Confronting

and

Overcoming Temptations

CAMP DEAR 2009

What is Temptation?• Temptation itself is not sin BUT it does lead to sin.   James 1:14,15 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

• God is not the source of temptation, He does not tempt us. He allows us to be tried.

James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

• Satan may tempt us by putting evil thoughts into our minds but we can push them out with God’s help.

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision (supply) for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” 

Examples of Temptation• Abraham was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his

son (Gen 22:1,2).

• Jacob was tested when he found out Esau sent 400 men after him (Gen. 32:6).

• Joseph was tested with Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-9).

• Job was tested severely. He was elevated when he overcame his weaknesses.

• King Saul was tested, but he failed.

Purpose of Temptation• To show us that we can defeat Satan and escape his

temptations with God’s help.

• When we remain faithful to God during times of testing or temptation, we develop perseverance that continues to help us as we grow in spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4)

 • When God chooses to let us be tempted, He does it for our

good:

• Humbling our hearts• Testing our hearts• Instructing our minds

1 John 2:15-16 3 Avenues of Temptations

1 John 2:15,16 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -is not of the Father but is of the world.”

• Lust of the flesh

• Lust of the eyes

• Pride of life

Jesus’ Temptations in the Wilderness

• After Jesus’ baptism, He was led to the wilderness by the Spirit where He went to fast for 40 days and 40 nights.

• Jesus encountered three temptations by Satan.

• Jesus’ temptations in wilderness occurs in the three Gospels but we will focus on Matthew.

First Temptation Matthew 4:3,4 “Now when the tempter came to Him, he

said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

First Temptation    

• Satan taunts Jesus by saying “If you are the Son of God…” he’s basically telling Jesus to prove it to him.

• Baptism already showed that God the Father declared Jesus as Son of God.

Application: If someone taunts us and doubts our role we’re very tempted to show them, to prove it. This temptation is pride; trying to prove ourselves to others.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

• Physical needs must be met by God’s way, not ours. God is able to supply our needs, but we must wait on Him and seek to do things His way.

Second Temptation

Matthew 4:5-7 “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

      ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’   and,      ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,       Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Second Temptation• Jesus chose humility over pride. Satan wanted Jesus to force

God’s hand, manipulate God to do what He would not wish to do. • Notice Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12 but he distorts it. Satan

tempts Jesus to step out on faith and claim God's protection by quoting Psalm 91:11-12. But Jesus recalls verse 10 which shows the point of Psalm 91 which is trusting God, not testing Him!

• Some people like to test God so they can believe. That’s a lack of faith. 2 Cor 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mk 11:24)

• This temptation can apply to love of popularity and public recognition.

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Third Temptation

Matthew 4:8-10 “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Third Temptation• Notice Jesus did not question Satan’s claims of ownership

and power of kingdom.

• Arguing with Satan makes the tempted person more vulnerable.

• Satan gives kingdom to Jesus if He bows to Satan. He knew Jesus will go through great suffering ahead of Him and offered Him a way out that didn’t involve suffering.

• Jesus knew in due time- through cross, grave and resurrection, the Father will exalt Him to the highest place as God’s equal. He trusted God’s plans.

Phil 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation (humble), taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

• You can never defeat Satan by your own strength and power.

Matt. 19:26 “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Third Temptation (cont)

How Did Jesus Defeat Satan and His Temptations?

1) By using the Word of God. “It is written”  Ephesians 6:17 shows the power of Word of God. God’s Word is a sword

that we should use in spiritual battle. Whenever we are under attack, we must quote Scripture and obey it.

 2) By focusing upon God.   Jesus not only quoted Scripture but He also focused upon God the Father.

Every Scripture that Jesus quoted made reference to God.   Too often when tempted to sin, we focus on the sin itself and its pleasures.

We need to focus on God and not the sin. Depend on God for help.  3) Jesus predetermined that He was going to serve God.   Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the

one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (money).”

  Example of Joseph in Genesis 39: 7-9. Joseph predetermined that he was not

going to commit sin against God by sleeping with Potiphar’s wife.

How Do People React to Temptations?

• Simply give in

• Struggle with it daily

• Overcome temptation through power of Jesus Christ

Blessings in Overcoming Temptations

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

• The reward for victory over temptation will be the crown of life.

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Can We Sin Without Committing the Act?

• Yes! We can sin without committing the act.

Matthew 5:28 “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

• Anger- leads to hate and murder (1 John 3:15).

James 1:19,20 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

How Does Satisfying Body Become Sin?

1. Seeking gratification in excess: Sleep- lazy Food- gluttony

 2. Seeking gratification by means contrary (opposite) to God’s Word:  Satisfy desire for food by stealing

Satisfy desire for physical intimacy with someone outside of marriage or pornography

3. Seeking gratification in ways contrary to God’s original design and intention:

Food- Bulimia Sex- homosexuality, bestiality

4. Seeking gratification into something that becomes an idol: The fulfillment of that desire becomes more important than obeying God.

If you refuse to give up something for Jesus, that something is considered an idol.

When We Fall Into Temptation 1 John 2:1,2 “My dear children, I write this to you so that

you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (NIV)

  • Pray for forgiveness. “Repent therefore of this your

wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” (Acts 8:22)

• Pray with faith. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

• Repent with sorrow. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Cor 7:10)

When We Fall Into Temptation (cont)

• Ask for wisdom and strength from experience. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

• Count temptation as joy, knowing that it is producing patience and strength in you. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7)

 

Things to Remember 2 Peter 2:9 God will deliver us out of temptation  1 Peter 1:5-7 Growth comes from enduring  James 1: 2,3, 12 Attitude towards temptation  1 Cor 10:13 God will not allow what we can’t

handle

1 Peter 5:8 Satan is seeking to destroy us  Hebrews 4:15 All men are tempted even Christ but

Christ did not sin.

When Confronting Temptation, Ask Yourself:

• Could I ask Jesus to come with me when I go to these places like a casino or a bar?

• Would I feel comfortable if Jesus saw me here?

• Are these things that I am doing like drinking, premartial sex, cursing, etc, draw me closer to Jesus?

• Or do I not even think of Him when I’m doing or thinking those unChristian things?

• Think W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do?).

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him (James 1:12)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

"Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed.” GC, 559-600