Did the Devil really make me do it

Intro: A little boy walks into his neighbor’s Apple Farm and sits down at the base of a tree. The apples look beautifully delicious. The Farmer sees him sitting there eyeing his delicious apples and says “What are you trying to do? Steal an apple?” The boy said “No sir, I’m trying not to steal one.”

Today we are talking about a real and relevant issue, Temptation. Temptation is the desire to do something, in Biblical context (peirasmos) it is a trial given for the purpose of making you stumble or fall into sin. It is a problem for all mankind dating back to the Garden of Eden, in this chapter we learn that Israel succumbed to the temptation to serve other god’s. Many in Corinth fell to the temptation of immorality, and division. Today we succumb to various temptations each day. Even the born again believer in Jesus..... why is that!

In 1970, Flip Wilson told the story of how the good Rev. Leroy from the “Church of What’s Happening Now” wife bought three new dresses in one week from the most expensive dress shop in town, she didn’t want to buy that 3rd dress saying “the devil made me do it.” The devil is the tempter but we willingly succumb to temptation because we love the world more than we love the Lord (1 John 2:15).

I. The Reality of Temptation (A)

Temptation is real as rain, and is a reality for every person. It is inevitable and common to humanity! Adam and Eve were tempted, even Jesus was tempted, and as long as we are encased in human flesh we will be too. Rest assured my friend, you will be tempted, its a part of fallen nature.

Tempted {v} (peirazō) is the verb form of temptation in means to undergo a test for the purpose of making one sin. Paul says that “No temptation has overtaken you but what is common to man” meaning temptation is more than a reality, it is the reality that our temptation isn’t greater than anyone else’s. The temptations that come against us are not special, they are the same that everyone faces. Therefore, we believers have no excuse to fall to it because we can recoginize it when it comes!

ILL: Rev. Leroy’s wife told him that she heard the devil tip toing behind her as she stood in front of that dress shop. She knew she was about to be tempted. We ought to know too!

You see, there is nothing new under the sun, its the same old temptation since the beginning of time only dressed a little differently. The Bible tells us it comes in three forms (1 John 2:16 ) the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. That’s how Adam and Eve were tempted (Gen. 3:6), they saw the forbidden fruit was “good for food, it was a delight to the eyes, and it was desirable to make one wise.” It was the same with Jesus in Matt. 4:1-11 and its the same way we are tempted too.

APP: (GI JOE- “Knowing is half the battle) An easy way to remember this is Feel it, See it, Be it. Temptation appeals to your sinful cravings, coveting, and ego/status. To overcome temptation we must acknowldege the reality of it, recognize its form, and take heart knowing that others have overcome the exact same things.

II. The Reminder for Temptation (B)

Paul gives us a much needed reminder, “God is faithful” {pistos} meaning trustworthy and always reliable. Life may have its temptations but they are never caused by God (James 1:13) God is faithful (Deut. 7:9) (1 Cor. 1:9), He is unchanging, always present, always caring, promising to not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist [more on this in a moment]. So then where does temptation comes from.

A. Satan

It was Satan who tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden, It was Satan who tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:3). Paul calls him the tempter in 1 Thes. 3:5. He is the enemy of our soul and the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9). He hates God and us and will do anything to break our fellowship. He is that mean bully at school who trips you as you walk by then laughs when you fall. He is experienced and artful in his temptation.

ILL: He told Rev. Leroy’s wife, that it wouldn’t hurt just to go inside the dress shop again, then told her that it wouldn’t hurt to try the dress on. His temptations are often subtle and hard to say no too.

B. Self

The devil is not to blame for everything. There is another source of temptation, ourselves (James 1:14). Its our fallen nature to do wrong, sin is ingrained in our DNA, and the desire to sin comes naturally.

ILL: I’m reminded of the little boy who called his little sister a bad name, hit her with the broomstick, then spit on her. His mom got on to him saying “you should not have done that, but I know the devil made you do it.” The boy said, “The devil made me call her the bad name and hit her with the broomstick, but spitting on her was my idea.”

APP: Temptation comes from Satan and self, but we have a great reminder during those times, God is faithful! Trust Him!

III. The Remedy for Temptation (C)

We do not have to fall pray to temptation. Rev. Leroy’s wife said the devil made her do it, and held her at gun point as she signed the check that paid for her new dressed. She chose to buy that dress, how we respond to temptation is up to us.

A. Flight

Some people are proactive, meaning they carefully guard your life by not putting themselves in a position to be tempted.

ILL: years ago, I saw a skit on Hee Haw, a patient came in to see Doc. Campbell. He said, “Doc, I broke my arm in two places.” The wise old doc replied “We then stay out of them places. When I traveled I stayed out of those places, but if you are not careful you will find yourself living in a bubble which is not God’s plan for us. We must be amongst lost people in order to fulfill the great commission.

B. Fight

Temptation is going to come even if you live in a bubble, but God is faithful! He will give you a way to overcome and He promises to not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist. Notice God’s call to endure/bear it {hypopherō} meaning to stand up under. Jesus gives us the perfect example to follow (1 Cor. 11:1)

1. Fight with the Word

In the wilderness Jesus was tempted with the lust of the flesh (Matt. 4:3), He had not eaten in forty days and the devil tempted Him to turn “these stones into bread.” Jesus fought back with the Word of God (Deut. 8:3), obeying that word. While confronted with the lust of the eyes “All these kingdoms I will give you (Matt. 4:8-9)[you don’t have to go to the cross]. Jesus fought back with the Word of God (Deut. 6:13) in obedience! When confronted with the pride of life and Satan’s misuse of Scripture “Throw yourself down… angels will catch you” Jesus fought back with the Word of God in context (Deut. 6:16), obeying it! Ps. 119:11!

Satan can not stand against God’s Word and self becomes renews through God’s Word, it is certain victory. DL Moody’s worn Bible from which he preached to millions in the 19th century; had these words written in the flyleaf “The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible! Fight with God’s Word.

2. Fight with Prayer

Along with God’s Word we must prayer, calling on God’s faithfulness, that's what Jesus did during the greatest temptation of His life, while facing the cross Jesus prayed (Luke 22:42), that’s how Jesus teaches us to pray (Matt. 6:10,13).

Con: Did the devil make us do it, No we did it by choosing the things of the world over the will of God. But you can be an overcomer by understanding the reality of temptation, It is coming and its not unique. Remember God is faithful and gives us all the tools to fight with, His Word and prayer,