Temptation

Obey Jesus or be tempted by Satan?

 

TEMPTATION

INTRODUCTION: In the Scriptures there are two meanings derived from the word temptation. One is an attempt to entice to evil; the other is a trial or testing from God.

I.       Satan works through temptation in his attempt to destroy lives.

A.    Satan attacks us where we are the weakest, I Peter 5:8,9.

B.    He knows when our defenses are down.

C.    Satan brings temptation to us when we have not adequately prayed, Luke 22:46.

D.    Satan lures us to evil through the sin nature of the flesh, James 1:14.

E.    Satan appeals to the flesh of men through three channels, I John 2:16.

1.     Lust of the flesh

2.     Lust of the eyes

3.     The pride of life

F.    We are admonished to resist temptation, James 4:7.

G.   All of us are tempted, but we do not have to yield, I Corinthians 10:13.

1.     Jesus was tempted by Satan, but He did not yield, Hebrews 4:15.

2.     Eve yielded to temptation because she doubted the Word of God.

3.     When we yield to temptation, it frequently has far-reaching consequences. (God

warns us that He will not be mocked; He has a law that “…whatever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap,” Galatians 6:7.)

H.    There are seven vital principles that will help us resist the temptation of Satan.

1.     Stay close to the Lord, James 4:8.

2.     Fill your soul with the Word of God, Psalms 119:11.

3.     Pray for deliverance from temptation, Matthew 6:13; Hebrews 4:16.

4.     Avoid the very appearance of evil, I Thessalonians 5:22.

5.     Resist the Devil, James 4:7.

6.     Think on the right things, Philippians 4:8.

7.     Stay busy working for God, Ephesians 4:28.

II.     Satan also tempts us to compromise the principles in which we believe.

A.   This type of compromise takes on many forms, but it is all sin.

B.   Once we begin to compromise any principle in God’s Word, we become double minded,
        James 1:8.

C.   When we are double minded, our prayers are not answered, Psalms 66:18; James 1:7.

D.   One compromise leads to another, and Satan will see to it that our lives are filled with
        compromise.

E.   Compromising in this context is like lying; it destroys one’s character.

III. Satan will also tempt us to not do what is right.

A.   He not only tempts us to do wrong, but he also tempts us not to do what we know to be
        right, I Thessalonians 3:5.

B.   When we do not put into practice the teachings of the Scriptures, we are committing the
        sin of omission. Notice some of the sins of omission that are most commonly commit-
        ted:

 

1.     Neglecting to read the Bible

2.     Neglecting to pray faithfully

3.     Neglecting to attend church faithfully

4.     Neglecting to witness for Christ

C.   These sins rob us of untold blessings in this life, and in eternity they rob us of the joy of
        being in the Bride.

D.   We are warned to not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, II Corinthians 2:11.

IV.    The temptation (testing or trying) that comes from God is designed for our benefit.

A.   He knows the areas in which we need to grow, James 1:2-4.

B.   Paul was tested, or tried, in the flesh to keep him humble, Galatians 4:14.

1.     Undoubtedly, Paul would have been lifted up with pride, II Corinthians 12:7-9.

2.     God cannot use those who are proud, I Peter 5:5,6.

V.      There are rewards for those who endure temptation.

A.   They will have an abundant, fruitful life, filled with peace.

B.   Praise, honor, and glory is promised to those who endure temptation (trials), I Peter
        1:6,7.

C.   It is promised that they will receive a crown of life, James 1:12.