POST

STRENGTHENING MY STEPS
Claudia de Fajardo

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HOW TO OVERCOME

THE WORLD

Many people, after returning from an Encounter weekend, desire to radically follow the Lord in
every areas of their life. They want nothing from the world. Nevertheless, because they do
not know how to handle various situations, they allow themselves to be conquered by
circumstances.

People return very motivated. They have abandoned drugs, bad influences, and everything
that had been enslaving them. However, they give into temptation they do not know how to
deal with it.

One young man had just returned from an Encounter, and being a new student at a university,
he wanted to be accepted by his classmates. He did not want to be considered a fanatic. On
one occasion he accompanied them to a pub. His only intention was to drink lemonade, but he
ended up drinking beer, taking drugs, and once again, became enslaved by Satan.
Time passed and he left the university and his home. He began living a life of misery, selling his
clothes for drugs, and getting into fights. His arms were scared from the stab wounds and his
life marked by unhappiness.

I. WHAT IS THE WORLD ?

The world represents everything that displeases God, opposes His teaching, and is under
Satan's dominion. (1 John 5: 19).

Many philosophies, ideas, and doctrines distort or degrade Christ and His sacrifice on the cross
of Calvary. These offer a salvation not found in the Word of God, and are all manifestations of
the world.

The Apostle John points out three aspects that mark the love of this world: the desires of the
flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride of life.

“Do not love the world of the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the yes, and the
pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. I John 2:15-17

B. Lust of the flesh

These are those desires that are in us by nature and impel us to do the wrong thing. They
incite us, even from childhood, to yield to what the flesh desires. They can be described as the
satisfaction, passion or enjoyment that is felt by doing wrong things. In doing these things, we
give room to sin in our lives.

Galatians 5:17 says:

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;

and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
This shows the conflict found in every Christian life. The flesh wants one thing while the spirit
wants another. That is why it is important to nourish our spiritual man.

Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a long list of the sins of the flesh. These include sexual sins, sins
involving pagan religions such as witchcraft or idolatry and other sins relating to temperament
and character.

The fruit of the Spirit is everything that is opposite to the flesh. In relation to God, love, joy,
and peace. In relation to others: patience, kindness and goodness. In relation to ourselves:
faith, kindness and self-control.

Our goal should be that our spirit wins the battle against the flesh. Dr. Billy Graham gives us
this illustration:

"Every Saturday afternoon a fisherman would walk down into the village. He would
always take his two dogs with him. One was white and the other black. He had taught them to
fight at his command. Every week, people would gather in the town square to place bets and
watch the dogs fight.

One Saturday, the black dog would win, another Saturday the white dog would win, but the
fisherman would always win! His friends began to ask him how he did it. He said, "I let one dog
go hungry while I feed the other one. The one I feed always wins because he feels stronger."

If we want to conquer the desires of the flesh, we have pay special attention to our spirit. We
must feed it and care for it in such a way that in the face of temptation, the spirit prevails.

C. Lust of the Eye

The eyes can be a fountain of life, purity, and inspiration, or they can be an instrument of evil,
perversion, and bad desires. Dr. W.E. Vine describes them as being "the principal avenue to
temptation.” The desires of the eyes' can be described as perversions, bad intentions, and
selfish delights that include not only the sight, but also the mind and imagination.

The Bible teaches in 2 Peter 2:14:

“Having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin,…”
And in Matthew 5:27-29:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit

adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her

has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The word ‘look’ refers to the desires of the eyes, a look laden with lust, which wakens impure
images and desires in our minds. Someone once said, “The first look isn’t sinful, but the
second one is.” This second look aims to satisfy the mind’s own desires.

Beacon’s Commentary says that this type of lust is “the tendency to be captivated by the
exterior appearance of things without looking into its real worth.”

The lust of the eyes includes not only sight, but also the mind and imagination. They seek to
satisfy themselves through pornography or unedifying books, magazines, or movies.

They create an addiction that can only be quenched by giving into the pleasures of the flesh.

Generally, these desires are fed by thoughts convincing us that sin is something pleasant,
pleasurable, and desirable. We justify the sinful thought as being acceptable, as something
harmless and insignificant. And since we haven’t actually done anything, we are convinced it is
not sin. What’s more, it keeps us form seeing the consequences that our behavior may bring
to our own lives and to those that we love.

A common example is when the mind delights itself with memories of past sexual experiences,
drunkenness, parties, or gambling. The enemy shows you the fun you experienced, the
pleasures you felt, and how wonderful it would be to experience them again. These memories
are accompanied by thoughts like, "There's nothing wrong with that", "everyone is doing it" or
" I can't become a fanatic."

The mind does not concentrate on the consequences that will come sooner or later, but on
the desire and pleasures it wants to feel again.

As we can see, the influence the lust of the eye has on us is acute. They manipulate our mind
and cause us to forget what Christ did for us. That is why it is good to follow the Apostle
Paul’s counsel, when he exhorts us to walk in the Spirit and to not satisfy the desires of the
flesh.
D. Pride of life

This refers to the belief that the reason for life is found in the worldly appearance and worth of
things, and not in how God actually values them.

Pride is the illusion that leads people into superficiality, inflates their egos, and makes them
believe that their worth is based on position, money and friends.

