Responding to Temptation

Morning Music:

Jesus Paid It All 96

Lord, I Need You 153

Theme: Though Satan’s hateful devastating attacks against us to sin beset us we must respond in belief and worship to our All-Good God.

Scripture: Job 1, 2

Introduction: We’re going to deviate from our regular series for a while to consider how a believer in Christ should respond to sin. I need this study just as much if not more than everyone else because of my sin. Every time I turn around or seemingly let my “spiritual” guard down I go back to my sin. I desire that we together in considering a few different examples from Scripture would always turn to God away from sin. We’re going to consider first the amazing example of one man this morning who endured through his temptation to sin against God even though he was in both physical and emotional torture. Let’s consider this morning and for the rest of our lives for that matter that: Though Satan’s hateful devastating attacks against us to sin beset us we must respond in belief and worship to our All-Good God.

Consider Job’s character (V.1-5)

Perfect

Upright

Feared God-Example: children

Eschewed evil

Consider Satan’s attack (V.6-12)

“Job fears You, God, because You’ve prospered him.”

“Job will curse You, God, (and thereby will sin against You) if You would destroy everything He has.”

What can we learn from Satan’s encounter with God?

Satan tempts man to sin because he hates God and therefore all men, so we must reject his temptations. (I John 3:28; Is it logical to do something good to someone who hates you?)

Though God allows Satan to carryout evil on the earth, he is still bound by God in his doings.

We must remember the attributes of God.

God is Good, all the time. (Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him., Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way., 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him., 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee., 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations., 106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever., 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever., 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever., 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever., 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes., 135:3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant., 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.)

God can do anything and is not limited by anyone or anything. (Jeremiah 32:17, 27)

God knows everything and needs no instruction. (Isaiah 40:13-14 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?, Psalms 139:1-6 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it., 17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.)

He does not need our counsel.

He knows everything about everyone at all times!

He has plans for us that, no matter how difficult the process, He will accomplish.

Though we do not always understand why God does what He does in order to accomplish His plan we do understand His purpose in His plan: to make all believers like Christ. (Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)

Consider Job’s Temptation (V.13-22)

His losses

Livestock

Oxen and donkeys destroyed by a band of the Sabeans

Sheep destroyed by “fire from heaven”

Help-destroyed with the sheep

Transportation

Children

His response

He mourned his losses

Rent his mantle

Shaved his head

Worshipped-resigned himself to God’s Will

Acknowledged his position before God

Blessed God’s Name

His testimony

Did not sin against God

Did not charge God foolishly

What can we learn from Job’s temptation to sin?

Even good men go through hard times, but are no less accountable for their actions before God.

Believers in Christ must respond to temptation in believing obedience.

Believing what God’s Word says about God.

Obeying what God’s Word says about how we treat God and respond to sin.

Conclusion: What is our commitment to obeying God this morning? Will we obey Him in spite of terrible circumstances that may come our way? What is our resolve against sin this morning? Will you commit to obey God and not serve Satan? Satan hates you, but God loves you; He has said so and demonstrated that love through Christ-Romans 5:8 But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Love God more, hate sin more, obey God evermore, and serve God all the more.