"Replace"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Replace"

   Overcoming temptation involves replacement of worldly, devilish, and fleshly impulses with the applied Truth of Scripture.

   "Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands that he may have to give to him that needeth" (Ephesians 4:28).

    The Apostle Paul did not merely tell thieves to stop thieving, but rather to supplant the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.  We put off the works of our former lives by putting on the character, nature, and way of Christ and our newness of life in Him (Ephesians 4:22-24).  This applies to all temptation.  It is not enough to merely not do whatever the challenge involves.  Victory through the Lord Jesus Christ rather calls us to specifically overcome darkness with His light.  For example, if we are tempted to fear, we embrace confidence in the promises of Scripture.  "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).  If enticed to resentment and bitterness, we remember the love of God for our offender, and the truth of such love "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5).  When discouragement seems to overwhelm us, we replace wallowing in pity with the God-enabled determination: "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habbakuk 3:17-18).  

   The Christian life in a fallen world frequently involves overcoming challenge rather than deliverance from it.  Great glory to God results when temptations become opportunities to experience our Lord and His truth not merely as a way to avoid sin, but also to reveal His salvation in ways that could not be known apart from conflict.  Whatever the temptation, Scripture offers specific rays of light that overcome darkness.  The Holy Spirit leads and enables us to apply such truth as we "fight the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12).  Thereby former thieves become givers, liars become truthtellers, worriers become stalwarts of faith, and and human weakness becomes the vessel of Divine power.  Replace.

"Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh."

(Galatians 5:16)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

(I Timothy 6:17)