76. Seek God First by Overcoming Temptation and Strengthening Your Daily Walk

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic we all wrestle with: temptation and how to seek God first, especially when emotions or distractions pull us away.

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from God, anxious, or overwhelmed by temptation, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways
1. Recognize Temptation Early
Temptation starts small but can grow if left unchecked.
• Scripture: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” — James 1:14-15
• Practical Tip: Journal your thoughts and reflect on moments when you felt tempted. Identify patterns and ask God for guidance in those areas.
2. Be Proactive and Prepared
God always provides a way out of temptation.
• Scripture: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
• Action Step: Memorize scripture and pray in moments of temptation, asking God to strengthen your resolve.
3. The Power of Accountability
Walking with others in faith helps us overcome struggles.
• Scripture: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
• Reflection: Who can you trust to walk alongside you? Pray for God to bring that person into your life.
4. Confess, Pray, and Stay in the Light
Confession and prayer bring healing and help us stay close to God.
• 
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” — Matthew 26:41
• Reminder: Temptation isn’t sin. It reveals areas of weakness where God can work to strengthen you.
5. Rest in God’s Strength
True victory over temptation comes from relying on God, not your own strength.
• “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
• Encouragement: Lean into God’s grace when you feel weak, and let His power carry you through.

Journal Challenge
This week, set aside 5 minutes a day to journal moments when you felt tempted. Reflect on these questions:
• What triggered your reaction?
• How did you feel in the moment?
• What could you have done differently to lean on God?
Remember, this is not about guilt—it’s about aligning your thoughts with God’s truth and growing stronger in Him.

Call to Action
If this episode encouraged you:
• Share it with a friend who needs it.
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group or leave a comment with your insights.
• Ready to grow deeper in your faith? Book a Discovery Call with me to take the next step in your journey.

Thank you for listening! 

