Resisting Temptation

I'm reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Ë Kempis.

In Book 1, chapter 13, there is a chapter on resisting temptation. I'd like to review it here.

SO LONG as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation. Whence it is written in Job: "The life of man upon earth is a warfare." Everyone, therefore, must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer lest the devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. No one is so perfect or so holy but he is sometimes tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation.

Some things I am tempted by; overeating, anger, laziness, not honoring authority. I think they all boil down to pride don't they? But overeating is one that I'm focusing on this year. Trying to defeat this vice. I would like to be able to say "Once and for all!" Ü So -- it's spiritual warfare, I'll agree with that.

Some so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us -- in sin we were born. When one temptation or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lost the state of original blessedness.

Temptations are useful. The more weights you life while exercising the stronger the muscles will get. So the more one would use the muscle of resisting temptation, would that muscle become stronger as well? Strengthening our walk with God. Drawing us near. Walking in the LIGHT.

Try to escape temptations, only to fall more deeply. We cannot conquer simply by fleeing, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than our enemies. The man who only shuns temptations outwardly and does not uproot the evil will make little progress; indeed they will quickly return, more violent than before.

from temptation then tackle it. There Running away from the temptation. I guess fleeing temptation is a temporary fix. In order to really remedy the situation, we must meet it head on. That is so hard for me. I'm a runner... well -- not physically -- I wouldn't be obese, if it were physical. But emotionally. True humility. Get to the root of the issue. Why am I over eating? When I'm losing weight, I'm eating less at the dinner table, but I'm also not snacking all day long. Were this becomes sin for me is where I 'hear' the prompting of the Holy Spirit, but I don't heed it. I hear -- "Oh I should wait... It's almost supper time." But instead I open the cupboard and grab a handful of goldfish, even though I'm not hungry. Now for the normal average sort of person -- that would not be sin. But for someone who is battling the bulge, and trying to lose weight, trying to master self-control... that would be sin.

Little by little, in patience and long-suffering you will overcome them, by the help of God rather than by severity and your own rash ways. Often take counsel when tempted; and do not be harsh on others who are tempted, but console them as you yourself would wish to be consoled.

Severity and our own rash ways are counting this and that to me. Demanding childrne to clean their plate, unless they are being a naughty child are counting this and that for me. Cutting out carbs, adding in "free" things. Those are rash ways. Eating normal, what ever is served is my goal. I want to sit down to the dinner, eat until I'm full and stop eating.LOL.
Then there is the do not be harsh with others who are tempted. Oooo... This is a big one for me. Usually -- if there is the sin in my life, then that is where I'm judging others more harshly. Obese people -- they get no sympathy from me. I just came to a realization these past few weeks, that I may be wrong. (WHAT??? Can that be?) I had to take an antibiotic for an infection (yes another UTI). It was a very strong sort, and one of the side affects were hyperglycemic symptoms. Boy did I ever eat. If I wasn't eating, I was either way high or way long. Napping and eating... that was my norm for 7 days. I gained... I really did. I gained proably about 7 pounds. So... that being said... there are folks who are on meds that are hyperglycemic. Do they carry around signs saying, "My medicine makes me fat?" NO... BUT -- I still believe that an overwhelming majority of us are obese, because we lack the self control we need in order to NOT be fat!

The beginning of all temptation lies a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are.

Like the waves of the sea... James.

Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.

So for me -- that would be the very first, "Hmmm... what's in here that I can munch on." I need to stop it before I open the cupboard door. Not even take a step over there. Don't even take ahold of the fridge handle.

S

omeone has said very aptly: "Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength." First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.

OK -- I was not fat as a child. So for me... this didn't start then and blossom as I got older. I believe that I gained momentum with each kid that I bore. I gained 10 pounds while nursing each kidlet. Which I wouldn't lose before I got pregnant with the next one. I don't this I realized that until it was too late. Now I'm not nursing or pregnant, I'm really working in this issue now.

BUT -- what habits, or vices do I need to watch out for with my children. I've often told them, "As a child, you will be as an adult." These small things will become permanent then, and that isn't always good.

Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others toward the end, while some are troubled almost constantly throughout their life. Others, again, are tempted but lightly according to the wisdom and justice of Divine Providence Who weighs the status and merit of each and prepares all for the salvation of His elect.

I'll let you know when we get to heaven -- where my most temptations were.

We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit.
In temptations and trials the progress of a man is measured; in them opportunity for merit and virtue is made more manifest.

Here is the fix: 1. Pray to God more fervently. 2. Humble our souls. So there -- I was right... it is a pride issue for me.

When a man is not troubled it is not hard for him to be fervent and devout, but if he bears up patiently in time of adversity, there is hope for great progress.

So it comes down to this again... temptation may cause growth, if handled properly.

Some, guarded against great temptations, are frequently overcome by small ones in order that, humbled by their weakness in small trials, they may not presume on their own strength in great ones.

I'm learning how to react to great temptations. Ohh... I get it. ;)

This is a great little book. It can be found at as a down load from e-sword.

I pray that your walk with the Lord will be an encouragement to those around you.

Jennifer