Temptations
Temptations
INTRODUCTION
Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of the true child of God, but some seem to be tempted much more than others. No one can escape from temptation; Adam, Lucifer and Christ were tempted. The Lord taught us to include this petition in our daily prayer, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Some saints are greatly troubled because they are tempted for they think they must be so wicked; to be tempted is not sin; sin is yielding to temptation.
"Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin, Each victory will help you, some other to win. "
We cannot stop birds from flying over our heads but we can stop them from nesting in our hair; we cannot stop evil thoughts from passing through our minds but we need not accept them nor dwell upon them.
Someone asked a little girl what she did when temptations come. She replied, "Temptations are like Satan knocking at my heart and when I see him there I tell Jesus to answer the door!!
Satan flees when the mighty conquering Jesus appears and speaks of Calvary.
James 1:12, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation." i.e. resists it and becomes the victor through the Blood of the cross.
1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. "
SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS
Negative: It is not in God- James 1:13, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man."
In the case of Job, God gave Satan permission to tempt Job within certain restricted boundaries. Job 1:12; Job 2:6.
Positive:
Satan-- Matthew 4:1, Satan tempting the Lord Jesus.
The flesh-- James 1:14, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
This is manifested in three specific forms:
The lust of the flesh-- 1 John 2:16
The lust of the eyes- 1 John 2:16
The pride of life- 1 John 2:16
Evil associates- Proverbs 1:10, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
Christian friends- Matthew 16:22-23, Jesus rebuked Satan speaking through Peter, "He turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me."
REASONS FOR TEMPTATIONS
As a test of our faith-- James 1:2-3; "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. "
Dr. Haldeman’s story of a railway company testing a new bridge in the mountains. Two locomotives arrived on the bridge at full speed, then pulled the brakes and left the engines running at full throttle for half a day to let the vibrations jar the bridge to its deepest foundation. The bridge stood firm and no one doubted the ability of that bridge to carry heavy loads.
Because Jesus was severely tempted here on earth, He can succour us in time of need.
As a test of obedience- Genesis 22:1, "And it came to pass after these things that God did tempt (test) Abraham, and said unto him . . . Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac . . . and offer him . . . ".
God tests men to know the depth of their love and sincerity of their obedience.
Words are easy; we say we love God and that we would obey Him under all circumstances, but how can this be proven except by some form of testing?"
LOAD-LIMIT OF TEMPTATIONS
1 Corinthians 10:13, "... not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able. . ."; God knows our load limit; He knows how much we can take; how much pressure or strain we can withstand. Sometimes we see a sign on a bridge, “Load limit, ten tons"; this means that heavier vehicles must detour to a stronger bridge or unload to specified weight.
God limits our temptations in several ways:
He sets the time limit of the temptation-He knows whether in one more hour we might have yielded to that insiduous attack.
He sets the timing of the temptation; He only allows it when we are mature enough to withstand that particular type of temptation.
He guides the stress or amount of pressure during the actual temptation.
The eyes and counsels of the Lord watch over us each moment.
Just when we think we will weaken and sin the Lord removes the pressure and makes a way to escape.
METHODS OF TEMPTATIONS
Through poverty- Proverbs 30:9, “... lest I be poor, and steal, and take the Name of my God in vain. . ."
Through prosperity- Proverbs 30:9, “Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord?"
Through worldly glory-Balaam in Numbers 22:17, “For I will promote thee unto very great honour. . ."
Through discouragement- Psalms 42:11, "Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul?" Elijah desiring suicide under the Juniper tree- 1 Kings 19:4.
TYPES OF TEMPTATIONS
To unbelief- Job 2:9, “... curse God, and die"; also the "If" in Matthew 4:3.
To presumption- Matthew 4:6; Jesus to cast Himself down from the temple and presumptuously expect the angels to protect Him (subtle temptation to suicide).
To worship the god of this world- Matthew 4:9, Satan to Christ, “Fall down and worship me."
To pride; Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built. . ."
To pleasure; Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10, "For Demas bath forsaken me, having loved this present evil world."
To power; Simon Magus in Acts 8:19, money to get the power of the Holy Spirit to regain the community popularity and power that he once possessed.
To society; Lot’s wife in Genesis 19:1-6.
To possessions; Achan in Joshua 7:1-24, earth, gold, silver and garments.
To sex: Solomon in Nehemiah 13:26; and David in 2 Samuel 11:2-4.
To money: Judas Iscariot in John 13:21-30.
To false humility-"I’m no good, I can’t do anything, I can’t preach, sing, etc."
RESULTS OF TEMPTATIONS
If yielded to they become sin- 1 Timothy 6:9, and the saint is weakened in testimony.
If resisted the Lord is glorified and the saint grows stronger to resist other temptations; the person grows in faith and maturity; obedience is confirmed.
HOW TO GET VICTORY OVER TEMPTATIONS
By the faithfulness of God- 1 Corinthians 10:13; Revelation 3:10, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation. "
We can rely on the faithfulness of God, 1 Corinthians 1:9; He changes not.
By using the Word of God appropriately: Jesus quoted Scripture 3 times in Matthew 4:1-25.
By the intercession of Christ- Luke 22:31-32, “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.
By personal prayer- Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. "
By fleeing- 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts." Proverbs 4:14-15, “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."
By resisting- James 4:7, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. "
By accepting the way of escape- 1 Corinthians 10:13.
CONCLUSION Temptations are common to all men; every Christian must expect to be tempted.
Praise the Lord for the possibility of victory and bringing glory to His Name.
Beware of yielding to sin; to fall is easy but the scars often remain. Be conscious of immediate restoration through confession, repentance and the Blood of Christ- 1 John 1:9.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What type of people are subject to temptations ?
What do you consider the greatest verse in the Bible regarding temptation?
Explain the conflict between James 1:13, and Genesis 22:1.
List four possible sources of temptations.
Give two reasons for temptations.
Suggest three ways that God guarantees that we will not be tempted above that which we are able.
Mention four methods of temptations.
List ten types of temptations.
What are the positive and negative results of temptations?
How may one get victory over temptation?