Holiday Wisdom

Make it your goal to have fullness of joy without limits. If u achieve that, then God will give you the perfect person if that is His will. If it is not... then, all u will have left is fullness of joy.

 

Temperance helps us conquer habits. Temperance is being sober-minded. If we like wild females on TV or are attracted to wild females in real life, we get more temptation. A sober-minded person is praising the Lord and strives to be attracted to females who have self-control and are modest and godly.

Today, there is this giant tray of cookies and desserts. I need to stop the celebration and get back to self-control. My plan is to eat 1 cookie only today. The more areas that we practice temperance in, the more self-control we will develop. Second, reject and replace thoughts of anxiety, anger and other negative emotions (as well as lust). Temperance says: Anxiety, anger and other negative emotions are from satan. We practice self-control by determining to reject and replace these bad thoughts. It is hard to find too many prayers for this and to work to much on this.

Finally, if you work on controlling your thoughts today (and every day), you will have “more” joy than people who overindulge in any area. Why? Because God will start to be with you more.

 

Luke 6:47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was [j]founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it [k]fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

This passage tells us what “To do.” If we hear the Word and do nothing we get ruin.

Second, many read articles, but only a few think constantly about how to form new habits that will squeeze out the old habits. Make it a hobby to research online about “How to form new habits.” Your library probably has a book on forming habits.

Third, your house is your life. Consider memorizing:

“Being a doer of God's ways makes my life rock solid.” “Hearing the Word and doing nothing = ruin.”

Fourth, Consider picking a habit recommended in one of the last 5 articles. Then work on it every day.

Fifth, use scripture to help fight loneliness. The Bible says, "The righteous are as bold as lions." I quote this often and pray over it often. It helps.

Finally, be a doer of the Word, form new habits, success.

 

What is lust? If I see someone spectacular when I am eating out, I notice. When does looking become lust? #1 If you are looking at the “wrong things,” it may be lust when you look the 2nd time in my opinion. What if I am wrong? Well... I am quite sure it is lust when you look back at the wrong thing for the 13th time.

Someone may ask, what are the most times I can look and have it be okay? Truly, my opinion does not matter. Ask God. He will give you His opinion.

Turn

Lust leads to P. P leads to depression. Depression keeps people from building relationships. Light and joy lead us toward fellowship and a great life.

 

Our phones computers and electronic devices are either a 50-caliber bullet flying at us, or they can become a great weapon for us to defeat our foe. If we look at what our flesh wants, bad things happen. Here are tips on how to use them for good.

#1 Search how to “Overcome lust” so many times that it automatically goes to that phrase just because you put in the O. #2 Search “Verses lust” so many times that it automatically goes to that phrase just because you put in the V. #3 Search “Turn from lust.” #4 Have key articles saved in your phone. If you look at them so often that you can quote sentences from them, you have started to fire back at the one who is shooting at you. #5 Have prayers saved in your phone so that you can “constantly” have something else to think about instead of lust.

Finally, consider making it a lifelong habit to use your phone and devices for good. It will be a huge help in the fight.

 

As we read the Bible we realize, that God hates lust. If I say to boycott a top movie star because she shows way too much, people will have a cow. 5 years ago it was unacceptable to me to avoid a star who completely crossed the line. Why? Because her beauty and sexuality were hugely important to me.

God's verses about lust were less important than my pleasure. Consider praying:

“Father, take away my love of sinful pleasure, and help me to hate lust.”

If you turn instantly from lust and then ban watching that movie/TV star (for completely crossing the line), you may learn something. #1 You may learn a top 5 technique for avoiding falling. #2 You may learn that God hates lust because it keeps us from love, joy, peace and other fruits of the Spirit. #3 You may learn that wrongful behavior from the past did not satisfy. If we watch TV, or look at our phone in a correct way, it will satisfy us “more” and we will avoid the destruction that wrong scenes cause. #4 You may learn that you now can pray to hate lust. God is back to being more important to you than that star was.

Finally, this is a war. Those who win the war will work more on quitting. Those who win the war will trust God more. He says, “Life is better without lust.” Believe Him.

The more we fight the war God's way, the more we can pray for boldness. That is good for loneliness.

 

Satan wants the church confused about whether we can quit sinning, and whether we should fight lust urgently. God wants us to know that we can and that we should. Why? Because God urgently wants us doing His will. The Bible says “His kingdom is coming.” Lust keeps us from doing His will and keeps us from joy.

