as a christian, how do you avoid temptations that would lead to self destructive behavior?

Answer 1

Prayer and I remove myself from the temptations.

Answer 2

We have to remember, there is no sin in being tempted. If that were true, Jesus would not have spent time in the desert to be tempted.

We are always presented with temptation. That is when we must pray and ask the Lord for strength, especially if it is a very appealing temptation.

The wrongdoing is when we take what we are seeing or thinking about and carry it out. It says in scripture that temptation can give birth to desire and desire can give birth to sin. There is a progression - so, we need to nip it at the first stage.

It also says, "Resist the devil and he must flee". It is kind of like Mrs. Reagans, "Just say no!" campaign. We refuse what we are offered by the devil, he will stop - he won't quit altogether, but he has no way of forcing our will and he knows that. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the devil has no authority whatsoever. It is also written, "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." By the strength of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome temptation.

It does say in scripture that if your eye or hand causes you to sin, cut it out. That means that if you have a situation which always brings you to that point or hang out with people who encourage your sin, you have to change your situation.

Answer 3

James 1:14 says that epithumia draws us out or drags us away. Epithumia means turning about sudden periods of rage or passion that are maddening like wine.

This is how I see it. Myth and philosophy are the enemies (Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4). They are like the dragnet of Habakkuk 1. Satan holds families in his hand tightly this way. See pleonekteo of 2 Corinthians 2:11 and kosmokrator of Ephesians 6:12. If you buy into these ways of thinking by accepting the ideas of many teachers about how to explain your sins away, you will not see the bigger picture. If you get angry about this or that justifiable upset, you will miss the point where you have probably been worse done by than any amount of convenient teachers will let you know about. The only way to achieve justification of one's personal interests is by committing your way to the Lord. (Psalms 37:5, 6) This means crucifying your passions and desires in Christ. (Galatians 5:24) Passions is pathema, which means "inner afflictions or sufferings." Desires is epithumia.

There is a specific injunction against self-cutting in Philippians 3:2, although it does say "men." Verse 3 says to put no confidence in the flesh. Verse 9 talks about faith in Christ. 1 Timothy 1:4 says that faith is the opposite of myth and endless genealogy. In fact, Paul had excellent pedigree according to Philippians 3:4, 5 but that wasn't his reason for boasting.

Answer 4

Prayer, first of all. Second, I try to have a regular personal Bible reading and study program. And I like to share my beliefs with others, so this motivates me to practice what I preach so as not to be a hypocrite. I try to stay busy with positive, meaningful activities so as to avoid the temptation that often comes with idle time.

Answer 5

Most of the time I'm prompted with scripture which helps me to avoid the temptation. Then I can stay away from it.

Answer 6

Pray for strength. Psalm: 23 lead me not into temptation .surround yourself with people who will be able to help and support you in your christian walk.

Answer 7

True salvation, the presence of the Holy Spirit, will cause us to no longer be a slave to sin. that doesn't mean we're not going to sin. it does mean that we have the power (which is the Holy Spirit) to resist temptation

Answer 8

Constantly pray for guidance and strength and find something positive that you enjoy to occupy that spare time you were using for the destructive behaviors.

Answer 9

As I am someone who has been to the bottom of the barrel in my life. When Jesus saved me. I learned to keep myself from going back by keeping myself well exposed to good things. Read the bible and books of inspiration start listening to good gospel music all the time. I like to watch Bill Gaither videos they are inspiring and comfort to me. Im telling you from my own experience to try and stay clear of things that tempt you. When God sees that you are trying he will remove the desires eventually. He did it for me

Answer 10

They call that avoiding the near occasion of sin. If you know that if you go to a bar you will probably get drunk and go home with someone and have premarital sex then you should not go out to bars. Pretty simple.