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Overcoming Temptation
Overcoming Sin, Transformation &
"I can do ALL things through Christ!"
Daily Overcoming Sin, Victory & Fighting Temptation Quote Christian Courage and Peace Quote
Directory for Overcoming Temptation Authors:
T. Austin-Sparks Dan Augsburger Daniel Bourdeau S L Brengle Fenelon
Are you interested in experiencing God's transforming power? Be encouraged, you have neither the wisdom or the strength to overcome—you are utterly unable; But Jesus has both! He said, "Without Me ye can do nothing," but with Him you can do ALL things. The following materials will help you in that quest.
Organized by Subject Basic Christianity
Anonymous: Turn Your Life Over to God Sin
J. C. Ryle: "Sin" (Taken from his book Holiness)
Meade MacGuire: "Abide in Christ"
L. E. Maxwell: "Fact, Faith, Feeling"
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Hannah Whithall Smith: The Problematic Nature of Our Transient Feelings
Indwelling Christ
Austin-Sparks: Christ Our Life
" The New Testament makes it unmistakably clear and emphatic that the destiny of all is to be “Christ all and in all.” We must learn that a true work of the Spirit of God is to attach everything to Christ Himself. He, Christ, must be the life of our spirit, the “inner man,” so that we are strong in the Lord: not in ourselves, nor in others, nor in things. We shall have to survive adversity by His strength within alone. Christ will have to be the life of our mind. Perplexity will find us without the power to explain and understand, but the Spirit will teach and lead. Christ will need to be life for our bodies. There is such a thing as Divine life for the physical body. Not always does the Lord choose to heal the body, but He does always want to be its life, even in suffering, to fulfill His purpose. It is the Lord Himself, and for this to be so, it often has to be against a background of natural inability." Read the rest of Christ Our Life
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Ruth Paxson: Christ in You Hudson Taylor: Exchanged Life Major Ian Thomas: Prairie Audio Series Major Ian Thomas: Saving Life of Christ Audio Series J C Ryle: Christ is All
"Alas, there are many of the Lord’s people who live far below their privileges! There are many truly Christian souls who rob themselves of their own peace and forsake their own mercies. There are many who insensibly join their own faith, or the work of the Spirit in their own hearts, to Christ, and so miss the fulness of Gospel peace. There are many who make little progress in their pursuit of holiness, and shine with a very dim light. And why is all this? Simply because in nineteen cases out of twenty men do not make Christ all in all. Now I call on every reader of this paper who is a believer, I beseech him for his own sake, to make sure that Christ is really and thoroughly his all in all. Beware of allowing yourself to mingle anything of your own with Christ." Read more of Ryle's Christ is All...
Francis Ridley Havergal: Christ For Us "Think of this will as always and altogether on our side—always working for us, and in us, and with us, if we will only let it; think of it as always and only synonymous with infinitely wise and almighty love; think of it as undertaking all for us, from the great work of our eternal salvation down to the momentary details of guidance and supply, and do we not feel utter shame and self-abhorrence at ever having hesitated for an instant to give up our tiny, feeble, blind will, to be—not crushed, not even bent, but blent with His glorious and perfect Will?" (Read all of Havergal's Christ for us)
Salvation
J. C. Ryle Consecration
Jonathan Edwards: His Dedication to God Surrender S. D. Gordon: "Not My Crutches"
"She was in the last pew alone. She listened, and she said: "I wish I could give something, but I can't. I haven't got even a copper." Rosalind Goforth: Surrenders Her Children Overcoming Temptation Dan Augsburger: Overcoming Temptation
Hannah Whithall Smith: Discovering Victory
"When temptation comes, if I turn at once to Him, breathing this prayer: ‘Lord, save me. I cannot save myself from this sin, but Thou canst and wilt,’ He never fails me. Either He completely changes my feelings in the case, or He causes me to forget all about it, and my victory, or rather His victory is entire. This is a secret of the Christian life that I never knew before" Gerhard Tersteegen: Warning Admonition Against Temptation Thomas Watson: Temptations Work for Good
John Bunyan: Finds Victory
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John Newton: Spiritual Growth Overcoming Sin and Victory Dan Augsburger: The More Abundant Life (Sermon Series)