Second, nothing you can do will give you more joy and pleasure than doing God's will. We all know... Satan's pleasure is easy, but it adds destruction. We find God's pleasure as we do God's will. We find God's pleasure as we increase in prayer and praise.

Third, finding God's pleasure takes time and often work. Satan will tell you, “My pleasure is better.” Lies.

Today, consider urgently committing to putting in the time and work so that you will “know” what God wants you to do.

Fourth, consider setting clear goals about discipline today and this week.

Finally, Paul urgently disciplined his body. He urgently tried to learn and do God's will. He lived a great life. Strive to be like Paul with discipline, and doing God's will. His lifestyle always attracted friends.

 

We rarely see ourselves the way God sees us. He looks at us as people who can do great things. He does not have a list of abstract rules. His laws are there so that we can follow them so that we can do great things.

Today, I am again praying:

“Father, expand my borders and bless me indeed.”

This is a great prayer taken directly from scripture. To expand my borders I need more of the Holy Spirit inside me. I need to raise my standards for fighting sin and lust. I need to be willing to do God's will.

When I pray, and pray prayers like that one, I start to get a glimpse of how God sees me.

Finally, adjust that prayer to add power:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and expand my borders.”

Finally, repent, pray, and then think about how God sees you. With every creation, He made someone who can do great things. Today, consider going to war with lust so that you can do them.

Here is a song about how God sees us.

 

Many have a goal of quitting something. But sometimes people blur the line between quitting God's way and quitting for a specific reason. Let's say, one wants to quit because their habit has led to constant darkness and intermittent depression. So they want to quit that habit to avoid that issue. The problem is... if one quits porn, and does not go to war with sin, they are doing something wise, but they are missing something.

Second, it is important to quit a habit, and then to replace that habit with the fruits of the Spirit, praise, and doing God's will. That is how you quit God's way.

Third, you might be trying to quit with all your might. You keep trying a bunch of things, but you still keep falling. But, the key word in this scenario is “Trying.” Keep submitting to God, and keep trying.

Fourth, fast and pray. Some of you want to fast from food, and that is great. But most of us would be greatly helped if we fasted from borderline TV shows and movies.

I refuse to watch high-risk TV, but finding squeaky clean TV takes hard work and discipline. If I want to quit God's way, I need to put in the work to avoid trashy TV.

When we quit God's way, we have a real relationship with God, and that helps with loneliness.

Finally, the goal is fullness of joy. The Bible says to not give satan any opportunity. When we refuse to give satan any openings, we start to see joy flowing into us. The real goal is to someday have a person see you and say, “Wow, this person is different, filled with Light, how can I be like them.” That is the goal.

 

When tempted, and when preparing for temptation, we should practice mindfulness. Instead of thinking, “I want this,” we should think about the whole experience. The whole experience includes:

#1 Destruction: Consider Googling/studying, “Verses destruction,” and “Verses destroy.”

#2 Loss of contentment. Consider rating how important your loss of contentment is.

#3 Loss of peace. Consider rating how important your loss of peace is.

#4 A decrease in our ability to have great relationships.

#5 A loss of Joy.

#6 Decreasing faith.

#7 An inability to find full purpose.

#8 An increasing space between us and God

#9 Becoming dead inside. Losing the ability to enjoy other things.

#10 The draining of courage that could be used to combat loneliness.

#11 List your top three losses that are part of the experience.

Rate your top three “losses” that are part of falling. Now go to war this week with researching new ways to fight back. Let's say that a “Loss of contentment” is one of your top three. With this information, you could plan to pray:

“Father, take away this spirit of lust, and help me to be content.”

You can pray this prayer 500 times this week if you have identified, “Loss of contentment” as a key loss for you.

Second, consider taking your top 3 losses and changing a few words in that prayer until it fits your exact situation. Then repeat it (With full sincerity) until you know it.

Third, when I fell I hated the darkness and felt so separated from God. Late in my addiction, I would think when tempted: “This will ruin my week. This will cause destruction. This will take away my favorite thing, “Praying at night before I go to sleep. Then... I would fall and later feel really dumb.

Fourth, if you really add up all the bad things... They are way worse than the lustful thing was fun (Short-term fun with added destruction).

