What Does My Bible Say About TEMPTATION and TESTING
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
If some decisions are so bad, why does God allow it?
drinking
smoking
lying
sex outside of marriage
hatred
lustful eyes & mind
pride
disobey
dishonor God’s Day - Sunday
placing other gods before GOD
If this is all so bad… WHY DOES GOD ALLOW THE DECISION?
Why is there TEMPTATION or is it TESTING?
What if there is always BOTH in the same moments?
Will everyone turn to Hebrews 2:18?
Can someone take a detour to Matthew 6:9-13
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
We are going to settle in Hebrews 2:18 & James 1:12-21. Before we get there, who in here plays or enjoys…
volleyball
piano
basketball
guitar
baseball/softball
tech savvy/coding
great band players
great singer
academically smart
tennis/pickleball
great artist
memorized scripture
HOW DID YOU GET THERE? — testing & temptation
HOW DID YOU GET WHERE YOU ARE IN TERMS OF LIFE (relationship with Christ)? - testing and temptation
I share a few weeks ago that I have been trying to take a 2 mile walk 4-5 days a week. The TEST is will I exercise and the TEMPTATION is will I go chill on the couch and enjoy some chocolate chip cookies. Yesterday I decided to take the walk with my dog. While ending my walk, I remembered the chocolate chip cookies… and went to the store and purchased the cookies and ate them last night while do some writing.
We either PASS the TEST and FAIL to be TEMPTED
Or we FAIL the TEST and GIVE in to TEMPTATION.
Tonight, I want you to leave knowing the Biblical Design Difference of the TEST & TEMPTATION. Recognize it in your life and appropriately respond!
Think of it as TWO DOORS with me? The TEST is will you choose God’s Design. The TEMPTATION is will you choose the alternative option.
Let’s work through some Bible Stories together and decide what which was chosen: TEST or TEMPTATION
ADAM & EVE } Tree of Life or Tree of Knowing Good & Evil
ABRAHAM & ISAAC } Sacrifice his son on a mountain or bring the typical animal
ISRAEL AT MOUNTAIN } Wait at the base of the Mountain or build your own god in the form of a golden calf
ESTHER & ISRAEL } Stand up for God’s people or Stay in the safety of her palace
DAVID & GOLIATH } Approach the Giant or Return home to watch the sheep
JESUS & SERPENT } Trust in God’s Wisdom & Word or Allow the Serpent to
PETER AND CROWD } Publicly claim Jesus as Lord or Deny Jesus as Lord
Allow me to show you one more passage James 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
We have asked What Does My Bible Say about TESTING & TEMPTATION.
Let’s ask a really good follow up question - How do I prepare for Testing & Temptation?
FOCUS ON WHAT COMES FROM ABOVE (James 1:16-17)
FOCUS ON WHAT COMES FROM ABOVE (James 1:16-17)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This afternoon God used my final reflection time to open my eyes into my own life. Each of us face the TEST & TEMPTATION — TWO DOORS — Which will I/You choose?
So much we can look to others and compare and evaluate. In this we attempt to make our own decision, we miss real answers and guidance.
James writes: DON’T BE DECEIVED - let me evaluate what I am looking at.
James writes: EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE - maybe I am looking the wrong way. How do I start looking up?
ADAM & EVE } Tree of Life or Tree of Knowing Good & Evil
ABRAHAM & ISAAC } Sacrifice his son on a mountain or bring the typical animal
ISRAEL AT MOUNTAIN } Wait at the base of the Mountain or build your own god in the form of a golden calf
ESTHER & ISRAEL } Stand up for God’s people or Stay in the safety of her palace
DAVID & GOLIATH } Approach the Giant or Return home to watch the sheep
JESUS & SERPENT } Trust in God’s Wisdom & Word or Allow the Serpent to
PETER AND CROWD } Publicly claim Jesus as Lord or Deny Jesus as Lord
Did you know how your feet are planted in a conversation, ofter determines how much you care about the conversation?
Talking with mom & dad illustration
How and where your feet are planted matter because it determines where you looking and where you are going. If we are to face the TEST & TEMPTATION appropriately and look correctly (UPWARD) we must know where we are standing.
FILLED WITH THE TRUTH (James 1:18)
FILLED WITH THE TRUTH (James 1:18)
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The Word of Truth is JESUS!
Take note of the special part at vs 18 - “OF HIS OWN WILL”. You and I cannot save ourselves or another. Nor do we have to convince God to save us or trick God to save us. OF HIS OWN WILL - God chooses YOU.
Those filled with the WORD OF TRUTH are the firstfruits of his creatures. THAT IS INTERESTING!
Firstfruits ::: when people would give the first of the crops as an offering (firstfruits) it was an act of faith that God would bring about an abundant harvest! The full and final collection of the harvest will be eternity with New Heaven & Earth.
But there is an immediate response now — for the full collection harvest, we must be sharing the truth that is within us!
Here we approach our TWO DOORS — TEST and TEMPTATION
In sharing this truth, do you know what is next?
EXPRESS OUTWARDLY WHAT CHANGED INWARDLY (James 1:19-21)
EXPRESS OUTWARDLY WHAT CHANGED INWARDLY (James 1:19-21)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
This last focus sounds a little wordy but it is definitely REAL!
How you listen and who you listen to
How you speak and who you speak to
How you react and who you react to
Why does this matter? ANGER OF MAN DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD
This means we have to put away filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
THE IMPLANTED WORD — Jesus/The Word can be implanted onto your heart and life IF YOU WILL RECEIVE HIM. —— AMEN/OH YEAH
We are about to rap this up in a bow for you to take home but look back at verse 14 with me again…
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
