Warring with Temptation

What is Temptation?

Temptation is anything that draws our heart or mind away from God and into sin.

John Owens said, “It is a temptation if it causes a man to sin, gives him an opportunity to do so, or causes him to neglect his duty. Temptation may suggest evil to the heart, or draw out the evil that is already there. It is also a temptation to a man if something is by any means able to distract him for his communion with God.”

We see this definition supported in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve as Satan convinces Eve to doubt the goodness of God and His word and she is lead to think she can stand in the place of God. We can also see it in the temptation of Jesus as Satan tries to convince the starving Christ to obey him and to tempt God even though Christ doesn’t fall for it.

So, for us, temptations can come in many different ways, at many different times, and through many different avenues. One thing we can be sure of, though, is that temptation doesn’t come with Satan appearing with devil horns and a pitch fork. Temptation doesn’t scare us, rather it is attractive. James says this in James 1:13-15

James 1:13–15 NLT

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

So, what does this look like in your daily life? It might look like a good sports opportunity that will keep you from walking with the Lord. It looks like a pretty girl who isn’t a believer and pulls you from Christ. It looks like that person who knows how to press your buttons and send you over the edge. It looks like a video-game that you might be hooked to and when you remember that you haven’t spent time with the Lord, you say you’ll do it later and ignore Him for a game.

Now, realize that there is nothing wrong with a girlfriend or a video game, or a sport. But if it is something that is enticing you to forget the Lord, then it presents itself as a temptation that you need to be aware of.

The Weightiness of Temptation

Now, in verse 1-10 Paul shows us the seriousness of temptation as he reminds us of all that Israel witnessed in the Old Testament and that even though they saw such amazing miracles, they allowed temptation to bring them to sin. Paul reminds us, in verse 7 that in Exodus 32:6, the people of Israel had fallen into idol worship and that they committed themselves to pleasures that devolved into wicked, uncontrolled sins. He goes on to remind us of Israel’s sin in committing sexual immorality with the pagan women which resulted in 23,000 men dying. In verse 9, he reminds us of the judgment of God on Israel as they complained about being tired of how He blessed them with manna so He sent serpents to judge them.

What Paul wants us to realize here is that God uses these real events to teach us today about the seriousness of temptation and that it brings nothing but hardship upon us.

Think about how Adam and Eve were exiled from the perfect Garden. Think about how Moses got angry and struck the Rock which was Christ and was banned from entering into the promised land. Think about David and how he committed adultery and killed one of his most faithful men to try and cover his tracks. Think about Solomon and how he married lost women and how they pulled him from the Lord. Think about Peter and how he was so sure that he’d stay faithful to Jesus and how quickly he ended up betraying the Lord.

What we need to realize today is that temptation doesn’t bring satisfaction, but sin and with sin comes hardship and pain. This, again is what James said in James 1:14-15

James 1:14–15 NKJV

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.

This leads me to our third point for today which is

Dealing with temptation

In 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Paul says:

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NKJV

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 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.

Apparently these guys in Corinth though that they were bullet proof and had it all figured out, so Paul is trying his hardest to snap them out of that false idea that they have because he understood how serious it is. So, because we have taken a moment today and seen a little bit about temptation, let’s move further and look at some ways to combat temptation in our lives.

Do not think too highly of yourself.

Paul in verse 10 tells them to pay attention to the failures of all those great men who went before us and to understand that if they fail, we aren’t above it ourselves. This should remind us of Peter Luke 22:31-34. Look at how this plays out:

Luke 22:31–34 NKJV

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

When you think about some of the horrible sins you’ve seen others commit, what is your reaction? Do you think to yourself, “I would never!” Or do you find yourself reminded of how quickly we can all fall? Have you fooled yourself into thinking you’re in a good place and have it figured out? If so, Paul says to us today, if you don’t snap out of that, you’re going to fall hard.

Do not think that you’re alone.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;

Do you feel like you’re alone with the things that are tempting you? Do you feel hopeless and lonely? If so, Paul says that these temptations that you’ve been fighting and failing to are things that others often struggle with, but you’re not alone. He continues and says in 1 Cor. 10:13

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.

Notice, he didn’t say, “Yeah, everyone deals with this, but you’ve got it!” No, he says, But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but that God will give you an escape!

That word escape refers to a mountain passage and the image that Paul is giving us there is an army that is trapped in a mountain area and it looks like they’re going to all die but they find a mountain pass and are able to escape in the nick of time.

God wants you to know that when you’re facing temptation, He isn’t some place far off, He is right there and with you and if you’ll rest on Him, He will provide a way out.

Do not grow cold.

John Owen says that you know you’re being tempted because it seems that what you’re being tempted with is restless, urgent and argumentative. Meaning, it’s like you can’t get it out of your mind, it’s all in your face and its all your flesh is craving. It’s in that time that Satan will try and trick you by telling you to go ahead because your sins are forgiven anyway.

But what does the Lord tell us to do when temptation comes? To watch and pray. Matt 26:41

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

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

To watch means more than just to be awake. Rather it means to be on guard, to consider any way that the enemy might attack you.

The dog’s fence illustration.

Do you regularly take inventory of your life to see where Satan has been attacking you?

But not only should you watch, but you should pray for wisdom and power to overcome these temptations from the Lord. We can’t do this alone. But with Him, we are more than overcomers. Guys, if you’re in sin right now, you need to take it to the Lord and beg Him to show you how serious your sin is. You need to meditate on the gospel and see how Jesus died for sinners. I encourage you to come to me or someone you know loves and cares for you and share your burden and we will walk with you. We won’t condemn you, we want to see you walk in the light of His grace!