Dan Augsburger: Overcoming Sin and Fighting Temptation
Charles Finney: How to Overcome Sin
F J Huegel: Christ's Victory Our Victory Frank Phillips: His Robe Or Mine (Book) Frank Phillips: Justified Walk (9 Sermon WOP Series) Frank Phillips: Righteousness By Faith Frank Phillips: The Branch and the Vine
Hannah Whithall Smith: Discovering Victory Gerhard Tersteegen: True Godliness
Charles Trumbull: Victory In Christ
Unknown Christian: The Victorious Life Octavius Winslow: Healing For the Sick-Sick Soul
Overcoming for Children
Dying to self is an important, but often misunderstood concept in Christian growth. It isn't something we can do for ourselves, but it is necessary just the same, and was mandated by Jesus in his conversation with the rich young ruler who wondered what he lacked to inherit eternal life. A variety of thoughts, quotations, and books will be featured here. Surrender and "dying to self" speak of a similar, but not identical thing, in many cases an ongoing process. Surrender speaks of a decision or choice for Christ and following Him, and can be progressive as a person increasingly surrenders. Read more in the introductory section. Fenelon "... A fourth step consists in a cessation or death to that repugnance which men naturally feel to those dealings of God which are involved in the process of inward crucifixion. The blows which God sends upon us are received without the opposition which once existed and existed oftentimes with great power. So clear is the soul’s perception of God’s presence in everything; so strong is its faith, that those apparently adverse dealings, which were once so exceedingly trying, are now received, not merely with acquiescence, but with cheerfulness. It kisses the hand that smites it...." (Read more from Fenelon's letter to Madam Guyon on dying to self) Introductory Thoughts on Dying to Self
I have in my possession a book that reviews five different understandings of sanctification, including the Wesley, Reformed, Pentecostal, Keswick and Augustinian-Dispensational Perspective. Needless to say numerous books have been written on the subject, the most famous, perhaps being Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection. Where lies the truth on this subject? What is meant by perfection? Is such a thing even possible? I believe God can bring about a sanctifying work of perfection through His power, and I will add articles and chapters on the subject from time to time. This very helpful article lists four key indicators of spirituality in the life of David Brainerd.
Dangers of the Victorious Life
Many dangers come with this life. As a result several writers included chapters on the dangers and how to meet them. Here are four such chapters compiled on one page.
Unpardonable Sin (Sinning Against the Holy Spirit)
E. White: The Unpardonable Sin
Organized by Author
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T. Austin-Sparks was born in London, England in 1888 and was educated in both England and Scotland. At the age of 25 he was ordained as a pastor. A crisis caused him to leave the denomination with which he was affiliated and he dropped the title of "Reverend." Based in Honor Oak, London, he published a bi-monthly magazine called "A Witness and A Testimony" from 1923 until his death in 1971. He spoke little of himself, preferring to focus all attention on Christ.
Dan Augsburger
His Robe Or Mine (The study guide)
The More Abundant Life (Sermon series) Overcome Sin and Temptation (A sermon)
Daniel Bourdeau (1835-1905)
Ordained to the pastoral ministry in 1858, Daniel Bourdeau spent many years doing evangelism in the New England region of the United States, as well as Canada. He also organized French-speaking churches in Wisconsin and Illinois. He also participated in evangelism in Europe.
Daniel Bourdeau: Holiness S L Brengle
On Dying to Self (From a letter he sent to Madam Guyon)
Charles Finney: How to Overcome Sin (from Power From On High)
"In my early Christian life I was very nearly misled by one of President Edwards’s resolutions, which was, in substance, that when he had fallen into any sin he would trace it back to its source, and then fight and pray against it with all his might until he subdued it. This, it will be perceived, is directing the attention to the overt act of sin, its source or occasions. Resolving and fighting against it fastens the attention on the sin and its source, and diverts it entirely from Christ...." (Read more from this helpful chapter) S D Gordon
Huegel served as a chaplain and missionary, the first in World War I and the second for twenty-five years in Mexico. He wrote several books on victory, the best known being Bone of His Bone.
