Do Not Let Us Yield

Bottom line

We need God’s help daily to overcome temptation

Opening Line

Ladies and gentlemen, it is Super Bowl Sunday!

Introduction

Without a doubt the biggest sporting event of the year is upon us. This year’s edition of the Super Bowl includes the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, the rematch that nobody wanted.

This year to run a 30-second ad during the big game would cost a company somewhere between 7-8 million dollars. For those who are financially minded, that works out to about $250,000/second. That is more than what OneChurch spends in a year. If you have enough money to spend $250,000/second for a commercial, we need to talk!

Main Point

Despite all these fun facts, I find it really interesting that we are talking about temptation on Super Bowl Sunday. Why does a company spend $7-8 million on a 30 second ad? Because they want to convince you to spend money on their stuff. It is their opportunity to convince you, to poke at the greed within each of you, that your life is missing something and this is it. Everything from junk food to cars, on full display.

Not only is there huge amounts of money spent on advertising, but the game itself. Average cost of a ticket for the big game in New Orleans is $6,900, not to mention travel, merchandise, food, hotels.

Cue Video

Well that’s awkward. Is it hot in here or it just me? Just give me a moment...

Now is there anything wrong with wearing a jersey of your favorite sports team? No. Is there a problem with going to a game? No. Is there a problem with football itself? No.

The problem comes when these other things begin to take priority over your faith. And football is the easy one to pick on because it is Super Bowl Sunday. But I could just as easily point out the drop in church during hockey season or ball season. I could point out how many people are willing to make sacrifices in their faith to appease family members. There are some who are willing to regularly skip church in favor of work, which could be fueled by either a need to accomplish and conquer or make an extra buck. Most of these things I’m hinting at revolve around Sunday morning. I haven’t even pointed out the temptation to start our day on our phones checking social media instead of checking in with our heavenly Father. I could also point out the unfortunate truth that many people will spend more time watching TV or enjoying a hobby of some sort instead of praying and reading God’s word.

Why it matters

My point isn’t to lay on a super thick dose of guilt. My point is actually to point out how much each of you is bombarded with temptation all day long. It comes in so many different forms, and targets so many different needs. Not all of the things I’ve mentioned is a temptation for everyone equally, but I would say that each of you has something that is a constant struggle. A vice that keeps calling you back.

This is why the second half of the Lord’s Prayer points to our daily need for God’s strength to persevere. So before we go too far, let’s read the Lord’s Prayer as the NLT translates it. I want to point out another strength of the updated language, while also reminding you of your daily need of God in more ways then one.

Scripture

Matthew 6:9–13 NLT

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Don’t let us yield to temptation

Now the old English version that many of you who grew up in church would know, says here

Lead us not into temptation...

Now that is an interesting way of phrasing it, and it begs the question, does God tempt people to sin?

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The answer to that question is a resounding NO. James 1:13

James 1:13 NLT

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.

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So no, God doesn’t tempt people. So why would you pray in such a way that suggests that He does?

The updated translation of the NLT says, ‘do not let us yield to temptation’, and I would say that captures the heart of the original language. What Jesus is saying in this prayer is that you will face temptation every day. At no point in the Bible does it say that temptation and trials will stop if you become a believer. Actually, more often then not the Bible says something closer to this.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Father, do not let me yield to temptation. Paul picks up the constant struggle that rest within each us in two other places.

Galatians 5:16–17 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Romans 7:18–25 NLT

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

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Can anyone relate to Paul’s struggle? This constant war within you mind between what is good and godly, and what is sinful and selfish.

Which is why Jesus taught us to pray the way He did. Father, I know that today I am going to be tempted to do the things I should not do. Help me have the strength to overcome. Do not let me yield to temptation.

But rescue us from the evil one

So on one hand you have the internal struggle, the sinful nature and selfish ambitions within you, drawing you to do what is contrary to the teachings of God. On the other hand, you have a spiritual enemy that is out to destroy you.

