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Running the race
1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
Running this race can be difficult if you do not grow in wisdom and have strength during trial and temptation. The first thing you
must do is receive Christ and be born again so that you will be on a firm foundation.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
Jesus Christ is the rock; He is the firm foundation that every believer has their house built on. Those who have their house built
on Christ will stand during the storms, but those who do not have their house built on Christ, will fall and be taken away by the
floods. These storms and floods represent trials and temptations that will come upon you throughout your life.
Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
All kinds of trials are going to come your way. Temptation is going to be stronger than it ever had been in the past. It is going to
seem like the whole world is out to get you.
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened
unto you:”
These trials and temptations are going to have an effect on your life, but if you are in Christ, you will be able to stand.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
1 Corinthians 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Christ is the only foundation that a house will stand on. However, this is not to say that every house built on Christ will be
strong. Even though a person is saved, the decisions they make in their life will have an effect on how strong they will be during
trials and temptations.
1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
It is important that you build a strong house. If you strengthen yourself with prayer and the reading of God’s word; if you put
yourself in the place of other strong believers and do whatever means necessary to stay away from all the things that could lead
you into temptation, you will have a strong house that will stand firm during trials and temptations. However, if you do not stay in
prayer and strengthen your knowledge in God’s word; if you are around unbelievers and allow yourself to be surrounded by
temptation, you will have a weak house that will not stand strong during this race.
Pray
Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God.”
In James 5:13, James said, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.” If you are going through trials and tribulations, you must
pray so that you can stand strong.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” Do not just pray before you go to bed, pray constantly during trials
and temptations so that you will be able to make it through them. Prayer is very important, and you will need to pray often if you
want to run this race with strength.
Study the Bible
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou
mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success.”
You must meditate in the word of God day and night. This is not to say you must read the Bible all day and night, but that you
must study it out and keep the scriptures in mind at all times. Whenever a trial or temptation comes your way, you must
remember scriptures so that by faith, you can depend on God’s promises. Reading the Bible every once in a while will not equip
you with the knowledge you need to stand strong.
Isaiah 28:9 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from
the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”
Hebrews 5:13 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”
Having the knowledge of John 3:16 and other scriptures that most Christians know will not give you strength during trials and
temptations. These things are just the beginning of wisdom. In order to stand strong you must dig deeper into the
understanding of God’s word so that you will become wise and be able to run this race with strength.
Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”
In order to grow in knowledge, you must study the Bible often. Without knowledge of God’s word, you will be weak, and will be an
easy target for the enemy. You must continue to study God’s word and gain as much wisdom as you can so that when you are
tempted, you will stand strong. The enemy is out to attack you and cause you to fall. Do not think that just because you are saved
that you cannot fall into temptation. Even Jesus was tempted by the enemy.
Matthew 4:3-10 “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made
bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If
thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands
they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of
the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then
saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Every time the enemy said something deceiving, Jesus knew it, because He knew what the word of God said. We must also
know what the Bible says, so when we are tempted, we will be able to recognize that the enemy is at work and stand strong on
the promises of God’s word.
Proverbs 12:7 “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.”
Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Discipline yourself
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from
every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you.”
You must separate yourself from everyone who is of this world. People who walk in unrighteousness or who are not wise in the
word of God will only drag you down in this race. In order to become strong and endure through trial and temptation with
wisdom, you must put yourself around other believers.
Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Walk with those who can help you grow in wisdom, and who can help you stay away from the things of this world. You must
avoid anything that could lead you into temptation.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a
pure heart.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Take the things I’ve shown you and begin to apply them to your life. Pray and study the Bible often. Examine your life and turn
away from the people or activities that could lead you into unrighteousness; avoid anything that could lead you into temptation. If
you continue in these things, you will be able to stand strong during all the trials and temptations that come your way. Live your
life in holiness, and keep your eye on Christ until you finish this race. I love you, and I look forward to seeing you at the finish line.
