Healthy pastors recognize and resist temptation.

(A Pastor) must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Jesus was TEMPTED, and He RESISTED. Matthew 4:1-11

1

Jesus has already FACED and resisted any temptation we ENCOUNTER.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15

2

Temptation comes in many FORMS.

…not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1 Timothy 3:3

3

God always provides an EXIT from temptation.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

4

2 Samuel 11:2-5One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

Never think that you are BEYOND temptation. 1

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

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

A wicked THOUGHT is only a temptation until the thought is ENTERTAINED.

2

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.2 Timothy 2:22

When tempted, don’t look TWICE; instead, RUN away!

3

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

When you have fallen into sin, don’t COVER it up. CONFESS it!

4

The best RESPONSE when we have sinned is full confession and REPENTANCE.

5

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassions blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, Have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…

…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the

joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:1-

12