LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Temptation and Evil

The Devil (Satan is called the tempter), The World, and The Flesh

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

1 John 2:15–16 “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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

Truths About Temptation

The Lord never tempts us.

See James 1:13–15...

God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

See 1 Corinthians 10:12–13...

Deliver Us From Evil

Depend on the Lord for deliverance.

Jeremiah 17:5 “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”

John 17:15 “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

2 Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,”

See 2 Timothy 4:16-18...

Some ways we are delivered.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

James 1:2–4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Take Heed Lest You Fall

“Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.” — John Owen

Colossians 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from every form of evil.”

Make use of the resources God has given us!

Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

James 4:7–8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Ephesians 6:10–11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”