TEMPTATION

By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer  jerry@schmoyer.net 

  http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/

 

INTRODUCTION:

Young child learning to walk must be careful

Focuses on every step, goes slow, still easy to lose balance and fall

As grows older, stronger, more experienced still danger of falling but less

        Always danger of tripping and falling!

 

NEW CHRISTIAN easily tripped up – grow so less danger

       

WALK DOWN ROAD, Jesus at end of street, false-fronts on either side to get us distracted, turned aside

 

LIES Satan uses to appeal to flesh

        Get eyes off Jesus/Holy Spirit and onto self

        Interfere with sp growth

Spiritually true, too

        Satan in control of world system, all against sp growth

        Satan tries best to keep new bel from growing

                Esp new bel hit hardest

                Get eyes off Jesus and onto self!

 

I. TEMPTATION

(talk about temptation: what it is, why it happens, what to do about it)

        Illegitimate way to meet a legitimate need

 

1. Temptation isn’t sin – Matthew 5:27

 

Matt 5:27-28  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’   28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 

2. God doesn’t tempt us to sin – James 1:13-15

 

James 1:13-15  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

 

Y IN THE ROAD – go either direction

        TEMPT – by Satan to sin, not trust God, meet own needs own way

        TEST – by God, opportunity to trust, grow, see Him work

 

3. Everything can be resisted with God’s help – I Corinthians 10:13

1 Cor 10:13   No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

 

4. Example: Joseph (OT)  Genesis 39:1-20

       LUST – Potiphar’s wife  Genesis 39:6-20

       DAVID – 2 Sam 11:1-4

 

5. Cleansing –I John 1:9

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

TRANSITION

Temptation comes from how we view things

        What we expect God to do for us

        How we view difficulties in life, not having all we want right away