Expert: Paul Walker - 4/4/2009

Question
How can A person get away from the things of this world?pornography,worldy music,bad friends,over all temptation

Answer
Dear Tony,

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:21-23  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, EVIL IS PRESENT WITH ME.  (22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  (23)  BUT I SEE ANOTHER LAW IN MY MEMBERS, WARRING AGAINST THE LAW OF MY MIND, AND BRINGING ME INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE LAW OF SIN WHICH IS IN MY MEMBERS.

A very good question, which I will attempt to help you with. As you can see from the verses above, sin is with us always. Let us start with a few more verses, all are from the KJV; which I highly recommend you get and study.

Mat 26:41  WATCH AND PRAY, THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION: the spirit indeed is willing, but THE FLESH IS WEAK.

We have to be mindful of the problem, the lust of the flesh, and make every attempt to walk not in the lust thereof but in the spirit.

Gal 5:16-17  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, AND YE SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUST OF THE FLESH.  (17)  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Jas 1:13-14  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  (14)  But EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGs.

A little commentary on my part is now in order. Personally, I was not raised in Church, but trusted the Lord when 26 years of age, an NCO in the Marine Corp. I did not know what the Bible was at that time. I say this to emphasize the fact that I had a lot of sin in me and in my mind. It has been very difficult at times for me to keep from wandering from walking in the spirit. However, I have learn a few things that are required to walk in the spirit.

1st, naturally, seek after the Lord, read and study God's word. You cannot understand the Bible until you know the Bible. Strength comes from knowing God, through his word and experience walking with him by faith.

2nd, and this will not work if your not doing number 1, keep yourself from ungodly influences. Forget the movies and TV (choose only those things that educate or edify), stop listening to worldly music, etc. Along with reading the Bible learn some hymns and sing praises to God. There is plenty to occupy your time with without these things, find them and keep busy.

James 4:8  DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

3rd, Idle hands are The Devil's workshop. There is so much to do, again, keep your self occupied in doing right and you will not have the time to do wrong. There is studying, education, gardening, hobbies, etc. Improve yourself for God's service.

Denying ourselves is the primary goal if we are to be God's servants, always put God and others before yourself. You will miss many blessings and opportunities simply worrying about you and your immediate concerns or problems.

Romans 13:13-14  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  (14)  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, TO FULFIL THE LUSTS THEREOF.

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD;  (13)  LOOKING FOR that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2 Corinthians 10:3-5  For though we walk in the flesh, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH:  (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST;

If it were easy there would be no rewards in the end, but there are, so run the race set before you, run it to win.

Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US,

1 Corinthians 9:24-25  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN.  (25)  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but WE AN INCORRUPTIBLE.

I have run a little long so I will end here. I am not given much time to respond to questions so it is a challenge to try to put together a polished version. However, I hope this helps and please feel free to follow up on anything I have said.

Your Servant In Christ Jesus,

Paul Walker