Overcoming Temptation
Real Struggles With Real Solutions • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 9 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Temptation is not a sign of spiritual weakness—it is a sign that we are in a spiritual war.
Every disciple of Christ faces temptation, and no one is exempt. Temptation comes when we are tired, stressed, isolated, or spiritually distracted.
It promises pleasure but hides the consequences.
It offers shortcuts but destroys character.
It whispers lies but blinds us to truth.
Even Jesus Himself was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11).
That means temptation is not sin — but how we respond determines whether we stand or fall.
God gives us clarity about what temptation is, how it works, and how to overcome it.
Today we will look at what the Bible teaches about temptation, God’s answers for victory, how to apply those answers, and how we can help one another to stand strong.
Body:
Understanding Temptation: One Source, Two Channels, Three Traps
Temptation ultimately comes from one source:
The devil, who uses the world to appeal to our weaknesses.
He is also called—
Satan— The name Satan means “accuser” or “adversary” (1 Chron. 21:1; Job 1:6-12).
The Temper— One who entices toward sin (Matt. 4:3).
Deceiver and Liar— One who intentionally deceives with lies (Rev. 20:10; John 8:44).
The Serpent—Genesis 3 calls him “the serpent” and Revelation 12:9,14 refer to him as “that serpent of old” to convey “his subtlety and his enmity, and venomous, hurting power.
The Dragon— This name emphasizes how scary he should be to us (Rev. 12:9).
A Roaring Lion—This name emphasizes that if he is given the chance he will devour us (1 Peter 1:5).
Belial— Paul calls him worthless because that is what Belial means (2 Cor. 6:15).
The Destroyer—Revelation 9:11 names his “Abaddon” (Hebrew) or “Apollyon” (Greek), “meaning the destroyer; the angel of the bottomless pit.”
Jesus said the devil is father of those who desire to do evil, a murderer from the beginning, absent of truth, and the father of lies.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
The Scripture also says that the whole world lies under the devil’s influence (1 John 5:19).
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
Jesus calls the devil “the ruler of this world” three times...
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Paul calls the devil “the god of this age” and “the prince of the power of the air.”
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
The world is the environment, the system, and the value structure the devil uses to tempt us.
We are not talking about the world that God made nor the environment or system or value structure but the world created by sin and the people that walk that path because they are many (Matt. 7:13-14).
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
This is how Satan is the “ruler or prince or god of this world.”
It is because people follow him.
The truly scary part is sometimes they do it unknowingly.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
This leads to the second part of this point — How the Devil operates.
The devil can operate through us if we allow it.
James says that it can be our own desires that draw us away.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
If we allow ourselves to have the wrong desires it can and will draw us away.
This is why it is vitally important that we have crucified our passions and desires.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
It is absolutely necessary that we align our passion and desires with God’s.
Paul records that aligning our passion and desires with Christ involves setting your mind on the things above and putting to death the things on the earth.
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
This takes a lot of work and ultimately will take our entire life time to accomplish but as we grow toward this we become more like Paul as he becomes like Christ (1 Cor 11:1).
Paul was not worried about who he was but who he was to become in order to save people.
Paul said that he crucified himself to become Christ.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Paul demonstrates that being crucified and not being worried about who you are allows you to become who you need to be in order to save people.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win (save) the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win (save) Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win (save) those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win (save) those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win (save) the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Paul says in this same discussion that it takes disciplining his body and bring it into subjection.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The devil does not want us to be concerned with other people needs; he want us to be concerned for our own wants and desires.
Paul said this in the next chapter.
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
The devil can also operate through other people in our lives.
He can tempt us to sin through family.
Job’s own wife urged him to “curse God and die.”
9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Have you ever heard the phrase “If it is good enough for my parents its good enough for me”?
Jesus said this concerning family.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
This is a quote from the Old Testament showing that this principle has always been true.
6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
Jesus said we have to love Him more than even family.
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
The devil can tempt us to sin through friends.
The Palmist said this...
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
This is basically saying “blessed is the man who does not make his friends the ungodly”.
The author of proverbs (probably Solomon) says...
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
This basically means do not make friends with fools because they will lead you astray.
Solomon also said...
24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
This means if you walk with sinners you are going to fall into temptation.
Amos said...
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
This means if you are make your friends people who are not living properly you will become like them.
Paul said something very similar.
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
This means that you cannot have evil friends and not expect to be effected by them.
He can tempt us to sin through our jobs.
Paul warns about desiring to be rich.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Ultimately, the devil can use anyone who yields to him—whether they do so knowingly or without realizing it.
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.
An example of willingly is Judas.
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
If Judas had been resisting Satan then he could not have entered him.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
An example of ignorantly is Peter.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Peter was not resisting here either but he thought he was doing good even though he was being used by Satan.
We are blessed because Satan cannot literally enter us today.
Zechariah told us when that timeframe would come to an end.
1 “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 2 “It shall be in that day,” says the Lord of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.
The book of Job demonstrates that God can and does limit the power of Satan to affect us.
Satan cannot overthrow our free will.
God would never allow someone who was willing to serve Him to be forcibly caused to sin.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Satan has to follow God’s rules.
In Job Satan had to come and present himself before God.
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
God asked him a question and Satan responded...
7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Then God brought Job in the conversation.
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Satan answered God—You built a hedge around him so I cannot consider him.
9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Satan understood that if God said he could not tempt Job then he could not touch him.
Satan asked God to “stretch out his hand and touch Job.”
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
God’s answer was...
12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
God said you but I am going to place a restriction on you.
The same thing repeats in chapter 2 but God changes the restriction.
6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”
Satan could not change God’s restriction; He had to have God change the restriction.
God’s restrictions on Satan from the New Testament.
If Satan is resisted then he must flee.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Faith has the power to stop Satan.
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Satan is limited as to how he can tempt us.
15 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. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Satan can not tempt us beyond what we are able to bear.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
God’s Answers to Temptation
God does not leave His people defenseless.
Scripture give four major answers:
Stand on the Word of God.
God said that man should live by and be sustained the word of God.
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus answer every temptation with “It is written”.
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Pray for Strength and Deliverance.
Jesus told His disciples:
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Resist the Devil
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Walk in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Implementing God’s Answers in Daily Life.
Biblical truth must become daily practice.
Scripture gives practical steps:
Fill your heart with Scripture
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Pray immediately when temptation strikes
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Remove access to temptation when possible
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Replace sinful habits with righteous ones.
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Stay spiritually alert
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Stay connected to the church
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
How Christians Can Help Others Facing Temptation
Temptation is not fought alone.
God designed the church to strengthen one another.
Provide Accountability
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
Restore Gently When Someone Falls
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Encourage with Scripture
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Pray for One Another.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Model Holiness
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The church is not a courtroom—it is a spiritual army.
We fight together. Amen?
Conclusion:
Temptation is real, but so is God’s power.
The devil may be the source, and he may use the world— made up of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life— to tempt us through ourselves and others.
But God has given us everything we need to overcome.
He gives us His Word to stand on, His Spirit to strengthen us, His people to support us, and His promise to provide a way of escape.
Victory is not found in your strength but in God’s.
When you stand on his Word, pray for His help, resist the enemy, and walk in the Spirit, you can overcome temptation.
And when we support one another, we strengthen the entire body of Christ.
Real struggle, Real solution. Real victory in Jesus.
