Tag Archives: #OvercomingTemptation

August 21st 2025 – Fruit of the Spirit – Part 9 of 9

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We are on the last day of a 9-day journey. As we studied this week, Paul listed nine godly virtues that constitute the fruit of God’s Spirit—the inward and outward effects of having the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. They are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Temperance (self-control) – “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Where the New King James Version has “self-control,” the earlier King James Version used the word “temperance,” which means self-restraint. Today, however, this word usually carries the narrower sense of moderation or, when referring to alcoholic drinks, total abstinence. Therefore, as commonly understood today, temperance is only a small part of self-control.

Another thing to consider is whether the sequential order of the nine godly virtues is significant. The first listed, love, is clearly the most important. Is self-control listed last because it’s the least important? On the contrary, self-control is extremely vital. Paul emphasized it alongside “righteousness … and the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25).

Perhaps self-control is listed last as the capstone—since it takes a lot of self-control to exercise the other eight virtues! It takes a lot of self-control just to “bridle” one’s tongue. Maybe Paul was thinking of love and self-control as the two great bookends of the set.

We all face temptations to sin throughout our lives. When confronted with temptation, we must strive, as far as possible, to get away from it—flee! Even if you think you have a lot of self-control, don’t put it to the test unnecessarily.

Consider some of the things we are told to flee: “Flee” from a “stranger” (a teacher of lies), “flee sexual immorality,” as Joseph had to literally flee (Genesis 39:12), flee from idolatry, flee all kinds of evil, and flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22).

Jesus said, “The spirit [one’s attitude] indeed is willing, but the flesh [human willpower] is weak” (Matthew 26:41). God will not take away a person’s free will to make choices in life. But as long as you keep inviting Him into your life, He will empower you “to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

As with all of us, your biggest spiritual enemy has likely been yourself. But take heart. With God’s great help, you can conquer this enemy!

“We need self-control to avoid not only outright evil but also too much of the good things.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You in prayer to magnify and glorify Your precious name. Draw close to me, O Heavenly Father. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, and shape me into who You want me to be. Allow Your will to be done in my life, so I can become a living, breathing testimony. Take control, Jesus; be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Allow me to display self-control when temptations draw near. Help me to resist whatever comes my way. Make me pure, holy, and true when the enemy tries to intervene. Give me peace in my mind, body, and soul so that I can remain focused on You and Your word daily. Let Your Word be the bread that I crave and long for as much as the air that I breathe. Let lustful desires, anger, guilt, jealousy, sorrow, and pride just fall away at the sound of Your great name. May these things not control my actions, emotions, or thoughts. I continually desire to seek You. Give me the strength to overcome. Continue to grow the Fruits of the Spirit in me. Without You, I cannot go on; I need You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Living a life without Jesus? Read below.

Life can be overwhelming, filled with moments of joy and times of struggle. In the midst of it all, many of us seek something deeper—a connection that brings peace, purpose, and unconditional love. If you’ve been searching for meaning, I invite you to consider Jesus. He is not just a figure in history; He is our Savior, longing to embrace you with open arms. Recognizing our own imperfections and the weight of our burdens can lead us to a beautiful truth: Jesus offers forgiveness and a new beginning. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done; His grace is sufficient for all. If you feel a tug on your heart, it may be time to take that step of faith and invite Him into your life.

Salvation Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging my need for You. I recognize that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins and to offer me the gift of eternal life. I believe that He rose again, conquering death and sin.

Jesus, I invite You into my heart today. Be my Lord and Savior. Help me to turn away from my old ways and to follow You in faith. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, guiding me in my journey of faith. I commit my life to You, trusting in Your love and grace. Thank You for this new beginning. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

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May 21st 2025 – Identity Crisis

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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

In this profound moment of baptism, God affirms Jesus’ identity and expresses His pleasure. Yet, immediately following this declaration, in (Matthew 4:1-10) we see Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness after enduring a forty-day fast. The enemy seeks to undermine this divine affirmation by challenging Jesus with the words, “If You are the Son of God.”

This first temptation is crucial; it invites us to question our own identity in Christ. When we accept God’s gracious, unmerited gift of salvation, our identity is firmly established in the blood of Christ, which triumphs over the enemy. Imagine a first grader coming home with an ‘F’ on their report card, only to be told by a parent, “You are no longer my child—change your name and leave!” It’s unthinkable! Similarly, God does not cast us aside in our failures, for His love is unwavering and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Consider a drooping plant in a garden. A skilled gardener wouldn’t uproot it and throw it away. Instead, they would place a wooden stake next to it, helping the plant stand tall while being supported. This is a picture of our lives in Christ—leaning not on our own efforts, but fully depending on the grace that God provided through Jesus on the cross, allowing us to grow in Him.

“The enemy aims to make you doubt who you are and whose you are, leading you to strive for what has already been graciously given.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sacrificing Yourself so that I might find my identity in You as Your beloved child. Help me to continually remember the grace You have extended to me at the cross, that I may live for You in every season of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

April 21st 2025 – Battlefield of the Mind

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“We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

The battle we face as Christians is very real, and it is often extremely difficult. We see in the Scripture that spiritual battles are most often fought in our own minds. In the verses above, notice the words used to describe the battle. He uses words like “argument,” “knowledge,” and “thought,” This is why studying the Bible is so important. The more we know God’s Word, the more we are equipped to respond correctly. We can often see this really well in those moments we are corrected.

