Abide The Armor of God and Prayer (Part 6) Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Abide ----------------------- Date: 05/12/1999 Keywords: "abide" "prayer" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The following is one of 42 studies on the "armor of God" as it relates to resisting Web porn. Some of the studies will examine Ephesians chapter six, which is famous for the armor theme. Some of the other studies, however, will examine how the armor pieces are discussed elsewhere in Scripture. All 42 studies are listed in the three-minute study index for the dates April 1 through May 12, 1999. Feel free to study and/or download the entire set. We welcome your feedback to this thematic approach in the three-minute studies. Passage: John 15:7 * "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." [spoken by Jesus Christ] Background This statement comes after the Last Supper and just before Jesus gives Himself over to be crucified. He is speaking to His disciples — those present, but also those who would come in the future. At the beginning of chapter 14 He tells them — and us — not to worry ("Let not your heart be troubled...."). Then in chapter 15 He gives the analogy that He is the vine and we (as His disciples) are branches. "Abiding" is compared to the relationship of a branch to the vine — it can’t live if it looses it’s connection. Questions 1. What are some practical ways a person could "abide" in Jesus today?   2. What evidence might there be in our lives that we are abiding in Christ (as suggested in the verse)?   3. When you think about the things you wish for, would they be different if they were motivated by your love for Jesus Christ?   Practical help As we strive day by day to know Jesus more dearly, the process of abiding will change us into people with deep convictions and strong moral character. Even secular psychologists agree that whatever our minds continually dwell on will change us. If we pursue God, we will become godly; if we pursue pornography, we will become weak and hollow. Abiding in Internet pornography is the opposite of abiding in Christ because it is a secretive activity. Jesus wants us to spend so much time with Him that the words that flow out of our mouths are just like those He would speak. And He promises that along with His words will come the power to live a victorious life. When our connections with good people and with God are weak, we can easily try to fill the emptiness with titillating images. For the moment it might make us feel "alive," but ultimately it ends with emptiness. The antidote is to move toward loving God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37) and openly expressing the truth of this relationship so others can see it. Love for God should not be a secret. As His words begin to abide in you, ask what you wish. God will be delighted to deliver you from sexual sins. If you want to know more about Jesus there is no better book to read than the Gospel of John. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."