The Bible says, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38.
It is also written, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:7, 8.
As Christians, "we have a work to do to resist temptation. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's deception must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts... This will require earnest prayer and unceasing watchfulness." Patriarchs and Prophets p. 460.
It is written, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5.
It is also written, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8.
When ever in doubt, ask youself this question: WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? Then Follow these guidelines below and let the Holy Spirit work on your heart.
Christian Guidelines
1. Can you ask God's Blessing upon it?
2. Does it make you less inclined to pray and read (study) God's Word, or does it draw you nearer to Christ?
3. Does it make resistance to temptation easier or harder?
4. Does engaging in it trouble your conscience?
5. Does engaging in it refresh and strengthen you physically, mentally, and morally, or does it weary and weaken you?
6. Does it tend to infatuate and to consume time to no profit? Definition: "Anything which tends to absorb the mind and divert it from God assumes the form of an idol." 4T 632.
7. Does it tend toward self-gratification and intemperance, or does it encourage integrity and self-control?
8. Does it better qualify you to perform life's daily duties?
9. Does it tend toward pride of dress, frivolity, foolishness, and vulgarity, or does it tend toward refinement, virtue, and purity?
10. Does engaging in it injure or wound any person or destroy self-respect, or does it tend toward courtesy, generosity, and increased respect for manhood and womanhood?
11. Does it lead to a love of domination or to brutality?
12. Does it take you into the wrong crowd? The Christian cannot associate with worldlings in their pursuit of recreation and amusement.
A) God calls upon the Christian to separate from the world in matters of amusements as in other things. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 2:15-17.
B) He who unites with worldlings in pleasure will be overcome by Satan.
C) It is by leading the followers of Christ to associate with the ungodly and unite in their amusements that Satan is most successful in alluring them to sin.
D) We learn the attitudes and practices of our associates, and take their level.
13. Does it tend to open the door to, or lead on to, some greater evil?
