TEMPTATION
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
INTRODUCTION:
Young child learning to walk must be careful
Focuses on every step, goes slow, still easy to lose balance and fall
As grows older, stronger, more experienced still danger of falling but less
Always danger of tripping and falling!
NEW CHRISTIAN easily tripped up – grow so less danger
WALK DOWN ROAD, Jesus at end of street, false-fronts on either side to get us distracted, turned aside
LIES Satan uses to appeal to flesh
Get eyes off Jesus/Holy Spirit and onto self
Interfere with sp growth
Spiritually true, too
Satan in control of world system, all against sp growth
Satan tries best to keep new bel from growing
Esp new bel hit hardest
Get eyes off Jesus and onto self!
I. TEMPTATION
(talk about temptation: what it is, why it happens, what to do about it)
Illegitimate way to meet a legitimate need
1. Temptation isn’t sin – Matthew 5:27
Matt 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
2. God doesn’t tempt us to sin – James 1:13-15
James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
Y IN THE ROAD – go either direction
TEMPT – by Satan to sin, not trust God, meet own needs own way
TEST – by God, opportunity to trust, grow, see Him work
3. Everything can be resisted with God’s help – I Corinthians 10:13
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
4. Example: Joseph (OT) Genesis 39:1-20
LUST – Potiphar’s wife Genesis 39:6-20
DAVID – 2 Sam 11:1-4
5. Cleansing –I John 1:9
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
TRANSITION
Temptation comes from how we view things
What we expect God to do for us
How we view difficulties in life, not having all we want right away