First Love – New Love!

Ps. 119:⁹ “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word… ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

By God’s grace, I will teach you two things that I do to overcome the power of temptation. These two things have their origins and roots in the Word of God.

The first is, cultivate your love for Jesus Christ and the second is, act in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why I am very big on worship. Worship cultivates your love for God, it expresses your love for God, and it helps you grow in both.

Cultivate your love for Jesus Christ because a new love can be stronger than an old habit. When you fall in love with something new, it is capable of conquering old habits. If you fall in love again and again with Jesus, you will discover that the old habit will break away from you. Consider the story of Joseph; his own brothers sold him into slavery. Potiphar, an Egyptian high-ranking official eventually bought him.. Potiphar promoted Joseph to business manager [if you will], managing all of Potiphar’s affairs. Then Potiphar’s wife began to try to seduce Joseph. “Come lie with me!” but Joseph would not. This is what Joseph said and it is very instructive. Gen.39:⁹ “…How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

You would think that Joseph would say, “How would I do such a wicked thing and sin against Potiphar who has been good to me?” But Joseph did not say that. He could even have said, “I know I am the manager over all my master’s affairs. How can I sin against you? You are so vulnerable; your husband is never really around. Why should I take advantage of you?” Joseph did not even say that. He said, “How could I do a wicked thing and sin against God.” It was Joseph’s love for God that made Joseph strong. Your love for Jesus will make you strong against temptation.

This temptation you are struggling with, have you been able to locate what God’s heart is about it? When you locate what God’s heart is, fix your focus on pleasing Him. His love and your love for Him will constrain you and you will overcome that temptation.

Prayer: I love you, Jesus. I ask that You renew my love for You daily, that I will indeed hunger for You more than my necessary food, in Jesus Name. Amen!