How to Escape Part 1

Sunday March 24, 2013
Speaker:

Text: 1 Cor. 10:13. God wants you to escape temptation. Learn how to get out of what you’re in. Satan wants to isolate you, so he lies to make you think your situation is unique, and you’re the only one experiencing what you are. Temptation can mean to solicit to do evil, but it also means a trial or test. Faith doesn’t mean that you won’t have problems, but that you’ll get through them. So, how do you escape temptation? The #1 way is praise/joy. James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy when you experience trials/temptations.  Your response to a temptation will be your first step out. Joy is a spiritual force and belongs to believers. Neh. 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and it’s there for those who choose it. Temptation reveals that the devil is at work. Whatever is out of line will draw you like a magnet bringing Satan, trying to keep you depressed, etc. What’s the cure? Praise! (Ps. 33:1-2; 33:1; 8:1-2). Hit Satan with praise to God. Stop looking for answers. Praise – that is the answer. Praising God has a mirror effect so that whatever God is, we participate in. Praise is the weapon that shuts up the devil and is our declaration of God’s worthiness. Paul and Silas praised God when they were in prison and were delivered overnight. (Acts 16:22). Give thanks to the Father for He has delivered us and translated us into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:12). Instead of spending your energy fighting, praise! God is faithful. If you have a big problem, magnify God and choose to praise Him.