Seven Stages of Every Temptation

A mentor shared this information with me a couple years ago and I ran across it this morning. I believe there is someone, somewhere struggling to release some bad habits and the information below can assist you in the process.

Seven Stages of Every Temptation

1. The Look – “When he is drawn away”
2. The Lust – “by his own desires”
3. The Lure – “and enticed”
4. The Conception – “when desire has conceived”
5. The Birth – “it gives birth to sin”
6. The Growth – “and sin, when it is full-grown”
7. The Death – “brings forth death”

James 1:14-15 – But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Secret to stage one: Draw back instantly when you sense you’re being drawn away.
Secret to stage two: Every temptation can only tempt you because of your personal desire.
Secret to stage three: Quench improper desire by stopping all internal enticements and fleeing all external enticements.
Secret to stage four: Decide ahead of time not to sin and never permit yourself to think of one good reason to commit the sin, and you’ll never know the choice to sin.
Secret to stage five: If you’re about to commit the sin, force yourself to submit to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and abort the sin before it’s too late.
Secret to stage six: Every sin you commit digs your grave deeper. Therefore, never believe the lie that says “just let me sin this one more time and then I’ll give it up.” Every sin strengthens itself against you for the next time.
Secret to stage seven: Regardless of the degree of bondage you are under, the work of Christ is sufficient to set you free completely.

*Three Phases of Enticement
Desire (feelings) => Defend (thoughts) => Decide (choices)

Desire Phase: you experience growing emotional attraction to the temptation and you feel strongly that you want to respond to it.
Defend Phase: you rationalize why committing this sin is really justified.
Decide Phase: you make your final choice.