Fifth, we need to put all of the bad things in the spotlight before temptation. We need to know them inside and out. We need to think about them and pray about them.

Today, consider rating the “losses” that are part of the experience. Then think about them, pray, and use them to plan a more effective way to fight.

 

Our daily plan is often the same, but we always need to see what should be added. Every day it is wise to be ready with a top 5 prayer like:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and fill me with Your love.”

But, it is also wise to repeat a key verse often that tells us what we are replacing lust with.

2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

If we have added this verse to our phone, now we can pray about these new things:

“Father, help me to flee from sin, and help me to pursue righteousness.”

“Father, take away this lust, and give me peace.”

Second, decide how fast you want to quit. The fastest way to quit is to be aware of what the Bible says regarding the fear of the Lord. #1 The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To quit fast, quote this verse then avoid known triggers like objects, places, certain people and tempting activities. To quit fast, quote it when you have a tempting thought.

Finally, for your daily plan, consider adding a couple of key verses to your phone. Read them often for that day. If they are working continue to read them often all week. Make up prayers based on your key scriptures. Fight tempting thoughts with prayer or scripture every time.

When you have a great daily plan, you start to have your own personalized armor against lust.

Satan wins if we sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We know what that leads to.

Third, every day, consider praying urgently to “Get started.” Get started daily with Bible-study, movement, increasing in spiritual things, and fighting bad habits. All of these things “Lead to better relationships.

One of the most important habits you need urgently is to form the habit of “Fighting bad habits daily.” Set a time and a place for this war. It is vital!!!

Second, free time leads to temptation. Fill it up. Here are some ways:

1. Study and pray about purpose.
   
   
2. Meet a strong spiritual friend for lunch.
   
   
3. Read a Christian book.
   
   
4. Pray about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
   
   
5. Attend an exercise class.
   
   
6. Study Bible verses on love, contentment, toughness, joy, peace, or anything else that you need.
   
   
7. Volunteer in your community.
   
   
8. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile.
   
   
9. Pick up a new hobby through classes or online tutorials.
   
   
10. Go for a run.
    
    
11. Pick a spiritual trait you should be doing, and do it today and this week: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
    
    
12. Clean your home or car.
    
    
13. Meditate or pray over spiritual traits you need to increase so that bad habits decrease.
    
    
14. Learn a new language with books or an app.
    
    
15. Count your blessings
    
    
16. Print and frame digital photos from your phone.
    
    
17. Catch up on errands.
    
    
18. Go for a walk.
    
    
19. Finish a home-improvement project.
    
    
20. Call an elderly relative.
    
    
21. Plant a garden in your yard (or join a community garden).
    
    
22. Write in a journal.
    
    
23. Do a crossword puzzle.
    
    
24. Play a board game.
    
    
25. Take yourself out for ice cream.
    
    
26. Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
    
    
27. Write a poem.
    
    
28. Try mindfulness techniques.
    
    
29. Make a commitment to strengthen relationships
    

Firstly, attack bad habits with spiritual techniques. But, almost as importantly, fill up your free time with healthy activities. An idle mind is the devil's workshop.

 

Some people diet long-term and don't eat much real food. They restrict calories, but they are almost malnourished. Then, when they try to eat normally again, bad things happen. Instead, others diet with skinless chicken, vegetables and some fruit. With this method, they stay nourished and might have less trouble when they eat normally again.

Quitting is the same. We can and should starve ourselves from temptation. But we need to put healthy things into our minds to replace our old thoughts. Quitting is 51% what we do and 49% what we stop doing.

Second, replace habitual thoughts with one of the fruits of the Spirit. Galations 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This month I am trying to pray:

“Father, fill me with Your love,” 30 to 50 times per day. Hopefully, I will make doing that a habit. Today I am reading “Brave Love” to learn about love. Today consider searching “Verses Love”

Third, we are either fighting to have good thoughts or darkness will keep its foothold in our lives. When we pray about love or another fruit of the Spirit, the power of the Holy Spirit increases, and, the Holy Spirit takes up more room in us leaving less room for bad things.

Fourth, if lust thoughts plague you consider praying with every bad thought:

“Father, take away this spirit of lust and fill me with Your love.”

Fifth, if love is your strength pray urgently about self-control or some other fruit. The key point is to pray urgently about positive change so that the Holy Spirit increases in us and starts “Squeezing the darkness out.”

