“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Cor. 10:13 NLT)

Don’t cheat on your spouse 

“You must not commit adultery.” (Exo. 20:14 NLT)

“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” (Heb. 13:4 NLT) 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27-28 NIV) 

Don’t cheat others

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exo. 20:17 NLT) 

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” (Lev. 19:11 ESV)

“The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” (Prov. 11:1 NLT)

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,  a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Prov. 16:16-19 NIV)

Don’t cheat God

“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” (Acts 5:1-9 NIV)

Cheaters are wrongdoers and will not inherit the kingdom of God 

“Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:8-11 NIV)

Therefore…

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Prov. 10:9 ESV)

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Rom. 13:8 NLT)

Quotes:

“The more people rationalize cheating, the more it becomes a culture of dishonesty. And that can become a vicious, downward cycle. Because suddenly, if everyone else is cheating, you feel a need to cheat, too.” - Stephen Covey 

“The first and worst of all, fraud is to cheat one's self. All sin is easy after that.” - Pearl Bailey

“Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day comes when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well -he has changed his market -cart into a chariot of the sun.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26 NIV)

Draw near to the throne of grace

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16 ESV)

When you are weak then you are strong 

“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.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29 NIV)

Therefore…

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV)

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26 ESV)

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Eph. 6:10 ESV)

Quotes:

“No one enjoys feeling weak, whether it is emotionally, spiritually or physically. There is something within the human spirit that wants to resist the thought of weakness. Many times this is nothing more than our human pride at work. Just as weakness carries a great potential for strength, pride carries an equally great potential for defeat.” - Charles Stanley 

“Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength.” - Dwight L. Moody

“For men have no taste for (God's power) till they are convinced of their need of it and they immediately forget its value unless they are conditionally reminded by awareness of their own weakness.” - John Calvin

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Prov. 12:25 ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

 Cast all your anxieties on the Lord

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

 Therefore…

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25 ESV)

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34 ESV) 

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22 ESV)

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 ESV)

 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)

 Quotes:

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” - Charles Spurgeon

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.” - Hudson Taylor

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalms 37:23-24 NIV)

Stand firm and let nothing move you

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV)

Stand firm in your faith, stay strong, resist the devil

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13 ESV)

Have courage because God goes with you and will never leave you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:6-8 NIV)

Stand firm in the Spirit

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…” (Phil. 

1:27 ESV)

Therefore… 

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Phil. 4:1 ESV)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11 ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10 NIV)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1 ESV)

Quotes:

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” - Abraham Lincoln

“There is only one secure foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil. No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.” - Charles Stanley

“Who stands firm? Only the one for whom the final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible action: the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an answer to God's question and call.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9 NIV) 

Followers must not bully others 

It’s interesting that the Bible gives clear and strong direction about how God’s people should treat each other rather than dealing with those who are not followers of Christ. This shouldn’t be surprising, because the ungodly (the unregenerate, the unsaved, the natural man) are controlled only by their flesh. We as born again followers are to be led by Gods Word and Spirit. Therefore, we must always treat others in a kind and Christlike manner. 

“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” (1 John 3:15 ESV)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29 ESV)

If you are bullied, remember that your fight is not physical but spiritual

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12 NLT)

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NIV)

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:18 ESV)

“…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Prov. 24:16 NIV)

Therefore… 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 NIV)

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:44-45 NIV)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7 ESV)

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” (Matt. 5:11 NLT)

Quotes:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34)

“I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Fight the good fight of faith, and God will give you spiritual mercies. - George Whitefield

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Gen. 2:18 ESV)

God is always with you

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 ESV)

He will not leave you or forsake you

“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”(Psalm 27:10 ESV)

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 ESV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV)

He sets the lonely in families

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psalm 68:5-6 NIV)

Therefore…

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa 41:10 ESV)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Quote:

“Loneliness comes over us sometimes as a sudden tide. It is one of the terms of our humanness, and, in a sense, therefore, incurable. Yet I have found peace in my loneliest times not only through acceptance of the situation, but through making it an offering to God, who can transfigure it into something for the good of others.” – Elizabeth Elliott

“Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isa. 46:4 ESV)

The righteous flourish and still bear fruit in old age

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” (Psalms 92:12-15 ESV) 

Wisdom and understanding is with the aged

“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” (Job 12:12 ESV)

Instructions to older men and women

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good.” (Titus 2:1-3 ESV

Therefore…

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25 ESV)

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” (Prov. 16:31 ESV)

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16 ESV)

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” (Psalm 71:18 ESV) 

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21 ESV) 

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 92:12 ESV) 

Quotes:

“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

“Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.” – Benjamin Franklin.

