Text: Romans 6
It is crucial that we talk about the topic of temptation especially for seafarers because the life and environment of a seafarer is surrounded by lots of it.
Examples of temptations: Gambling, alcoholism, womanizing, pornography, etc.,
Questions:
1. How should we view temptation as Christian Seafarers?
2. How do respond to temptation?
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Romans 5:12-14 ESV)
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
For us to understand temptation we need to first understand what sin is. Sin started from Adam in the garden of Eden. From then on, we have received the guilt and the sin which results to a separation from God which is death.
The presence of sin allows temptation to happen in our lives.
Sin destroys our relationship with God and it destroys or distorts our identity in God.
Can we get rid of Temptation?
1. Yes, when we decided not to go in sin or be exposed to it.
2. No. Because the industry or the nature of work is full of sin.
However, we can get great encouragement from God Himself on how to battle Temptations so we do not sin. Luke 4:2, Matthew 4:1, Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15
During Jesus' 3 years of ministry, He was also tempted but He never sinned because He is completely Human and also Divine in Nature. When we sin, it corrupts us in all aspects of our lives, especially when we do not rebuke or combat it.
Temptation will always be around us because the world is corrupted, but we should not hate the World, only the things of this world.
How do we respond to temptation?
Background of Romans 6:
We have been saved by God. We have been Justified by Faith in God. The reality of our salvation is that we are now dead to sin and alive in Christ. Battling temptation have been made possible because we are now under grace and not law. We are now in the New Covenant.
1. We Submit to God
A life of surrender to God gives us the identity as Children of God (John 1:12).
Sin has no power in our life anymore.
Sin is not our master anymore but Jesus Christ alone. We are paid by the blood of Jesus Christ and have been redeemed by Him. Therefore, we need to live our life that imitates Him.
In order to respond to Temptation we must pursue the righteousness of God. Our Primary Devotion is Pursuing the Righteousness of God. In every situation, we should be asking the question, “What would Jesus do?”. In that way, we open ourselves to the power of God to do what pleases Him thus using our bodies/our life as the instrument to do that mission.
2. We are to Yield to God.
As slaves to Righteousness, our character should be anchored to Him (Galatians 5)
Conclusion:
If you are experiencing temptation right now, I encourage you to always choose God. Saying Yes to God and No to temptation is the best and should be the only option you have. In that way, we keep ourselves from sinning and that pleases our King.
Our identity in God makes us soldiers for Christ. We can combat it because the Holy Spirit is in us. So we battle temptations with the greatest and most powerful companion who is God Himself.
How do we do this?
1. Increase your prayer time.
2. increase your devotional time.
3. Increase your time in studying the Bible.
4. Apply what the Word of God says.
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