Sixth, love makes people like us more (I need that), and that helps with loneliness.

Today, plan how you will fight so that you will fight in a way that gets you extra help.

 

Over the last few weeks, I have written articles on various topics. In the article “No Cheating I recommended praying, “Father, help me to raise the standards in turning from lust.”

In the article “Triggers I recommended several prayers to prepare for temptation. In the article Snap It I gave 6 idea's about what to think about when we have a lustful thought.

The point of this article is not to review old articles. The point is to take a look at what we actually “do” in our efforts to change. If we aren't fanatical in planning to “do” something from an article, odds are we won't do what it says for long.

Plan What To Do

Consider putting notes everywhere to remind you “To Do” what an article advises. Written notes, sticky notes, notes in code, etc. At work put PTL for praise the Lord, or RFL for run from lust.

Take notes on 3 by 5 cards which you can take with you or use anywhere.

Spend a block of time praying over your notes, or printouts of articles.

Pray about turning aggressively from lust in advance, and often.

Write out 4 reasons that you want to quit. Review them often. Things like, I want to fulfil my purpose, I want to live in the light because I hate the darkness, I am sick of satan ruining my life.

Have a time in the evening to review how well the “plan” was achieved. To see how it could be improved.

Your daily plan should include more things from old articles than from new ones. What are your most vital habits that you need to form?

When is temptation most severe. Write down which articles will really help. The more you take notes about which articles help with what situations, the better it will be.

Believe that you can start to be filled with joy. Psalm 51:12 ESV

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Jesus says that your life can be great. Believe it.

 

Bad emotions lead to depression. If you start to become angry, discontent, stressed, or any of a dozen negative emotions... Panic. Negative emotions lead to darkness and darkness leads to bad habits. Recently, I noted that praising the Lord 100 times is a top 7 way to quit. Why? Because that praise is “fighting” negative emotions.

Second, exercise. Aerobic activity fights stress and fights negative emotions. Consider picking an exercise and then try to make it a habit.

Third, give thanks. It is a Bible command after all... “In everything give thanks.” Satan wants you mad at your wife/husband, job, and everything else. Instead, list what you are thankful for.

Fourth, attack your negative emotions with scripture. I just clicked “Verses frustration.” I scrolled down to the Open Bible list. Wow, it is great. Consider making it a habit to do this when your worst negative emotion flares up.

Fifth, realize you can do something. I have prob given 20 things “To do,” in my last dozen or so articles. Consider starting a notebook that has “To do,” written on its cover. Then, next time your emotions attack, you will have something to do. Having something “To do” is a top 5 trick for fighting temptation.

Sixth, negative emotions sometimes keep us negative, which then keeps us chained in loneliness.

Seventh, when you are fighting desperately against negative emotions, having something to do won't be as fun as a vacation in paradise. So always remember... You are doing this replacement activity as work. As fighting back. As a powerful technique to get you through to where life gets good again. Plus...when you make it safely, life will start to get better and better.

 

I recommended the book Atomic Habits to help with quitting and my friend said, “Just watch the Youtube about the book.” This is an excellent suggestion if you don't want to get the book. But it takes 65 to 100 days to form a new habit. So if today you say, “I will learn to pray “Father, help me to turn from lust” over the next 2-3 months. I will form the habit of saying/praying it 10 times “every” day, and I will say it 5-10 times during any TV program that has any risk or if I am anyplace that has risk for me.” I will also read one page from a book about forming habits every day over the next 2-3 months.

I love that plan because reading a page a day reminds you every day about the urgency of learning new “Habits.”

Second, I always say, “Memorize this.” Have a quitting notebook, have an activities notebook. Why? Because it is hard to quit. You have to literally pound out the bad, and be so obsessed with the “New good habit,” that you think about implementing the new good habit all the time.

Third, have you ever been around a weightlifter? They talk constantly about goals, getting bigger, getting stronger, they are totally obsessed. Why? Because their past goals have turned out “golden” for them. They are now bigger, stronger, with way more energy. They also are very excited about the way they look now.

Fourth, tell yourself constantly: “My new habits will keep me from destruction, they will lead me into the light, they are the beginning of joy and purpose.

Finally, pick 1-3 new habits that you want to make permanent habits over the next 2-3 months. Then get a book about habits and read a page a day, or watch 3 minutes “every” day about forming habits on Youtube. That is how anyone can pound out bad habits and start to implement good habits.

