Temptation Series1

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Paul told the Corinthians that temptation is “common to all men.”

It’s not “IF” you get tempted, but “WHEN” it comes knocking on your door.

So we are warned in verse 12 that:

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall…” because temptation will come unexpectedly, subtly, and well-placed to everyone.

Let me share some characteristics of temptation:

Temptation comes in the hour of weakness, weariness, and want.

Temptation strikes most when we are weary and in need—either physically, spiritually, or emotionally.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil approached Him…”

Notice how Satan moved in to take advantage of Jesus when he was hungry.

“…and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

In other words, use your power to meet your need.

This sounded reasonable. It was speaking to a legitimate need. It looked sensible. The best temptations always do.

But God’s power was not given to Jesus to use for Himself, but to minister to others.

Jesus saw the trap and replied, ““No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Likewise, the book of Genesis says that when Esau, the brother of Jacob, came walking out of the forest after hunting all day long:

“Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!”

Esau had a legitimate, God-given need—he was very hungry and tired.

But the tempter was nearby just waiting to take unfair advantage of his need. Remember this:

Satan doesn’t play fair. There are no rules of conscience in his playbook.

He is ruthless, cunning, diabolical, unholy, and cruel.

The tragic, painful consequences that follow his temptations mean nothing to him.

In fact, this is what he’s after—the destruction that his temptations bring.

He’s in it for the end game, the day when the consequences all come crashing in and lives are ruined.

Jesus said of Satan and his temptations: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”—John 10:10

Satan never weeps over a child’s tears, cries over a teenager’s destruction, or laments the death of his victims.

He is an equal-opportunity destroyer who hates God and the creation He made.

Esau was blinded by his hunger when Jacob said to him:

31 “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your birthright as the firstborn son.”

32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”

Look at how his immediate need blinded him to the higher value of his calling in God.

33 But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.”

Hebrews 12 tells us that Esau “traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.”

Temptation struck in the hour of hunger and weariness.

The Tempter and his temptations come disguised to appear legitimate, reasonable, even God-sent.

“Satan…dresses up as a beautiful angel of light.”—2 Cor. 11:14

Another translation says that Satan “disguises himself.”

DISGUISE: To change ones appearance; to masquerade as someone or something else; to wear a costume, to put on a mask.

When Satan approaches us, he puts on a mask, a disguise.

And of course he does! We wouldn’t listen for a moment if he appeared as himself.

THINK ABOUT IT: When we mention the name Satan, it immediately conjures up an image of evil, depravity, sorcery, and wickedness;

…but this is a diversion, a false idea to keep us from discovering Satan's most effective, infernal scheme—

--that of disguising himself as a being of light, of goodness, of one who is concerned with our needs and desires.

Satan and his servants will NOT appear to the majority of the world or "Church" as angels of darkness, but they will appear as angels of light…”

Satan’s disguises are many:

Satan can disguise himself in the well-meaning, sensible advice of a friend, as Peter did with when he tried to stop Jesus from going to the cross, “Far be it from you, Lord.”

Jesus saw the trap and said, “Get behind me Satan, for you only care about the things of men, not the things that be of God.”—Matt. 16:23

Satan disguises himself in sheep’s clothing through the teachings of false prophets. Jesus warned:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”—Matt. 7:15

Satan often disguises himself as very God, in an attempt to convince you that the temptation you’re experiencing is not wrong at all, but is sent from God.

“Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God…puts evil in no one's way.”—James 1:13

Satan dearly hopes you will miss the ever-present, subtle twisting of scripture, the hook that is embedded in everything he does...

This leads to a third tactic of Satan:

Temptation’s tactic is to maximize benefits and minimize consequences

Satan’s modus operandi is to turn your focus from the consequences to the immediate benefits of what he is offering.

The last thing he wants is for you to consider the consequences.

NOTICE: God’s word always focuses on the consequences.

“The wages of sin is death.”—Ro. 6:23

“The day you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will die.”—Gen. 2:17

Of the strange woman or the temptress, God warns men:

“The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.”—Prov. 5:4

CONSEQUENCES!!

In the hour of temptation, always turn your focus to the consequences. Sit down and consider the end game, the day of reaping when what you are sowing in sin comes out in harvest.

The good news is that Jesus is able to deliver us in the hour of temptation:

“For because He Himself has suffered being tempted (tested and tried), He is able to run to the cry of those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering.”—Heb. 2: 18