CONQUERING TEMPTATION

Conquering Temptation



The bible tells us that temptation is the enticement to do wrong.

Let’s read James 1:13-14

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Temptation is the desire to do something bad that appeals to you. Temptation comes from Satan and is very deceptive.


We are not the only ones who are tempted. Jesus was also tempted.
Let’s look at his story:

The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “Because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.
11  And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.


Page 2. Conquering Temptations


Jesus was tempted just as we are but he did not sin and give in to Satan’s offers. That is the trick, we cannot give in!

God can help you to avoid temptation and he can help you to keep from giving in to it.
Let’s read a few scriptural references pertaining to this:


Luke 11:4

4 and forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.


1 Cor.10:13

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.


We are to pray to God that he allow us to be stronger and not be led into temptation. We also must realize that we do not go through anything that others do not. God will not allow us to endure more than we can bear, he will show us a way out of all temptation, we just have to ask!!!


See the problem with a lot of people today is they allow the guilt of temptation to hold them in bondage but we must remember it is not temptation that is sinful it is yielding to it that is. Let’s look at a scriptural reference:

James 1:12

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Enduring temptation without giving up brings blessings and spiritual growth!!!







Page 3. Conquering Temptations


In understanding temptation we must go back to were temptation began, the garden of Eden. Let’s read some scriptural references to try to understand were temptation originated, and still originates to this day:


Reference 1.


Gen. 3:1-6


1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”


The bible states that the serpent was the shrewdest of all animals, which means, the serpent was very cunning. In the Garden of Eden temptation was introduced by the Serpent, or Satan, in its form. Satan is the one who tempts us. Sin was birthed when Eve did not resist the temptation; she gave in and ate the fruit.


Reference 2.


Genesis 3:6-7


6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.


Temptation did not evolve into sin until Eve was “convinced”. Then she led her husband to give into the temptation. People today not only give into temptation but they lead others astray also. Not only does sin originate with Satan but people allow it to spread.







Page 4. Conquering Temptations



Temptations are spiritual warfare for us so we must understand the rules of engagement.

Here are some scriptural references to help your defense:

Sometimes we must literally run……….Gn. 39:10-15
Don’t entertain it! ……….2 Sam. 11:3-4
Temptation attacks our weaknesses……Matt. 4:1-2
Use scripture to combat it……….Matt. 4:4
God never leads us to it!..........James 1:13-14
Satan uses manipulation to tempt us into giving in to his desires………Luke 4:3
Satan often comes in attractive and deceiving forms (such as material things)………Matt. 4:6
Having the Holy Spirit does not make you immune to temptation……….Acts 5:3
Recognize you areas of weakness and make them stronger!!!..........Romans 14:1
Always remember that Satan is real and temptation is not imagined……….Matt 4:1




Satan is real and he is deceiving. He uses manipulation to sway you to do wrong. No one is exempt from his evil not even Christians. We can have the Holy Spirit and be saved but it is up to us to stay saved, the Holy Spirit does not control our decisions we do. People often cannot handle the temptation to do sinful things and they keep doing them habitually, this is called living in sin.


Let’s look at this following scriptural reference and see who these people are:


Revelations 9:20-21


20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Make sure that you are not unrepentant of your sinful ways, repent and accept Christ so that you will be ready when he arrives for us!!!



Page 5 Conquering Temptations


Questions


What is temptation? ___________________________________________________

Who can help us avoid temptation? ___________________________________________________

Who does God bless? ___________________________________________________

Where did temptation begin, and who started it? ___________________________________________________

Who gave in to the first temptation? And How... ___________________________________________________


What are some ways that you can avoid giving in to temptation? ___________________________________________________

What can you do to help others avoid giving in to temptation? ___________________________________________________


How can the church as a whole help others from giving into temptation? ___________________________________________________

COPYRIGHT 2010 TBM NATIONAL.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.