Temptations’ Goal?
is NOT to draw us closer to God.
Is NOT that we might Know God more intimately.
is NOT to cause us to Love God more affectionately and wholeheartedly.
is NOT to that us to Love Others more sacrificially.
Is NOT that we may rely on and Trust God with all of our heart.
Is NOT that we Glorify God as our end.
It offers us a way that is NOT God’s Way…Is Not for God’s Glory or our good.
WHERE DOES TEMPTATION COME FROM?
- Temptation comes from WITHOUT– demonic- as Jesus teaches in Matthew 4:1-11.
- Temptation comes from WITHIN as James 1:14-15 teaches.
Temptation comes from WITHOUT seeking to APPEAL to something that is WITHIN!
TEMPTATION IS APPEALING.
There is a temptation that appeals to each one of us! No, Not every temptation appeals to every person in the same way or at all, but various temptations will appeal to one person and not another but for that other person there will be a temptation that seeks to appeal to them! Not all are what are considered “gross,” some are subtle, pride for example, can be more subtle, looking down on others as inferior such as the two men who went to pray that Jesus speaks of. One thanks God he is not like others, “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’’-{Luke 10:11-12}. He appeals to his self-righteousness how he fasts and gives…and not like others! But the other man whom he had looked down on realized he was a sinner and asked God to have mercy on him a sinner! Jesus said that man went home “Justified before God.” -{ Read Luke 18:10-14}.
Certain temptations find something in us to appeal to and attract us, offering us something, outside of God’s will and His best for us. Offering us an alternative to God and His will as revealed in His Word. Listen to how James puts it…
- “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.”-{James 1:14-15}
Temptation is calling…
Temptation never tells you about the consequences if you choose to yield.
Temptation is NOT Sin, yielding to it is!
Temptation is no respecter of age, nationality, or sex. It comes in many ways. forms.
Temptation has no power over the followers of Christ except what we give it in our lives!
Temptation’s Goal is that you might YIELD to the temptation and sin against God and others.
TEMPTATION AND CONDEMNATION;
The evil one tempts us and if we choose to yield and sin then he is at the other end to ACCUSE and condemn, But Thank God His Son’s Blood and Word are sufficient to restore us and begin afresh, what a wonderful LORD and Savior we have.
Temptations Promise and Provision From God;
1.- GOD’S WORD;-
A.-“I have treasured Your Word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You.”-{Psalm 119:11}
B.- When Jesus was tempted He overcame through The Word of God, knowing and applying it. Three times He responded by referring to the Word of God as His authority, -“But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”-{Read Matthew 4:4,7,10}
C.- “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [a]lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”-{Phil 4:8}
D.- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [c]acceptable and perfect.
2.- GODLY PRAYER;
“Keep watching and praying, so that you will not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”-{Mark 14:38}
“Pray then in this way……Lead us Not into Temptation.” – {Read Matt 6: 9,13; Luke 11:4}. We have access to God to appeal for help!
3.- GOD’S SON;
WE HAVE A SYMPATHETIC HIGH PRIEST;
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.”- {Hebrews 4:15}
4.- FLEE AND PURSUE;
5. – GOD’S PROMISE AND POWER;
“No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”-{1 Cor 10:13}
Temptation Is a reality that we all face.
Not always the same type but all without exception face it in its various forms. We need not yield for we have a “But God…” for every temptation.
God has made provision for us in times of temptation!..
We have
- – God’s Word.
- – Godly Prayer-to appeal to Him for help
- – God’s Promise and Power
- – God’s Plan- Flee and Pursue!
THERE IS HOPE IF WE YIELD TO TEMPTATION AND SIN.
And should we yield thank God He has made provision through the Blood of the LORD Jesus that as we acknowledge our sin, turn from it, and trust His Son’s promise to forgive and cleanse us we can start afresh. We can be RESTORED! We can trust Him to help us look and learn from it and look away to Jesus leaning in on Him and His Word to strengthen us to guard that in which we yielded to sin through the specific temptation. Take Hope. We can begin afresh “In Christ.”
God Bless,
Aidan.