These ‘vanities’ turn into strongholds for people who open the door to them. Vanities lead
them to believe that their own ability has given them positions of importance with their peers.

For this reason, some people climb over others in life, violating biblical principles and the will
of God. Behind their appearances they hide their insecurity.

An example of this is when you spend than you earn and live in debt even though it steals your
peace. You don't change because you want to pretend that you are rich. You buy designer
clothes, expensive mobile phones, or hang out at the most popular places. You have been led
to think that things win people's respect.

God wants us to be prosperous. When we love Him, He lifts us to a better position. God, not
His blessings, gives us our value. If we seek Him first, the rest will be added to us. God, not
money, will give us respect and authority.

II. HOW THE WORLD AFFECTS ME

The young person’s world is not a secret to anyone. It is one that offers parties, vices, sinful
passions, and a worthless and empty life.

The media (radio, press, and television) along with society, push us towards this type of
lifestyle. They trick us into believing that to have fun you must become part of their activities.
If we refuse, we are labeled as boring and bitter people. These words, ‘boring’ and ‘bitter’,
are the most commonly used words by non-Christians to pressure the believer into doing what
they want or say.

The world affects me when I give into its ways. It affects me when I take part in its dirty jokes
and perverted comments or accept its invitation to drink and party. It affects me when these
activities stop being fun and become addictive, when I end up caught in circumstances that I
want to be free from, but cannot.
For example, an ungodly relationship ends in frustration and deception, an excess of alcohol
produces sicknesses such as cirrhosis and venereal diseases, and are a result of a degenerate
and promiscuous life.

The life the world offers us is a mirror that makes us believe that it is true and fulfilling.
However, it doesn't let us see the deception and true consequences of its ways.

Jesus does not want to remove us from the world. He wants us to shine and be a light
wherever we are. He said:

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You

should keep them from the evil one.”

John 17:15

III. HOW TO FACE THE WORLD

Ephesians 5:11 says:

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose
them.”

Right from the start you need to learn how to be radical in dealing with sin. Don't ever cloud
the real issues. For example, if they offer you a drink, don't lie by saying, "No thank you, I'm on
medication and drinking could be harmful." That is not true. You are not on medication. It is
rather a matter of faith, but you are too embarrassed to tell the truth.

B. Be radical in your stand as a Christian

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established

for you; So light will shine on your ways.”

Decide beforehand what things you are not going to yield to.

For example, decide not to go to parties with non-believers or social events where
drinking and other vices predominate.

By deciding ahead of time you will avoid facing temptation and prevent yourself falling into sin.
The main thing is to decide, "No matter what happens, I will not leave the path that I have
chosen." This is determination.

When I do my part God does His. He brings His light to reveal what we should say or do.

C. Avoid spending too much time with unbelievers

They will constantly encourage you to do wrong, inciting you to turn back.

D. Look for friends that share the same purpose and goals.

Spend time with those people who challenge you and strengthen your
relationship with God.

E. Strengthen your relationship with God.

Spend time with Him daily in prayer and live in such a way that you will not leave His side.
When you are facing situations that you are uncertain and doubtful about, it will help to ask
yourself, “What would Jesus do if He were in my place?”

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the

HOW TO OVERCOME THE WORLD

1. The word ‘world’ does not refer to the literal world we live in, but rather it refers
to whatever opposes God. According to I John 5:19, who rules this world?

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2. According to I John 2:16, what are the specific things that show the love of this
world?

a.________________________________________

b.________________________________________

c.________________________________________

3. I John 2:15 says this concerning the world (tick the right answer):

a. We should hide from it.

b. We should love and care for it.

c. We should not love it.

d. We should accept it and live by it.

4. What are the desires of the flesh?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________
5. In every Christian, a battle rages between the flesh and the spirit. What should we
do if we want to conquer the desires of the flesh?

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

6. The desires of the eyes include not only sight, but also the imagination. How do
these desires try to satisfy themselves?

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

7. What is most valuable to those who live out of pride?

_________________________________________________________

8. Jesus does not want us to be influenced by the world. On the contrary, we are to
shine and be a light wherever we are. In John 17:15, what did Jesus ask of the
Father concerning His disciples?

a. That they would stay indoors so a to not be tempted

b. That they would sin, but only a very little bit

c. That they would doe so they would not sin

d. That He would not take them out of the world but rather guard them from evil

REMEMBER,

WE STILL LIVE IN THIS WORLD, SO IT IS NECESSARY

TO DETERMINE WHAT THINGS WE WILL NOT YIELD TO.

9. What things in this world will I not give into?

a. ________________________________

b. ________________________________
10. From the very start we have to be radical when it comes to sin, honestly showing
who we now are. According to Ephesians 5:11:

a. What should I not do?

____________________________________________________________

b. What should I do?

____________________________________________________________

11. From now on, it is best that your friends be (tick the right answer):

a. Those who challenge you and strengthen your relationship with God

b. Those who are caught in the world's deceit suffering the consequences

c. Those who continually pressure you to turn back

REMEMBER, IN DOUBTFUL OR UNCERTAIN

SITUATIONS ASK YOURSELF,

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IF HE WERE IN MY PLACE?