John 10:10 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 8:44 NLT

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

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You have a spiritual enemy, and he is not to be taken lightly. Just before advent we looked at this verse out of Jude.

Jude 8–9 NLT

In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.)

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It is passages like the one in Jude that makes me nervous when believers start talking about punching the devil in the mouth. You are talking about a supernatural being that is not to be taken lightly. His sole purpose is to destroy the church, and he has learned a few tricks along the way.

Why does a lion roar? To strike fear in anyone with distance of hearing him. Why is he the father of lies? Because since you first read about him in Genesis 3, he has been telling God’s people lies.

The request for God to deliver us from the evil one is a recognition that you are powerless before the devil, while also recognizing that your Father is more then able to deliver you. It comes from a place of great humility.

So what is the prayer unpacked? Father, I know that my faith will be tested and I will face many temptations today, and I need your strength to overcome those tests. I also know that I have a spiritual enemy that wants to destroy your church, so please rescue me from his schemes.

Transition to Application

Even though it is the final line of the prayer, it is a no less important part of Jesus’ teaching you to pray. Father, please meet my daily needs. My physical needs of food, drink, and shelter; my relational needs as I forgive everyone that may sin against me today; and my spiritual needs, as I try to overcome the temptations that I will face.

Main To Do

You need all those needs met daily, which is why Jesus taught us to pray accordingly. But prayer is not the only weapon you have at your disposal to overcome. So don’t mind me as I climb onto my soap box again and ride my hobby horse.

Daily Studying of God’s Word

Notice I said study and not just reading. I believe that the church has fallen for the trap that as long as I read the Bible everyday, I’m good to go. No you need to be studying it so that you truly understand it. When you read God’s word, there are cultural dynamics that are not always apparent. A good study Bible will help you capture that. You also need to reading it prayerfully. This is a spiritual book, and that means you need the Holy Spirit’s help to see what is going on. God also speaks through His word. It is amazing how often I am reading and something will jump off the page and apply exactly to what I’m going through. But that doesn’t happen when you power read through so you can check off the mental checklist.

Plug into community

Your faith isn’t a solo venture. You are designed to live life and faith in community. So many of God’s commands have the underlying the theme of community running through it. It is hard to love people if you are not around them. It is hard to forgive or encourage people when you’re not around them. In the same way, you are not meant to face the temptations of life alone. We are called to bear one another’s burdens.

That is why OneChurch has decided that small groups is a priority for us. When you come to church, you can worship and pray for people, and that is great. But small group is where you really connect with community. Your small group becomes the people you can ask for prayer from when life gets challenging. Your small group are the people who help bear your burdens. If you are not in a small group, you need to be. I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it. I can tell who is in a small group because each of you has grown in ways that you hadn’t before. You may not see it, but I do, and I know God does too.

Why it matters

Life is a battle. You are at war with a sin nature that wants what is contrary to what the Holy Spirit in you wants. You have a spiritual enemy who only wants to steal, kill, and destroy you.

When you make a commitment to pray and study God’s word everyday, and make gathering with God’s people a priority, and I mean more than once a week, you will find the strength to overcome the challenges you will face.

Without these three things, you will be susceptible to falling for the devil’s lies, you will lack the capacity to overcome the temptations that come your way, and soon your life will look no different from anyone else’s.

Closing Line

So what will you choose? Do you want to live in the victory that Jesus died to give you, or be defeated by the daily grind?

Discussion Questions

What stood out from the message?

How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to help resist temptation?

How can studying the Bible more deeply impact your ability to handle temptation?

What role does community play in helping you overcome temptations?

What is a temptation you often face, and how can you ask God for help with it?

How can you encourage your friends to prioritize their faith in light of everyday distractions?

How can you better support each other in your spiritual journeys and combat temptation together?

What specific struggles or temptations do you face that require God's daily strength?