 

A top ten habit for quitting is to analyze what to work on today. Firstly, if something is way out of whack like anger, work on that. Pound it out with Bible verses on anger (Verses anger).

Second, the Bible says: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I think I will memorize this verse in a couple of versions. Consider using this verse in your fight to start thinking right.

Third, the armor of God is truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (The Bible). Which of these do you need to work on today.

Fourth, I think wrong way more than I should. Based on this article I have a lot of things I should be thinking about.

Fifth, the more I think right, the less I will think wrong.

Finally, I will be printing out this article. I don't think on these things enough. I don't start my day or reboot my day by focusing on these things enough. I need to make it a habit to analyze what to work on today. That's what I plan to do every day from now on.

 

Life has been very frustrating for me for the last 3 days. Job, relationships, problems etc. Last night and this morning I found time to give thanks. It really helps. I also am focusing on praising the Lord.

Second, I printed out the Feb 18th Armor of God thread which is already helping. That article quotes “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure,” etc, think about that. Based on that, I am focusing on thinking about something positive and good. This is a big improvement for me. When life gets bad I go to “My” solutions, not “God's” solutions. I am changing that.

Third, studying that verse, I realized today that I had been thinking in a way that was not really “true.” God's ways are true and best for me. Falling to my lower desires doesn't make my life better.

Finally, I am horrified that I have never printed out a page of the best verses on frustration. That is my next plan.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 5:7 ESV Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

If frustration always leads to a fall, satan will often work on keeping you frustrated. Always think about what tricks he is using on you. Then fight back.

Finally, when you read articles, always consider writing out a “Shortlist” of things you can use from the article every day from now on. Write out two short things from the article and then pray about and determine to quote and pray about these two things tomorrow and this week. You may also always add something like, “Learn the habit of Turning from lust” as your third item for every day. But the key is... Keep it short and do it in real life.

 

Taylor Swift is a rock star. 8 years ago I assumed she was a star based on her great looks and good voice. But after watching a movie that goes behind the scenes, I realized, she lives, breathes, and thinks about music all the time. She constantly writes and records songs.

To quit, we need to have a focus on quitting the way she focuses on being a rock star.

#1 At what times during the day can you add an increased focus on quitting? If you have a ton of time to daydream lustful thoughts at work, then... You have enough time to pray some prayers to fight back. Consider praying 5-10 times daily:

“Father, help me to turn from lust.”

#2 When you get home from work or school, consider taking time to reboot and get prepared for the battle. Many study on this site before work or late at night, but, it helps to reboot after life blasts us again at work or school.

#3 Taylor thinks and works on music all the time because she prob wants to be a billionare, famous star. We should consider increasing our focus to lower the destruction and to start finding joy.

#4 Taylor gets the smartest music producers she can find. To quit we need to think about spending more time studying the “best” article, or articles for our exact situation. What sinks you? Where are the articles that can help you change that? Do you need to read them again and again if you have the same issue again and again?

#5 Taylor has experts who advise her on how to be a huge star. We need to strive to be around people who have it together. People who are spiritual giants. People who have overcome longterm habits. Often, pastors or priests love to talk to someone who really wants to quit. But even being around people who have it together is helpful. Be around people who have a list of healthy activities to turn to instead of habits. They are living a great life. I can live one also.

Finally, consider filling out your shortlist of what you will “do” based on today's articles. Reading is great, doing and forming habits is even better.

 

With the 1-2 habit, we write down 1-2 key things from an article. To triple its effectiveness set an alarm to review these key items every 30 minutes. Obviously, this only works when you are more alone and can review the key things for a few minutes. But, those are the times when temptation ramps up.

Second, Galatians 5:1 ESV “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Consider praying:

“Father, teach me how to put this slavery to death.”

Satan wants us to consider lust for a tiny bit, to keep considering for just a second, to wait to turn away from tempting thoughts for an instant. Why does God want us to put these thoughts “To death.” Because, considering our (bad) options keeps us from our purpose and from joy. When we cheat, someone is getting cheated. To find out who, check your mirror. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to turn from this habit and show me how to find joy.”

Third, schedule activities. It helps with quitting, and if you keep asking people to do stuff with you, someone will say yes sooner or later.

We find joy in purpose and in good habits. They will start you down the right path.