Top J. Gregory Mantle
The Believer's Gift to God
Business Owner's Testimony on Surrender The Commital The Dedicated Life Holy Ground The Ministry of Suffering The Sure Shepherd The Surrendered Life The Three-Fold Secret of the Holy Spirit Yielded Life
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Andrew Murray
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Ruth Paxson
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Frank Phillips: Pastor Frank Phillips served the church he loved for over 45 years in a variety of pastoral and leadership positions. Upon retiring Pastor Phillips devoted the next ten years to sharing the message of righteousness by faith that had been so life-changing for him. In these revivals his wife Dorothy was his constant companion. He was a popular speaker and many individuals experienced new life as a result. Most of the time Pastor Phillips held one-week revivals that typically consisted of nine to ten sessions. Fortunately many of these revivals were recorded and thus preserved for our use. I became personally acquainted with Pastor Phillips in 1978 when I invited him to hold a week of prayer at Andrews University. From that time we began corresponding and sharing varioius studies back and forth. Over the years he sent me tapes of his series, as well as a manuscript that he had not been able to publish.
Frank Phillips' Teachings
Some Letters sent by Pastor Phillips to Dan in the 1980s. Books Frank Phillips Recommended Frank Phillips' "Circle" Handout Frank Phillip's "Ladder" Handout His Robe Or Mine (Testimonial) His Robe Or Mine or pdf to download (English Book) His Robe Or Mine (Russian Book) His Robe Or Mine (Portuguese Book) His Robe Or Mine (Malagasy) His Robe Or Mine (French) His Robe Or Mine (Romanian Book) His Robe Or Mine Study Guide (The Study Guides by Dan Augsburger) Justified Walk (9 Sermon WOP Series and study notes by Cheryl Hosford) Righteousness By Faith, Sandy OR, 1978 (10 Sermon Series) The Branch and the Vine
(6 Sermons)
Arthur Pink
Arthur Pink (1886-1952) was a pastor, evangelist and Bible scholar who was relatively unknown in his day. However, the posthumous publication of his books eventually made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century. In his early days he was a theosophist involved in an occultic gnostic group. However his father’s ongoing sharing of scripture—particularly Proverbs 14:12 (“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”) brought about his conversion. He studied at the Moody Bible Institute, pastored churches in Colorado, California, Kentucky, South Carolina, Great Britain and Australia. In addition to his work as pastor, he also published the “Studies in Scripture newsletter, and wrote books and pamphlets. He died in Scotland as a result of anemia. Arthur Pink: Beauty of Holiness
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J. C. Ryle John Charles Ryle (1816-1900) served as a bishop with the Anglican Church in Liverpool England. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He wrote many books, including Christian Leaders of the 18th Century, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Holiness—considered by many the BEST book ever written on the subject, and Principles for Churchmen. His conversion came in 1838 through hearing a reading of Ephesians 2 in church.
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Hannah Whithall Smith
Hannah Whithall Smith: Discover Victory
"When temptation comes, if I turn at once to Him, breathing this prayer: ‘Lord, save me. I cannot save myself from this sin, but Thou canst and wilt,’ He never fails me. Either He completely changes my feelings in the case, or He causes me to forget all about it, and my victory, or rather His victory is entire. This is a secret of the Christian life that I never knew before." Hannah Whithall Smith: The Problematic Nature of Our Transient Feelings She shares why examining our feelings to deterimine our spirituality is so problematic.
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Hudson Taylor The Exchanged Life comes from the book Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor. In this oft-quoted chapter they reference a letter which Hudson Taylor sent to his sister describing the wonderful things God was doing in his life. From this time, where Hudson Taylor had previoiusly been a struggling Christian, he was now enjoy victory and peace like he had always longed for, and, WAS a happy Christian! Read the "Exchanged Life" from the Taylors' book, then read the introduction and the key "Holiness" chapter from Christ is All by Henry Law, from which the quotation that played such an important role was quoted.
