The Way of Escape

In my last post (Everything is Permissible), I mentioned that God had been speaking to me about verses I've known, but opening my eyes to more of their meaning. So true that the Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12).


Another verse I'm getting new insight into is 1 Corinthians 10:13 

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common 

to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

I always pictured God's "way of escape" as a physical one. At times, this is the case. You must physically remove yourself from a situation (i.e. alcoholic leaves the bar).

There are TWO OTHER "WAYS OF ESCAPE" that I am learning.  

1) Through TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY - Letting people into your lives. Sharing with someone the good, the bad AND the ugly. 

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.     

A recent example of this for me was two weeks ago when I went on a dinner date with my husband. In Everything is Permissible post, I had chosen to forfeit my large and second food portions as an intentional sacrifice for God. While I had been doing well, I hadn't been to a restaurant yet where I am really tempted. Truthfully, I was scared to go because I didn't want to fail. Fortunately, I CHOSE to be transparent and vulnerable with my husband... so I explained it to him and he offered to help. A neat thing happened... I only ate half of my meal and I was truly full - did not want another bite! That NEVER, I mean NEVER happens!!! I believe God blessed me that night for my obedience to ask for help from my husband AND Him.

2) Through YOUR MIND. Did you know your mind is constantly in a dialogue? At this very moment, there is a dialogue going on inside of your head. Do you recognize it? What is it saying about you? Your circumstances? Other people? This self-talk will either bring life or death to any situation. Which is it for you right now? If it is death, don't throw in the towel. Did you know that you can CHOOSE to change your mind to speak words of life instead of death? 

• Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live
• 2 Cor 10:5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ 
• Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
• Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

There are millions of self help books, sites, speakers, etc. out there trying to motivate us for change. While there efforts are noble, the change is temporary. Why? Because TRUE CHANGE CAN ONLY COME FROM THE WORD OF GOD.  (2 Cor 5:17; John 8:31-32)
 

We must change our self dialogue 

to overcome temptation.

Going back to the example of my food struggle, I must wake in the morning and renew my mind daily with God's word (Romans 12:2). 

Instead of speaking the negative (death),

"It's not fair that I cannot eat that. Dieting is the worst. I feel so deprived. I am so weak. I am so fat. It's hopeless, I am never going to change" 

.... CHOOSE to switch gears and speak Philippians 4:8 (life), "I can eat it because everything is permissible, but not beneficial (1 Cor 6:12). This is not a diet, it's choosing to live a healthier lifestyle to fulfill my calling. I feel EMPOWERED because I'm growing closer to Him and when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:10). I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and I'm one step closer to victory because I was made for more! I can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13) and I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)"

So... in what area is your self dialogue speaking death? Identify it and choose a positive Truth to replace it. If you feel you don't know enough of God's word... recognize that's Satan trying to keep you from this powerful tool. Here's my secret - Google. It helps me find all the verses I'm looking for. If you remember a portion of a verse, type it in OR type in "verses on (subject)" and it will get you there. Stand up for yourself and start living out your ways of escape!


           

Everything is Permissible...

If you haven't noticed, my weekly blog has become more of a sporadically inspired word (when the time allows). Allie is now 5 weeks old and my world has been temporarily rocked. Juggling three kids is tough.... talk about mommy guilt! We are working on getting wee one on a schedule and most importantly sleeping well at nights. She's an early riser (3am) and I can't seem to communicate to her that that's NOT OK. While I've had a few nights of catching up on Friends episodes (best show ever) to keep me sane, we are getting there .... slowly but surely. With that said, the computer has been neglected.

God is showing me alot these days... especially in the areas where I struggle. He's continually speaking truth through His word... Verses I've known ...  but ones I'm seeing and beginning to understand more clearly.

1 Cor 10:23  
Everything is beneficial, but not everything is permissible

So... does this mean we are free to do anything???? Sort of. (KEEP READING)

We are free from the Law. Free from the Do's and Dont's because we are Free in Christ. However..., if I want to just take this verse, run with it and live a destructive life on purpose... then I would have to really ask myself if I really am Free IN Christ.

WHATS YOUR BIG STRUGGLE?
Let me give you my example of where I am now - My Big struggle... most of you know is with Food. Yes, I love it.... way too much! Why does pizza, pasta, potatoes ... oh who am I kidding ALL the "bad" stuff have to be so good? I admit, I love it to the point that it controls me... to the point where, at times, I love it more than God (There, I said it!).

WHAT IS NOT BENEFICIAL? AND WHY NOT?
So here's the question for me. While all food is permissible, Is all food Beneficial for me? Absolutely not. Yes, it keeps my clothes tighter than I would like... Makes it difficult to drop post baby weight...Clogs my arteries and shortens my lifespan... causes me to obsess about my weight...Makes me self conscious.. leads to depression. Crazy as it sounds, these reasons are NOT enough to keep me away from it. None are the MAIN reason it is not beneficial. It is not beneficial because it pulls me away and separates me from fellowship with my God. It distracts me from my calling and affects my ministry.

My battle with food is no longer about weight or being a certain size. I haven't weighed myself since before I had Allie and I don't plan on doing it ANY time soon. (I have NO IDEA how much I weigh, and can I just tell you how good that feels.... could that be peace that I'm feeling?!?!?)

To draw closer to God, He calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow Him (Matthew 16:24). What is He asking me to deny? Yours may be drug-related, a relationship, an activity, a reaction or thought, etc. Mine is food in abundance. In Lysa Terkeurst's book study, Made to Crave, she revealed a truth that is changing me one day at a time.

"How do you grow close to God?

.. By making the CHOICE to DENY ourselves something that is permissible but not beneficial. And making this INTENTIONAL SACRIFICE for the SOLE PURPOSE of growing closer to God."

Did you get that? Not for the purpose of being healthier, thinner, overcoming a weakness...but for the SOLE PURPOSE of knowing Him better (Eph 1:17-20). As soon as it becomes about losing weight, it's no longer a sacrifice!

WHAT'S YOUR INTENTIONAL SACRIFICE?
So this is where I am right now. My intentional sacrifice is recognizing that the Lord is my portion (Lam 3:24), therefore I will not go to food in abundance. At mealtimes, I will get a normal person's portion (not my large portion and/or seconds). This is hard for me because, I have this little monster inside that screams "I want it all!" and my flesh mirrors that desire. So, in the moment that I'm making the choice to deny myself that extra large and 2nd portion, I'm focusing on sacrificing to God, NOT being skinny. I'm seeking to know Him better.

Make sense? We can ALL apply this principle to our life. 

The Question is... Do you want to KNOW Him better?