Temptation pt 2

Bible Study: “Watch What You Let In”

PART 1: How the Enemy Tempts You

Matthew 4:1–11 ESV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Main Idea:

Temptation targets your desires, identity, and control

3 Temptations Simplified

Needs (Bread) → “You deserve this now”

Identity (If you are…) → “Prove yourself”

Power (All this I’ll give you) → “Take the shortcut”

Key Truth

Temptation is often a good thing offered in the wrong way or time.

Anchor Question

Where are you most tempted right now: comfort, approval, or control?

PART 2: What You Let In Shapes You

Main Idea:

If you entertain the lie, it will take root in your heart

Simple Progression

Temptation → Thought → Belief → Behavior

Core Warning

You don’t fall into sin instantly—you drift there by what you allow in.

Jar Illustration (Simple Version)

Fill jar = what you consume (truth or lies)

Shake jar = pressure of life

What spills out = what’s inside

Anchor Question

What are you consistently letting into your mind?

PART 3: What Comes Out Reveals What’s Inside

Matthew 12:33–37 ESV

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Main Idea:

Your words and actions expose your heart

Key Statements

“A tree is known by its fruit”

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”

Connection Back

Jesus rejected lies → purity remained

We accept lies → they come out later

Final Warning

If you keep letting lies in, they will eventually come out.

Anchor Question

What do your words say about what’s in your heart?

Closing Challenge

Remove one source of temptation

Replace it with truth (Scripture)

“Guard what goes in—because it will come out.”