Remember to read Law's chapter as well (below)
In his letter, Hudson Taylor mentions receiving a letter from a friend by the name of "Macarthy" that contained life-changing words regarding what Jesus' indwelling meant so far as holiness was concerned. Loving the old books of these great Christians, I've been busily searching to find the book quoted, and for a time thought it was in the book Christ is all by Stephen Tyng (that's what is usually mentioned around the web). Obtaining Tyng's Christ is All finally, I was disappointed to NOT find the quotation. Then I used "Google books" and searched for a few key words, and FOUND the source of the quotation: Christ is All: The Pentateuch by Henry Law. Not only was Taylor impacted by this quotation, but I'm guessing Andrew Murray must have read Law's book and quoted from it as well. I've enclosed the "Holiness" chapter (#8) from Law's book. Law, by the way, is considered one of the most Christ-centered authors of past times. Read and enjoy! Hudson Tayor later sent Harriet Beecher Stowe's How To Live On Christ to all the CIM missionaries. The identity of this book has been a mystery for many years. Using Google books I discovered the quoted text in an introduction that Stowe wrote for a book by Christopher Dean. I am fairly certain the introduction to Dean's book formed the basis of the booklet which Taylor sent out since some of the reading is so similar to the wording he used in describing his experience. Read the introduction for yourself.
True Godliness (This is the BEST description I have ever read on the subject!)
Warning Admonition Against Temptation (On what to avoid) Major Ian Thomas
Victory In Christ (This somewhat biographically-oriented book is a favorite of many on the subject of victory)
The Life That Wins (This is the most famous chapter from Victory in Christ, which was sold as a pamphlet for many years, and is the pamphlet which Rosalind Goforth cites as the life-changing reading in her experience)
The "Unknown Christian" was a British pastor who chose to remain anonymous. He wrote many books on a variety of practical subjects as a result of the questions that were being sent to him. The other book that is well known is the Kneeling Christian, which is also wonderful, and is available on the prayer page of this site.
The Victorious Life pdf (This is one of the BEST books I have read on the subject of victory!)
Henry Venn: Thoughts on a Weak Faith
Henry Venn served as a pastor in the middle of the 1700s, and was considered one of the better speakers of his time.
Octavius Winslow
Winslow (1808-1878) is a much loved writer of the deep things of God. There is a sweetness about his writing that is touching and live-changing. He was born in England, raised in the US, but returned to London where he was a highly regarded pastor. Octavius Winslow: Healing For the Sick-Sick Soul Top
Ellen White
Ellen White (1827-1915) was born in Gorham Maine. Her family moved to Portland, Maine, where she sustained a serious injury at the age of ten as a result of a stone hitting her in the head. She was in a coma for three weeks and spent the next six years trying to regain her health. As a result she only attended school for three years.
She came to believe that Jesus would be returning in the 1840s as a result of the preaching of William Miller, who pointed out what seemed to be clear prophetic teaching in the books of Daniel and Revelation. Thousands of Christians from all denominations—especially Baptists and Methodists—embraced this teaching, and many were excommunicated from their churches as a result. Jesus obviously did not come as expected, and she like many others struggled to know what had happened. Some gave up their new found confidence in Bible prophecy, others however did not lose confidence because they had seen too many genuine conversions and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit to ignore what had taken place before. They were also aware that individuals all over the world had independently come to the same conclusions as they had studied the same prophecies. All of these factors pointed to a genuine work of God. Eventually some came to believe that instead of Jesus returning to earth in the 1840s, He began a special work in heaven that would result in judgment being given in favor of God's people (Rev. 6:9,10; Dan. 7:21,22) prior to Jesus returning the second time (1 Pet. 4:17). At that time she joined a loose confederation of believers who shared certain beliefs but had not formally organized themselves into a denomination. The "Seventh-day Adventist" denomination only came into being in the 1860s. Ellen White went on to be used of God in great ways on behalf of the believers who maintained their belief in the historic method of understanding Bible prophecy. She wrote more than 40 books and 5,000 periodical articles. She also received what were apparently visions from God from time to time. The heavenly communications were practical, brought beneficial improvements, and were attested to by many individuals. These visions still impact society the world over in our day, though few realize it. She was greatly respected in her day as a humble Christian who lived for Jesus. Regarding