Several years ago, God gave me a perspective on temptation. At the time, my approach to temptation was simple. There were certain sins that were taboo for a Christian minister, so I would never do any of those things. Sins such as immorality would destroy my family. Therefore, I would attempt to stay away from immoral situations. Other sins would damage my body. Therefore, I refrained from those things. I basically liked myself, and I wanted to live as long as possible.

There was, however, a basic problem with this approach to temptation. It approached victory over sin from a negative perspective, and consequently, it produced legalism. Legalism can help a person keep the outward forms of God's law. But it does nothing to build a person's inward character. The non-Christian world needs to see much more in the Christian than abstinence from smoking, drinking, or involving himself in immoral affairs. The world needs also to see the inward beauty of the character of the Christian.

When God began to work in my heart in this matter, I experienced some tremendous changes of attitude and character. My attitude about sin became one that was built on a positive relationship with Christ rather then a negative fear of what might happen to my ministry, my family, or myself. I'm not speaking of "the power of positive thinking." I'm speaking of the power of worshiping the lovely Lamb of God. When I see Him, I flee immorality, not just for my benefit, but for His name's sake. I refrain from certain activities not only because they will harm me, but primarily because I want to glorify God with my body. He is worthy of being glorified in my family, ministry, and personal life.

The worship of Jesus Christ will not only produce inner character in the life of the Christian, but it will also give him power to share his faith. There's a certain amount of confidence witnessing that comes through consistency in our deeds and words. But there is an even greater enduement of power that comes from the worship of Jesus Christ.

Two of the New Testament apostles, Peter and John, had an extraordinary power to share Christ during the early days of the church. It seemed as though everywhere they went and everything they touched turned into an opportunity to witness of Jesus. They were walking to a prayer meeting and ended up shaking the city of Jerusalem for the glory of God. They accomplished more for Christ accidentally than most Christians today accomplish intentionally.

In the first few chapters of Acts we find Peter speaking with great confidence about Christ. Thousands are converted. A lame man is healed. Peter and John are arrested and threatened. Then an interesting observation is made about them: "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). The secret of their power and confidence to proclaim Christ was not in their great oracle skills. Nor was it in their education. They had been with Jesus! The secret to the great courage and boldness of the apostles was simply the worship of Jesus Christ.