“For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” (2 Peter 2:19 ESV)

Addiction: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence: the state of being addicted. 

I was addicted to alcohol

Before my life was transformed by Christ, I was addicted to alcohol. I spent every cent I got to support my addiction. Many times I got into serious trouble because of my drinking and its affect on my behavior. I was often drunk and disorderly in public places. The police arrested me and I went to jail. I could not stop drinking no matter how hard I tried. Then one evening I was out drinking with my friends, and while looking for matches in the car’s glove-box, I found a small gospel tract, written by Chick Publications, with the title, “This Was Your Life” about a young man who was exactly like me. It told about sin and its consequences, about Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for sin, and it explained how to pray and receive Him into your life as your personal Lord and Savior. I sincerely prayed that prayer and was instantly “born again”, just  as Jesus had described in the Bible, in John 3: 1-8. From that moment on my life was forever changed. It has now been more than 50 years since I stopped drinking. I had other addictions, too, such as smoking, that I eventually became free from. Strange as this may sound, and still I don’t understand why, it was harder for me to quit smoking than it was for me to quit drinking. I was instantly delivered from my addiction to alcohol but not from my smoking habit. I did eventually prevail but it took much prayer, much effort, and much self control. The following verses have proven very helpful to me along the way to victory. 

Be sober-minded 

Being “sober-minded, as the verse below says, means developing a healthy mindset over addiction. Realize that the devil is behind it, “like a roaring lion seeking to destroy you”, and you must constantly watch out for his evil devices and resist him and his attacks.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Remain steadfast

Understand that not only is the devil attacking you, your own desires are also at work within you, according to the passage below, “luring, enticing  and tempting” you to continue your addiction. Recognize your addiction’s symptoms in their earliest stages as warnings to you to quickly stop, reverse direction as necessary, and to take action against them, before they can develop into “full blown sin”. Remain steadfast in your fight against addiction and expect to be blessed.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 12:1-15 ESV)

Do not be enslaved by anything

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.” (1 Cor. 6:12 ESV)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1 ESV)

Abstain from passions of the flesh 

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Cor. 2:11 ESV)

Avoid bad company

In your fight against addiction learn to recognize and stay away from what is dangerous for you to be around, including certain people. If you have old friends who participate in what you are addicted to, don’t hang around with them anymore. My company makes it necessary for me to attend industry trade shows and conventions where a lot of drinking goes on. I don’t go to the bars or attend parties or drinking events. I stick only to my business and what I am there for. Occasionally someone will offer me a drink and I say cheerfully with a smile on my face, “No thank you. I’m allergic to alcohol. When I drink it, I break out in police cars and handcuffs.” They always laugh and say something like, “Oh yes, I completely understand.” Anyway, whatever it takes for you to remain victorious and steadfast, do it. 

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33 ESV)

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Rom. 13:14 ESV)

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41

Call upon the Lord in the day of trouble

“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15 ESV)

Therefore…

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 ESV)

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16 ESV)

Quote:

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” - Warren Wiersbe

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17 ESV)

Accountability means confessing your sins and praying for one another

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16 ESV)

Accountability is helping one another stand strong

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccles. 4:9-12 ESV)

All will give account to God

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:36-37 ESV)

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12 ESV)

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Heb. 4:13 ESV)

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jer. 17:10 ESV)

Therefore…

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2 ESV)

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Eph. 4:25 ESV)

Quotes:

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” – Stephen Corvey

“An accountability partner is able to perceive what you can't see when blind spots and weaknesses block your vision. Such a person serves a a tool in God's hand to promote spirtual growth, and he or she watches out for your best interest.” - Charles Stanley