God’s Word does not lie. He does not change. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

Remember His promises!

How can we sustain from temptation when temptation is all around us?

If possible avoid temptation at all cost.

Stay in the Word! Fill your mind and spirit with the Biblical truth.

Pray! Ask God to strengthen your mind, body and spirit.

When placed in a compromising position, remember who you are and whose you are in Christ and remind the enemy that you are no longer a slave to those fleshly desires.

Proclaim the victory that is yours through what Jesus Christ has done for you at Calvary’s Cross.

I promise you the enemy, his lies, his deceptions, his accusations, the temptations will flee. In the name of Jesus’.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that having one drink or only on special occasions is fine or acceptable because it’s absolutely not.

As Christians, the Bible instructs us and we are called to “… come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

As stated, the Word of God emphatically teaches separation from the world, but not isolation.

1 John‬ ‭2:15-17 say this:

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

‭‭‬God wants to do a new thing in your life! He wants to change the way you think about those things that He constitutes as sinful behaviors. It’s time to arise and shine from the untruthful, deceitful, trickery and malicious attacks in which the enemy has kept you. Rise to a new life in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 60:1.

God Bless You.

Love, Tina ~