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5 Sermon Illustrations on Overcoming Temptation

5 illustrations

Overcoming temptation involves resisting sinful desires through swift, decisive action, akin to steering clear of hidden dangers in a river. Christian preaching emphasizes vigilance and reliance on God's strength to avoid falling into sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). Illustrations often use imagery of navigating perilous waters or escaping traps to convey the urgency of fleeing temptation (James 4:7).

Opportunity

When tempted, act decisively to escape danger, like steering off a sandbar in a river.

Seized. Coming once down the Ohio River when the water was low, we saw just before us several small boats aground on a sandbar. We knew the channel was where they were not, and, shaping our course accordingly, we went safely by. They saw our intention; and, taking advantage of the light swell we created as we passed them, the nearest ones crowded on all steam, and were lifted off the bar. Now, when in life's stream you are stranded on some bar of temptation, no matter what it is that makes a swell, if it is only an inch under your keel, put on all steam, and swing off into the current. Beecher.

from New Cyclopaedia of Prose Illustrations · Elon Foster trusting god

The Fatal Temptation

A slight compromise can reignite sinful desires leading to complete downfall.

An intemperate man, and one of the most brilliant gems of the age, made a desperate effort to reform. For three months, he promised and confined himself to drinks no more stimulating than tea and coffee. The hopes of his friends and his country were much excited; but in an evil hour he was induced to take a little beer and water. The slight intoxicating quality contained in this liquor, lighted up the latent fires within him. Desire was again renewed; resolution weakened; he relapsed, and went from beer to wine, from wine to brandy, until reason was dethroned, and he became a madman.

from Cyclopaedia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes · Kazlitt Arvine failure

Drinking Moderately

Partial abstinence failed; total abstinence was necessary for true victory.

A gentleman, of the most amiable dispositions, had contracted confirmed habits of intemperance. His friends persuaded him to come under a written engagement, that he would not drink, except moderately, in his own house, or the house of a friend. In a few days he was brought home in a state of bestial intoxication. His apology to a gentleman, a short time after, was, that had the engagement allowed no intoxicating liquor whatever, he was safe; "but if," said he, "I take the half-full of a thimble, I have no power over myself at all." He practised entire abstinence afterwards, and was strong and well.

from Cyclopaedia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes · Kazlitt Arvine failure

THE STORM-KING EAGLE

Avoid sin by rising above temptation instead of engaging with it.

If you have been up the Hudson River from New York to Albany by the day-boat, you will probably have noticed a high mountain on the right-hand side of the river by the name of Storm King. I want to tell you about an eagle that used to live there. He could be seen there almost any day soaring high above the mountain-peak. And many a hunter had tried to shoot him. But he avoided them all. And how do you think he did it? Did he hide from them? No. Just by flying so high that the bullets could not reach him, or, if some chance bullet did reach him, he was so far away that it just kissed his plumage and fell back to earth without doing him any harm. I wish that every boy and girl were as wise as that old eagle. That is always the way to avoid being wounded by sins: just keep high up above them. I mean by that, when you are tempted to do anything that is wrong, not to stop and argue with yourself whether you will get caught if you do it, or whether you will be happier if you do not do it, or any of these things by which you lose time. But just get right away from it: put it out of your mind. I suppose you will wonder how you can do that. I will tell you. You have often heard about "wishing-caps," and how the people in fairy-stories put them on and just wish themselves wherever they want to be, and quick as a flash they are there. Well, there is a wishing-cap that every boy and girl can put on when he is tempted; it is this prayer, "O God, help me not to do this thing which is wrong!" And if you say that prayer, and believe God will help you, it will take you high out of reach of the sin, just as that old eagle flew high above reach of the bullets. For God says that they who ask Him for help shall "mount up on wings as eagles."

Strength From Resisted Evil

Resisting evil strengthens us, like gaining the enemy's power in victory.

In general, every evil to which we do not succumb, is a benefactor. As the Sandwich Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptation we resist.--Philadelphia _Ledger_.

from Cyclopedia of Illustrations for Public Speakers · Robert Scott and William C. Stiles

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