Untitled Sermon (3)

Overcoming Addictions in Christ

Breaking the Bondage of Temptation (Lesson 6)

A. Temptation is the enticement to sin.

· Temptation is made up of two parts:

1. First, you face a trial. -The trial brings suffering.

§ It could be feelings of intense suffering over some pain from your past or physical pain.

§ It could be an intense longing for pleasure.

§ It could be simply feeling bored.

§ It could be a strong desire to fit in.

§ It could be feelings of anxiety.

2. The second part of temptation is enticement. The enticement promises to relieve suffering in a selfish and sinful way.

§ Alcohol or drugs predictably numb the pain or at least make you not care.

§ Sexual immorality, pornography, alcohol, and drugs can all give pleasure.

§ Your addiction can also be a time filler; it can make you feel like part of the group, or it might relieve anxiety.

B. The source of our temptation.

<Ephesians 1:1-3>

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

· v.1 tells us who we are before coming to Christ.

o This is why being born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit is essential.

1. The world tempts us to sin. (v.2a)

2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world,

· The unbeliever lives to fulfill personal desires.

2. The devil is also involved in temptation. (v.2b)

2baccording to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

1 Peter 5:8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

· All temptation to sin is connected to satan leading as many as possible to rebel against God.

3. The lust in our hearts tempts us. (v.3)

3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

James 1:14–15But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

C. Why does it matter whether people give in to temptation?

1. Because God is holy.

2. Because the wages of sin is death.

3. Because God has commanded us not to sin.

· To disobey God and choose to sin is a rebellion against God.

Many people dismiss this clear teaching in Scripture because they either don’t believe God is really there or they believe things about God that contradict what the Bible teaches.

Galatians 6:7–9 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

If you live your life in rebellion to God and trust that you’re a child of God, please ask yourself: What do you base your certainty of salvation on?

D. Where is God in our temptation?

Why doesn’t He take away our desire?

1. Adam’s temptation in the garden is a helpful example to learn from.

a) Genesis 1-2 focuses on God’s activity and statements, and then in Genesis 3:9-24, we

also see God’s activity and words.

o However, why is God silent and seemingly uninvolved when He is needed most in Genesis 3:1-8?

b) God gave Adam everything he needed for life and godliness, including instruction about retaining eternal life (cf. Genesis 2:16-17).

c) Adam was then required to live by faith and obey God.

Why did God do this?

· God allowed Adam to love and trust God through walking by faith in righteousness.

· If you’re a Christian, Jesus has promised to never leave you or forsake you.

o But you also must know that without faith, it’s impossible to please God, and so God allows temptation, in part to give us opportunities to trust God and to grow in our faith.

o However, in Christ, you can overcome temptation. -You are no longer a prisoner to sin.

E. Three keys to overcoming temptation.

1. Rely on Jesus to overcome.

a) Know that Jesus understands your temptations.

· You overcome them by drawing near the throne of grace to receive mercy, grace, and help.

Hebrews 2:18For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

The fact that Jesus became a man means He experienced temptation too.

He understands what it feels like to fight,

· But He also knows how to win.

b). Jesus has provided the way to resist when you’re tempted.

<1 Corinthians 10:13>

2. Put to death the sin in your flesh.

Galatians 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

· Your sinful flesh craves comfort, pleasure, and satisfaction.

Crucifying the flesh means you refuse to live to satisfy lust and desire.

· If you want something that’s a sin, refuse to give in.

a) Oftentimes, this means fleeing from temptation.

Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.

b) Mortification always means being watchful and resisting temptation.

Romans 8:12–13 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

3. Confess and forsake when you choose to rebel.

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

· In Christ, you don’t have to live in bondage to temptation; therefore, follow Jesus by putting to death the sinful desires of the flesh.

Five Keys to Overcoming Addictions in Christ this week:

1. What to pray: Focus your prayers this week on God’s love, grace, and kindness before asking for help. Then pray Matthew 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

2. What to remember: You don’t have to give in to temptation; if you do, repent to God, pray for strength, and make different choices. If you’re a Christian, God will give you victory.

3. What to memorize: 1 Corinthians 10:13-14

4. What to study: Matthew 4:1-11. Carefully observe how Jesus used the truth of God’s Word to respond to the lies of temptation. Notice that He didn’t just quote a Bible verse, but rather if you go back and look at the context of the verses He quoted, it’s the exact biblical truth that contradicts the lie of that temptation.

5. What to do: Following the example, you study from Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4 and using the “Passages for Life’s Problems” you received last week or a Bible concordance, come up with your list of Bible verses to fight the lies of temptation you’re commonly facing. Write your list down and keep it with you to use.