"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:13-16
What that basically says to me is, "All that stuff you were doing before you were saved? Yeah, don't do that anymore."
We humans are prone to temptation. We are also creatures of habit. When something we used to do in our past dangles itself in front of us in our present, what is our future going to look like? That depends on what we do right here and now.
How can we prepare for temptation? Take proactive steps. Does taking a drink tempt you? Get rid of the bottles in your house, don't go to bars, don't go to parties where alcohol is likely to be served. Don't go down the beer aisle at the grocery store.
Here's another helpful tip. Don't watch television, especially the commercials. Television ads are like IED's - roadside bombs. You think you're safe then, BOOM! There it is.
Am I being too drastic? Too picky? Too idealistic? Legalistic?
I used the example of alcohol here but it really could be anything. Sexual temptation, gluttony, greed, the list is endless.
What does it mean to be holy? Set apart? From what? We are to be set apart from the world, sin and everything "the world" represents. We were made holy by the precious blood of Jesus and our faith in God. Should we be acting like it?
Every time we are tempted we should pray and get out of the situation we are in. We also should take steps to avoid temptation. We belong to Jesus, not the world.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
Ball of Confusion - The Temptations
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