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Transcript

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Welcome to the show, especially if you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, temptation, or struggles in your relationship with God. Because you're not alone just last week. I had a moment when someone else. well, intention comment left me feeling hopeless about a situation that I had been praying for someone from my church. And it caught me off guard for a moment. Actually, I led out creep in. And I had to wrestle with those feelings. For a little bit. And then God being faithful. Reminded me through his word that my hope is not in people, but in him alone. I stumbled upon Psalm 62 verse five that says rest in God alone. Oh, my soul for my hope comes from him. It's strengthened me and I wanted to share that hope with you today. So in this episode, we'll be talking about how to seek God first, especially when emotions, distractions, or temptations, try to pull us away. And together we'll create a biblical plan to recognize and overcome temptation. Strengthened our daily walk with God and grow closer to him. So Let's dive in. Welcome to Curious for Christ. Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, wondering about God's plan for your life? Maybe you wake up with big dreams, but feel unsure where to start or what your next step should be. If you're curious about exploring your faith and finding purpose, then you've come to the right place. Hi, I'm Alexandra. I too felt lost, unsure of the direction my life was taking. I yearned to understand my purpose and have someone guide me. But I kept telling myself I was too busy, the timing wasn't right, and my lack of clarity prevented me from being consistent, until I found Christ. He brought peace into my life and revealed the way to find purpose, by anchoring myself In this podcast, we'll journey together exploring the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of Him and cultivate your own personal relationship with Christ. So open up your Bible, put in those earbuds and listen up because God is speaking to you. He is making everything new and you don't want to miss it. Let's get started. So number one, recognize the temptation and sin. The first step to overcoming temptation is recognizing it early. The Bible tells us how sin starts small and grows when we don't address it. James one verses 14 and 15 says, but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin. When it is full-grown. Gifts birth to death. So think about those moments when fear or doubt creeps in. Like when you're overly concerned about what others think or let your emotions guide you instead of God, these are the moments to stop and recognize that temptation before it grows into something larger. So here's a practical tip. Journaling can help you identify patterns of temptation. So let your thoughts flow freely and reflect on what. Led to moments where you chose your own way or gave into temptation. Pre beforehand, you can ask God to guide your writing. This practice can reveal insights and help you better understand yourself. It is very crucial that we are aware of ourselves and our triggers. Number two. Prepare for temptation. Once we recognize temptation, we can prepare for it. And that is crucial. God reminds us that he will always provide a way out. No temptation common to mankind and God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. First Corinthians 10 verse 13. What does this look like in practice? It means. Identifying your triggers, like certain conversations or environments and planning, how you will respond. Maybe it's stepping away from a situation or quoting a scripture to, we focus your mind on God. So try this. Memorize a verse like this one from first Corinthians that I just read. And repeated when temptation strikes. A quick prayer also, like Lord helped me choose you over this moment. Or how would you like me to answer in this very moment? God, show me what you, you would say or what you would do instead of me going after what I would do. A small prayer can be a powerful tool. Numbers to be the power of accountability and friendship. God never meant for us to walk this journey alone and having a trusted friend or mentor who shares your faith can make a big difference. They can pray for you, hold you accountable and remind you of God's truth. When you're struggling, someone you can call in a moment also. Two are better than one. Because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up, but pity, anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Says Ecclesiastes. He's four verses nine and 10. So think of someone in your life who can support you in this way. If you don't have someone pray for God to bring the right person into your life Or if you have someone in mind, take the next step to reach out. And if it is me. I would be more than honored. You can email me at hello at Alexandra Alvarez, coaching.com. And let me know what you need. I'm always here for you. Number four. Confess, pray and stay in the light. One of the most powerful ways to overcome temptation is through confession and prayer. Don't let shame keep you from being open. When we confess our struggles to others. We invite God's forgiveness and state in his light. First John one verse nine says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus also reminds us to watch and pray to avoid falling into temptation. Matthew 26 verse 41 says, watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Don't be afraid to come to God with your weaknesses. He is faithful to forgive and strengthen you. And let me remind you that temptation is not a sin. Jesus was tempted to. I view temptations as an opportunity to explore the areas of weaknesses that I still have. So that I can be aware of them and prepare better. Number five. Rest in God's love and strength. Finally, remember that overcoming temptation. Isn't about relying on your own strengths. It's about resting in God's grace. When you feel weak and overwhelmed, let his power carry you through. But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak. Then I am strong. Second Corinthians 12 verses nine to 10 scripture is so counter intuitive. We need scripture to overcome our temptations. And take comfort in knowing that God's strength is enough. When you depend on him. You'll find a peace and power to resist temptation and grow in your face. So let's recap the five step to overcoming temptation. Number one. Recognize the temptation early. Number two, be proactive and prepared. Number three, seek accountability through friendship. Number four confess, pray and state in the light. And then finally five rest in God's love and strength. If there's one thing I want to leave you with this week. It's awareness. Take time to observe yourself without judgment. Awareness is the first step to getting stronger in God. This week, I challenge you to journal for just five minutes a day. We flecked on moments when you felt tempted to doubt given, make unnecessary purchases, spend time with people you shouldn't or act in anger. Write down what triggered those reactions don't judge them, just write down what triggered those reaction, what your thoughts were and how you were feeling in those moments. And as you do this, remember, it's not about guilt. It's about aligning your thoughts with God's truth and not believing every thought. That comes to mind, even your feelings. I would love for you to share your insights in the comments or in the Facebook group at. B I T dot L Y four slash curious for Christ community. And if you're ready to take the next step in your transformation journey with God book a discovery call with me at B I T dot L Y Ford's. Ford slash curious for Christ discovery. I would love and be honored to walk alongside you in this journey of growth. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for always being with us in the face of temptation, help us to recognize the moments that pull us away from you and to turn to your truth instead, strengthen us when we are weak and remind us to depend on your grace daily. Thank you for your forgiveness and love in Jesus name. I pray eight men. Thank you for listening to curious for Christ. If this episode encouraged you share it with a friend who might need it. And let's continue seeking God together. By my friend. Hi, I hope you enjoyed today's episode. If so, would you like to take 30 seconds and share it with a friend who may also struggle with knowing God and His purpose for their life. Also, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Podcast, and let me know what topics you'd like to hear about in the future. Your voice matters. I'll meet you back next Friday for another episode.