"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry". 1 Cor 10: 12-14

Different temptations appeal to different people with varying degrees of intensity. What might be a stumbling block to me may not be a stumbling block to my neighbor.

This is one of the reasons Christ taught us not to judge another's actions or reactions. We cannot appreciate their dilemma because we do not know the problems that plague our neighbors.

If we chart our own weaknesses and try to practice self honesty and realize the flaws in our own character, then a great degree of our problem will be eliminated.

Most temptation, contrary to popular belief, does not just lie in waiting to pounce upon us. Actually, temptation is something we are compelled to seek out due to flaws in our character. For example, the drug addict will always have a succession of re lapses because he subconsciously creates situations which tempt him. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is insanity.

There is only one way to conquer the compulsion to seek out temptation; only one way to conquer when we are being tempted and that is, the scriptural command to "FLEE FROM IT". To often, we just crawl away, hoping that temptation will overcome itself. However, the secret to successfully living the Christian life of temperance is to chart your weaknesses and to avoid those areas in which you are most vulnerable. Often times we may stumble upon a tempting situation however, in situations such as these it may become necessary to "FLEE". This is what Joseph had to do when Potiphars wife tried to seduce him.

Sometimes, when people do not flee temptations, they find themselves being seduced beyond their control and end up in sin or, their resistance to the temptation becomes so overwhelming that emotional pain takes its toll. The "Wisdom of Christ" is the only true principal that allows sure success and victory in times like these. However, a countless number of people have turned to prescribed medications or illegal drugs to suppress their emotional pain and guilt. Satan has blinded millions of people from the knowledge of true victory; the victory that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul gave us the key to the victorious life..."BUT PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND MAKE NOT PROVISIONS FOR THE FLESH" Rom 13:14. When we put on Christ, we have all the wisdom necessary to overcome temptation. How do we acquire this overcoming wisdom of Christ? It may sound contrite but I am not at all trying to be contrite when I simply say..."Pray about it". My friends there is power in prayer.

Prayer is the most effective way to tap into the wisdom and power that exists in great reservoir within the unconscious mind. This is where the conscious mind of Christ dwells. To put on Christ simply means to let what is in your unconscious mind filter into your conscious mind. Serious prayer allows this process to begin and to continue.

In effective prayer there must be humility, the relinquishment of self desires, and the absolute knowledge of helplessness. Self-surrender is the key to effective prayer. When the attitude is "I can do nothing of my own" then, and only then, can we begin to receive the "MIND OF CHRIST" in a glorious way. When this attitude pervades the conscious mind and sinks deeply into the unconscious mind, the result is total serenity and clarity of thought which make right decisions not only possible, but almost inevitable. Even the popular Dr.Freud observed that, "intelligence can function reliably, only when removed from the influence of strong emotional force". Therefore, effective prayer can and will draw us away from the strong emotional pull of temptation and put us in touch with that source of all intelligence, "the mind of Christ". The power of prayer can and will subdue these strong desires giving way to God's will and lead us into His ultimate purpose for our lives. "IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVES TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY" James 1:5. "BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT".

Paul gives us one of those sobering truths with utter simplicity, it staggers us. He simply says, "and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" . Intoxicating wine has sway over our body and likewise the "Mind of Christ" has sway over our actions and deeds. Paul believed and preached that, when we are totally absorbed into the Spirit, we are overpowered by a power greater than ourselves. In other words we reach a plane that is Christ controlled through His indwelling spirit, not self-controlled. This is the only way to rise above our own natures-up from the pit!

Our happiness depends upon our ability to handle temptation and to not let temptation handle us...subdue the flesh with the mind of Christ. Robert Louis Stevenson stated "We are condemned to some nobility"...The Bible says "the wages of sin is death". God has created us with the ability and desire for greatness and nobility. If we stifle that drive, our life becomes shattered and dissipated, therefore we must cultivate the nobility that moves us from the realm of animalism to the realm of divinity, into the "Mind of Christ"! Self-surrender and Christ control, lead to a life of sovereign power...the power unto Salvation. "Self-Surrender must be our will because Christ-Control is His will.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another" Gal 5:22-26