Winning the Battle Within (Gal 5.16-17) - 6-11-23

June 11, 2023Psalm 19.12-14 and Galatians 5.16-17. Winning the Battle Within1. To win the battle within, pray not to be led into temptation - Matt 6.13a. Temptation is a gateway to sin and a trap to be avoided.b. In life, avoid people, places, or things that may entice us to do wrong - James 1.14-152. To win the battle within, pray not to fall/slip into temptation - Matt 26.41-42a. Spiritual battle of good and evil; spirit and flesh.b. O wretched man that I am. I have a Deliverer. Jesus - Rom 7.22-25c. We may not go looking for temptation. We do the right things to avoid it. But we must be prepared for temptation looking for us. We pray we do not fall into temptation/traps.3. To win the battle within, pray that you don't miss the way out of temptation - 1Cor 10.12-13a. Even when the trap is set by the enemy, God provides a way out. We always have a choice.b. If you find yourself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people, call the LORD and ask Him to deliver you from evil. God provides a way out!Conclusion - In the words of a great lady I know, Lady Toni Nwankwo, "Once you've been delivered, stay delivered." In other words, don't go back to where, or what, or who brought you down. The shackles are loosed, and the chains are broken. Leave them off. Walk in the newness of life!We always have a choice. The more time we spend with the LORD, the better decisions we will make, and we will become better at winning the battle within. Amen. Invitation to Christ.