1. Understand what you should and shouldn’t do
Start with the Ten Commandments. Read The Bible and the things that Jesus told us to do and not to do.
2. Don’t rationalize
Take God’s rules as they are. Don’t try to change them based on what our society says is acceptable. It would be like choosing to not believe in the rules of gravity in order to avoid getting hurt if you fell off a building. Yes, it would be nice, in that case, if gravity didn’t exist; but disbelief doesn’t make it go away.
3. Don’t think about sin
Thinking about sin can bring it to life. When temptation enters your mind, and it will, think about something else. Read some passages from The Bible or ask God to help you. Say, “God, protect me from these temptations. Be my strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
4. Don’t put yourself in tempting situations
You may think that you can overcome these situations but this is how the Devil traps you. He draws you in one small step at a time and before you know it you’re sinning again. Don’t watch things, or read things, or listen to things that might tempt you. Don’t spend your time with people who will tempt you to do sinful things. This is particularly important if you are trying to find out about Jesus. The Devil does not want to lose you. He will try everything he can to keep you from leaving him. The last thing he wants is for you to be saved.
5. Pray every day
When you wake up in the morning ask God to keep you from temptation; to protect you from the evil influences of the world. Ask him to help you do only the things that are pleasing to him. Thank him for the things he’s done in your life and the salvation he’s given you through Jesus.
Pray before you go to bed. Confess your sins to God. List them. Then ask God to forgive those sins and help you to turn away from them and not give in to temptation.
6. Say The Lord’s Prayer
This is how Jesus taught us to pray. A good time to do this is in the morning and/or before you go to bed at night.
7. Talk to God
He wants to help you. He is with you all the time. If you ask him for help to do the things he wants you to do or to find out more about him, he will help you.
8. Get a Bible and read it every day
The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. If you want to know what God wants and all the things he’s done for you, its in The Bible. Its also a good way to keep the Devil at bay.
The NASB (New American Standard Bible) translation of The Bible is a good translation and easy to understand. It is available wherever Bibles are sold. You can also access the World English Bible online at: www.worldenglishbible.org/web
You may also find it worthwhile to purchase a pocket-sized copy of the New Testament of The Bible. These are also available wherever Bibles are sold.
Amazing things can happen in your life when all you care about is pleasing God.