beneficial improvements, she strongly promoted a lifestyle of health and medical intervention that resulted in the construction of the Western Health Reform Institute in 1866 in Battle Creek Michigan. Later the Battle Creek Sanitarium was constructed and became the leading healthcare organization of the time, to which Presidents and prominent business people came. It was at Battle Creek Sanitarium that breakfast cereal was invented. It was there that John Havey Kellogg became one of the leading physicians of his time, being an early adopter of more efficacious ways of performing surgeries and medical procedures. It was a result of her influence that changes were made in lifestyle and diet that resulted in Seventh-day Adventists living on average ten years longer than the normal population. Recently members were identified as one of three groups of people who live longer than others. (see the National Geographic Article on Aging). A Major news publication (February 2009 U.S. News and World Report recently published the following in a list of 10 healthful habits that may help people to live to one hundred: “Live like a Seventh-day Adventist. . . . Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They’re also very focused on family and community.” As a result of her influence educational institutions were also developed that were highly regarded in her day. Her books are many and read by individuals of all denominations. Her book on the life of Christ, Desire of Ages, is on a "top ten" list of books read by pastors according to a survey taken by the Barna group. Other popular books include Steps to Christ and the Great Controversy. Among her fans was Paul Havey who frequently mentioned her on his program: “Women have been honored on American postage stamps for more than 100 years, starting with one woman who was not an American, Queen Isabella, in 1893. Since then, 86 women have been honored, ranging from Martha Washington to Marilyn Monroe. Also many women authors like Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickenson, Willa Cather, and Rachel Carson. But I can name an American woman author who has never been honored thus, though her writings have been translated into 148 languages. More than Marx or Tolstoy, more than Agatha Christie, more than William Shakespeare. Only now is the world coming to appreciate her recommended prescription for optimum spiritual and physical health.” Notice the following from other sources:
In 1959, Florence Stratemeyer, professor of Education at Columbia University in New York, stated, "Recently the book Education by Ellen G. White has been brought to my attention. Written at the turn of the century, this volume was more than fifty years ahead of its times."
Dr. Clive McCay, professor of nutrition at Cornell University, stated regarding Mrs. White’s books Counsels on Diet and Foods and The Ministry of Healing, "In spite of the fact that the works of Mrs. White were written long before the advent of modern scientific nutrition, no better over-all guide is available today." Hearing that others charged her with copying from others, he retorted: “Nonsense! I simply cannot accept that explanation: it creates a much bigger problem than it resolves! If she merely copied her contemporaries, how did she know which ideas to borrow and which to reject, out of the bewildering array of theories and health teachings current in the 19th century? Most were quite irrational and have now been repudiated! She would have had to be a most amazing person, with knowledge beyond her times, in order to do this successfully.” Dr. McCay was not a member of the church. The accuracy of the medical and scientific information revealed to this humble woman a hundred years ago has been attested to by the most advanced medical authorities today. Now the United States government is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to find out why Seventh-day Adventists live longer than any other group of people in America. News commentator Paul Harvey observed, "Combine all causes of death, and Seventh-day Adventists have death rates 50 percent lower than that of the general United States population." She lived and worked in New England, Michigan, Australia and California, and died in 1915. She was loved and hated. Sadly, some of the people who were her strongest supporters later turned against her when she would not support their personal agendas or took them to task for views that she felt were not in harmony with the Bible—which she personally believed was THE BOOK that believers should look to for wisdom from God. Though she wrote many books and had what appeared to be visions from God, she always placed her books at a lower level than the Bible. It isn't surprising that someone who was so used by God would also be attacked by Satan. Perhaps you are unacquainted with her. Instead of reading about her, read one of her books for yourself and see why so many who have read her books have come to realize that there is something more than usual in her ministry. Here are some favorite books: True Sanctification (Clear teaching on why it is the work of a lifetime) New Resources |
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