Magdy Samuel

Chapter 5: 11
 Practical excerpts to overcome temptations

Keep a pure heart
and learn everyday to pray as the singer prayed saying (Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts and see if  there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting). For the wicked way starts from inside you, from your heart and not from in front of you.

Deepen your personal relationship with God
Do not be like Lot who walked with Abraham, or like the believer who walks with other believers but clave to the God of believers. Be God’s friend and not the world’s friend.

Beware of side decisions
Wait upon God’s will for your small and big matters of life. Do not count on God only in the big and important matters, and count on your human mind in matters which you believe are small, for the biggest fire is ignited by a little spark.

Consider the spiritual account
Learn how to sacrifice your materialistic and worldly profits against winning a highly spiritual life, a fellowship with God and with the believers, and a service for the Lord. Do not give preference to Sodom (the world) over Hebron (the fellowship with God) whatever the circumstances are.

Be sensitive to divine dealings
When God extends His hand allowing you to endure in a difficulty, and then He extends His merciful hand and rescue you, learn the lesson and respond to the Divine Grace dealings and return to the Lord Your God.

Prayer

Oh My Lord Jesus
You, who has overcome the world and promised that through You, we can overcome it too,
I come to You Lord, admitting that the world’s temptations and attractions have fooled me.
I come to you repentant asking You to deliver me from the lust of the world.
I have lost much out of my immersion in this world.
Lord, please help me through Your grace to return to You.
Oh Lord, let me overcome the world by my waiting for Your Coming.

 

Magdy Samuel