Overcoming Temptation

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 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.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 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.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 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.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

MESSAGE POINTS

The Source of Temptation

V1 - “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

James 1:13–15 NKJV

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. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

“Enticed” = bait.

We are enticed by the world, the flesh, and the devil.

But it is us that gives into temptation.

The 3 Dimensions of Temptation

1 John 2:15–16 NKJV

15 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. 16 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.

The 3 Dimensions

The Lust of the Flesh

The Lust of the Eyes

The Pride of Life

The Pattern

Jesus’ temptations

Stones to Bread (Lust of the Flesh)

The Kingdoms of the Earth (Lust of the Eyes)

Throwing Himself off the pinnacle of the Temple (Pride of Life)

Eve’s temptation

Genesis 3:6 NKJV

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Our temptations

Sin will

Carry you further than you want to go,

Cost you more than you can afford to pay, and

keep you longer than you want to stay.

In the Australian bush country grows a little plant called the "sundew." It has a slender stem and tiny, round leaves fringed with hairs that glisten with bright drops of liquid as delicate as fine dew. Woe to the insect, however, that dares to dance on it. Although its attractive clusters of red, white, and pink blossoms are harmless, the leaves are deadly. The shiny moisture on each leaf is sticky and will imprison any bug that touches it. As an insect struggles to free itself, the vibration causes the leaves to close tightly around it. This innocent-looking plant then feeds on its victim.

Our Daily Bread, December 11, 1992.

Overcoming Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 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.

Jesus faced temptation and was victorious

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus can help us overcome temptation

Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

7 Points

Fast and Pray

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Be Filled With the Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Stand on the Word

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Flee from Lust

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Worship God Only

Exodus 20:3 NKJV

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Resist the Devil

James 4:7 NKJV

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.