Iron Sharpens Iron

Excerpt: “We have put so much emphasis on avoiding evil that we have become virtually blind to the endless opportunities for doing good. We have defined holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to.” - Chasing Daylight, pg. 36

Aaaaahhhhhhh this is our biggest issue boys, living on the defense!
We spend our lives trying not to do things, not to fall into sin, not to screw up.
 
I learnt this nugget at a mens retreat a couple years ago when the guy was talking about sexuality, masturbation, pornography and all that other great stuff that all of you partake, struggle with or live in denial about :)
He said this and it unlocked a new perspective on my understanding of all these areas...
“IT’S NOT WHAT YOU STAND AGAINST THAT COUNTS, IT’S WHAT YOU STAND FOR!”

My whole life I spend my energies trying not to fall into those kinds of sins. But what he said unlocked a new perspective after realized how defensive that kind of living was. I realize sin was there to destroy me and I needed to have more than a hope that it would not overcome me. So in those moments when sin raised it’s head (Pun not intended) I needed to have something to throw in it’s face.
Leaving that retreat I made 3 choices which would become my weapons to fight with:
To live for integrity, being the same person alone or with company
 I chose to live for purity
I chose Jesus.
In those moments of temptation I have to switch over from living on the defense, “I really don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do this” to living on the offense and declaring that I live for “purity, integrity, and Jesus”.

I can honestly say when you make decisions to advance rather than wait to be picked off... you will win more wars.
“IT’S NOT WHAT YOU STAND AGAINST THAT COUNTS, IT’S WHAT YOU STAND FOR!”

CHALLENGE: Are you like most guys right now, spending your time trying not to fall into sin?
Take some time with God this weekend and decide what you stand for! Write it down, share it with your brothers, email me if you want but nail it down and start declaring it in battle.

PRAYER: God we are men longing to live significant lives. Give us more to live for in the midst of our daily temptations. Some of us are in so deep and need your deliverance Lord, it seems like nothing we do could help now. Lead us into a new place, establish vision and remind us of the plans you have for us so we can throw those in the face of the enemy as he tries to destroy our lives. God we chose Integrity, Purity and Jesus! Amen.


Hey boys I suggest you all go to www.xxxchurch.com and download X3watch software for all your computers. You put friends email addresses in and it emails them any dodgy sites you visit. Lets get the easy temptations out of the way.

Blessings,
Rob




.