Running this race can be difficult if you do not grow in wisdom and have strength during trial and temptation. The first thing you
must do is receive Christ and be born again so that you will be on a firm foundation.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
Jesus Christ is the rock; He is the firm foundation that every believer has their house built on. Those who have their house built
on Christ will stand during the storms, but those who do not have their house built on Christ, will fall and be taken away by the
floods. These storms and floods represent trials and temptations that will come upon you throughout your life.
Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
All kinds of trials are going to come your way. Temptation is going to be stronger than it ever had been in the past. It is going to
seem like the whole world is out to get you.
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened
unto you:”
These trials and temptations are going to have an effect on your life, but if you are in Christ, you will be able to stand.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
1 Corinthians 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Christ is the only foundation that a house will stand on. However, this is not to say that every house built on Christ will be
strong. Even though a person is saved, the decisions they make in their life will have an effect on how strong they will be during
trials and temptations.
1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation,
and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
It is important that you build a strong house. If you strengthen yourself with prayer and the reading of God’s word; if you put
yourself in the place of other strong believers and do whatever means necessary to stay away from all the things that could lead
you into temptation, you will have a strong house that will stand firm during trials and temptations. However, if you do not stay in
prayer and strengthen your knowledge in God’s word; if you are around unbelievers and allow yourself to be surrounded by
temptation, you will have a weak house that will not stand strong during this race.
Pray
Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Romans 12:12 “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God.”
In James 5:13, James said, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.” If you are going through trials and tribulations, you must
pray so that you can stand strong.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” Do not just pray before you go to bed, pray constantly during trials
and temptations so that you will be able to make it through them. Prayer is very important, and you will need to pray often if you
want to run this race with strength.
Study the Bible
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou
mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success.”
You must meditate in the word of God day and night. This is not to say you must read the Bible all day and night, but that you
must study it out and keep the scriptures in mind at all times. Whenever a trial or temptation comes your way, you must
remember scriptures so that by faith, you can depend on God’s promises. Reading the Bible every once in a while will not equip
you with the knowledge you need to stand strong.
Isaiah 28:9 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from
the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”
Hebrews 5:13 “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”
Having the knowledge of John 3:16 and other scriptures that most Christians know will not give you strength during trials and
temptations. These things are just the beginning of wisdom. In order to stand strong you must dig deeper into the
understanding of God’s word so that you will become wise and be able to run this race with strength.
Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”
In order to grow in knowledge, you must study the Bible often. Without knowledge of God’s word, you will be weak, and will be an
easy target for the enemy. You must continue to study God’s word and gain as much wisdom as you can so that when you are
tempted, you will stand strong. The enemy is out to attack you and cause you to fall. Do not think that just because you are saved
that you cannot fall into temptation. Even Jesus was tempted by the enemy.
Matthew 4:3-10 “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made
bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If
thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands
they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of
the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then
saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Every time the enemy said something deceiving, Jesus knew it, because He knew what the word of God said. We must also
know what the Bible says, so when we are tempted, we will be able to recognize that the enemy is at work and stand strong on
the promises of God’s word.
Proverbs 12:7 “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.”
Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Discipline yourself
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from
every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you.”
You must separate yourself from everyone who is of this world. People who walk in unrighteousness or who are not wise in the
word of God will only drag you down in this race. In order to become strong and endure through trial and temptation with
wisdom, you must put yourself around other believers.
Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Walk with those who can help you grow in wisdom, and who can help you stay away from the things of this world. You must
avoid anything that could lead you into temptation.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a
pure heart.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Take the things I’ve shown you and begin to apply them to your life. Pray and study the Bible often. Examine your life and turn
away from the people or activities that could lead you into unrighteousness; avoid anything that could lead you into temptation. If
you continue in these things, you will be able to stand strong during all the trials and temptations that come your way. Live your
life in holiness, and keep your eye on Christ until you finish this race. I love you, and I look forward to seeing you at the finish line.
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