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Charles Stanley
Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
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Charles Stanley delves into the concept of temptation, explaining that it is the enticement to exceed the boundaries of God-given desires. He emphasizes that God has instilled in us natural desires for food, intimacy, and relationships, but the challenge arises when we misuse these desires outside of God's intended boundaries. Stanley highlights the importance of recognizing that feelings of temptation can be controlled, refused, and redirected towards healthier activities, reassuring that God will not abandon us in the midst of temptation.
The Struggle With Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Temptation is something with which we are all familiar. No matter who you are, where you live, how long you've been a Christian, or what you do for a living, you have been tempted. And you will be tempted again, probably even today. Therefore, let's stop and ask an important question: What is temptation? Quite simply, temptation is an enticement to take a God-given desire beyond our God-given boundaries. You may say, "God-given desire? There's no way that this desire came from God!" Well, let me ask you something: Who made you? Who built into you those drives and desires that you feel? The longings for food, intimacy, and relationships all come straight from God. The problem arises when we take these desires beyond the boundaries God has set for us. For example, He created sex for enjoyment within marriage. However, this God-given desire is horribly misused when the physical act of sex occurs outside of matrimony. Then, something that God designed for His purposes becomes the source of guilt and shame. That is not what God intended. You may sometimes feel at the mercy of your temptation. Know, however, that feelings of temptation are just that: feelings. They can be controlled, refused, and refocused into some other healthy activity. God has assured us that He will not abandon us in the midst of temptation, no matter how alone we may feel. When you feel the pressure to sin, call on Him to refocus your energies and attention.
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Charles Frazier Stanley (1932–2023). Born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, Charles Stanley was an American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and author who led First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over 50 years. Raised by his widowed mother, Rebecca, after his father’s death at nine months, he felt called to preach at 14 and joined a Baptist church at 16. Stanley earned a BA from the University of Richmond (1956), a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1958), and a ThM and ThD from Luther Rice Seminary. Ordained in 1956, he pastored churches in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina before joining First Baptist Atlanta in 1969, becoming senior pastor in 1971. In 1977, he founded In Touch Ministries, broadcasting his sermons globally via radio, TV, and online, reaching millions. A pioneer in Christian media, he authored over 60 books, including The Source of My Strength (1994), How to Listen to God (1985), and Success God’s Way (2000), emphasizing practical faith. President of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986), he faced personal challenges, including a 2000 divorce from Anna Johnson after 44 years; they had two children, Andy and Becky. Stanley died on April 18, 2023, in Atlanta, saying, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”