The moment we are corrected over something, our mind instantly leaps to our defense. Rather than honestly considering the circumstances being presented, we usually respond by either explaining why it’s not our fault, making an excuse for why it’s okay, or we simply point out what is wrong with the person correcting us. This is the same tactic Adam and Eve used in the garden, and it is something we need to guard our minds against. Instead of responding in the flesh, we can take a moment to pray and respond rightly.

Law enforcement and military personnel take time to train for various situations they may encounter in the field. So schedule time to get into God’s Word so that you can better prepare for how to handle spiritual battles that take place in our minds.

“Fill your mind with God’s Word, and you will have no room for Satan’s lies.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your Word so that I am better able to know how to live. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can respond in love at all times. Guard my mind against the powers of the enemy, and help me to think on godly things. I want to know You more and love You more. Please help me commit my heart to seek You and grow in my understanding of who You are and how much You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

October 31st 2024 – Armed for Spiritual Battles

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“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

In our walk with Christ, we often encounter spiritual battles that can leave us feeling weary and overwhelmed. These battles are not always visible, yet they are profoundly real. We find ourselves grappling with doubts, temptations, and fears, feeling the weight of these unseen struggles. However, it is essential to remember that we do not fight these battles alone.

God has equipped us with powerful resources to stand firm in the face of adversity. (Ephesians 6:10-18) reminds us to put on the “full armor of God.” Each piece of this armor serves a specific purpose in our spiritual defense. The belt of truth keeps us grounded, the breastplate of righteousness guards our hearts, and the shield of faith extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy.

Prayer is our lifeline during these battles. It is through prayer that we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and draw strength from His promises. When we feel overwhelmed, we can cry out to Him, knowing He listens and responds. (Philippians 4:6-7) encourages us to bring our anxieties to God in prayer, and in return, He grants us peace that surpasses all understanding.

Scripture is another crucial weapon in our arsenal. Jesus Himself used the Word of God to combat temptation during His time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can learn to recognize the lies of the enemy and replace them with the truth of God’s Word. Memorizing verses that speak to our specific battles can provide a swift response when challenges arise.

Moreover, it’s vital to surround ourselves with a community of believers. We are not meant to fight these battles in isolation. Sharing our struggles with trusted friends or mentors can provide encouragement and accountability. As (Hebrews 10:24-25) reminds us, we should not neglect gathering together, as it strengthens our resolve and faith.

Lastly, remember that victory is assured in Christ. While the battles may be fierce, the ultimate victory has already been won through His death and resurrection. We can stand firm in the hope that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37).

“Trust in the victory that is found in Christ, and stand strong in faith.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the midst of my spiritual battles. I ask for Your strength and guidance as I face these challenges. Help me to wear the armor You have provided and to rely on Your Word and prayer. Surround me with fellow believers who can support and encourage me. Thank You for the victory that is mine through Jesus Christ. In Your name, I pray, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 22 2024 – Lessons from the Past

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1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 

2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 

3 They all ate the same spiritual food 

4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 

5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 

7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 

8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 

9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 

10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

(1 Corinthians 10:1-14)

As we delve into this passage, we are reminded of the weight of our spiritual heritage. The Israelites, our spiritual ancestors, experienced miraculous acts of God yet still faced consequences for their disobedience. Paul draws our attention to their journey, emphasizing that these historical events serve as powerful lessons for us today.

In verses 1-4, Paul highlights the unity and shared experiences of the Israelites, who were all under the cloud and passed through the sea. They were baptized into Moses, symbolizing their deliverance and commitment to God. Similarly, we, as Christians, are united in Christ through our baptism, called to a life of faith and obedience.

Yet, despite their miraculous experiences, many of the Israelites fell into sin—idolatry, immorality, and grumbling (verses 6-10). These actions led to dire consequences, reminding us that even among those who have witnessed God’s power, the temptation to stray remains. Paul warns us that these stories are not just ancient history; they are relevant and applicable to our lives today.

In verses 11-12, Paul stresses the importance of humility. When we think we are standing firm, we must remain vigilant. Our strength is not in ourselves but in Christ. This realization keeps us grounded and reliant on God’s grace.

The essence of this passage culminates in verse 13, where we find both comfort and challenge. God is faithful; He understands our struggles and has promised that we will not face temptations beyond our ability to endure. His faithfulness provides a way out, encouraging us to trust in His provision and strength during trials.

As we reflect on this devotion, let us embrace the lessons from our ancestors. Let us flee from idolatry and the distractions that lead us away from God. In moments of temptation, may we turn our eyes to Jesus, the spiritual rock that sustains us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons from Scripture that guide us in our journey of faith. Help us to learn from the mistakes of those who came before us, and may we remain steadfast in our commitment to You. Grant us the wisdom to recognize temptation and the strength to flee from it. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for providing a way out in our times of trial. May our lives reflect Your love and grace as we seek to honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org