Story
Luke 14 opens at a Pharisee’s table where guests are eyeing the good chairs. Jesus tells them to take the lowest place, then tells…
Pride · Community · Humility
Luke 14
Story
What Actually Helps Us Resist
Discipleship Journal, November/December 1992
A survey of Discipleship Journal readers asked what areas of spiritual challenge felt strongest. The top answers were materialism, pride, self-centeredness, laziness, anger/bitterness, and sexual lust. Respondents also reported when temptation hit hardest: 81 percent said it was more potent when they had neglected time with God, and 57 percent said physical tiredness made it worse. What actually helped them resist? Prayer ranked highest at 84 percent, followed by avoiding compromising situations (76 percent), Bible study (66 percent), and being accountable to someone (52 percent). The numbers are ordinary, but they quietly underscore that isolation and spiritual neglect leave us exposed, while simple, consistent practices—especially relationships of accountability—still matter.
How you’d preach it
Useful when teaching on spiritual disciplines or the practical value of accountability. The percentages give weight without needing heavy commentary.
- Prayer
- Community
- Pride