The Tempter

Introductory thoughts:

The implication is apostasy: rebellion or abandonment of faith. In the OT it refers to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

Apostasy in the OT:

It is an abandonment of faith in the Lord and in His Word.

Proposition: Because the LORD has marvelously saved us, we must be serious about Satan’s attempts to bring about apostasy.

What are the means of the Tempter?

(a) Who is the tempter?

It is Satan who is an enemy of the gospel.

It is Satan who tries to destroy the faith of God’s people.

Notice how many times Paul refers to Satan:

(b) The meaning of “temptation” - It can be defined as both a solicitation to do evil or a trial of any kind.

(c) The word “moved” means - to wag the tail, to fawn over.

Bible Exposition: the idea is that Satan often flatters the believer in order to lead him astray.

(c) There appear to be two particular means that Satan uses:

A temptation by appealing with lust -

Satan uses physical and verbal affliction: - (example )

Satan uses affliction in combination with lust - (a combination of affliction to encourage lustful pursuits)

Satan uses other people to bring about affliction - ,

devil in heart of Judas Iscariot

Application:

This means that if the scripture is continually warning us about this evil individual, we must not take for granted his existence or the means that he uses.

Our concern for others who are believers should be marked by a concern for their susceptibility to the roaring lion.

Recap: What are the means of the tempter?

What is the goal of the Tempter? -

For us to understand better the goal of the tempter, we must understand better what God’s intention in bringing the gospel to Thessalonica was “faith”

,

, ,

(a) (v. 2) “establish” - to strengthen

(b) (v. 2) “comfort” - exhort, implore, urge

(c) The word “moved” means - to wag the tail, to fawn over.

Bible Exposition: the idea is that Satan often flatters the believer in order to lead him astray.

(b)

Whether by affliction or by an appeal to the lust: Satan’s ultimate goal is to weaken or destroy faith in the Word of God.

With Job it was to cause Job to curse God and die.

With Jesus in the wilderness, it was an appeal by the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

With Jesus in his passion, it was an attempt by severe agony.

The goal of the temptation is to cause you to abandon your new alliance to God. - PNTC

Application:

Recap: What are the means of the tempter?

Recap2: What is the goal of the tempter?

ILLUSTRATION:

Cares of this world

Deceitfulness of riches

Lusts of other things

Unbeliever: To the person who has not given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master, you may be hearing the word; but you need to see all of these other things as enemies of the gospel.

Married: To the married individual, Satan tempts those who are not living according to sound doctrine in their marriages -

Believers: Un-forgiveness is a lack of faith in the word of God (this gives Satan the advantage) ,

What are the practical implications of the tempter’s work?

The tempter’s success means the empty work of the laborers of God.

Application:

Quite simply:

Anything that seeks to destroy or weaken your faith in Jesus Christ must be viewed as an enemy of the gospel and a partner with the Tempter.

(2) Satan’s goal has always been the same, by means of affliction or alluring, to cause you to question/doubt the Word of God.

(3)

ILLUSTRATION:

Cares of this world

Deceitfulness of riches

Lusts of other things

Unbeliever: To the person who has not given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master, you may be hearing the word; but you need to see all of these other things as enemies of the gospel.

Married: To the married individual, Satan tempts those who are not living according to sound doctrine in their marriages -

Believers: Un-forgiveness is a lack of faith in the word of God (this gives Satan the advantage) ,

Concluding thoughts:

(a) Unbeliever, give God glory tonight and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(b) Believer, give God glory tonight and don’t be allured into bitter, vain living.