Sovereignty Over Temptation & Forgiveness

Introduction

Stories of Temptations and Failures (or a list of Temptations)

One lingering glance → eventually pornography and adultery.

One lie to avoid embarrassment → becomes a pattern of deception.

One skipped prayer because you're busy → weeks of spiritual dryness.

One bitter thought left unchecked → years of resentment.

One flirtatious text "just being friendly" → emotional affair.

One click on an inappropriate website → addiction.

One missed church gathering without good reason → gradual isolation from God's people.

One dishonest expense report → career-ending fraud.

One gossip-filled conversation → broken friendships and church division.

One angry outburst → fractured marriage or relationship.

One compromise with integrity at work → a lifestyle of cutting corners.

One drink for someone struggling with alcoholism → relapse.

One moment of envy → discontent with God's provision.

One proud thought ("I deserve this") → a heart resistant to repentance.

One neglected confession of sin → a hardened conscience.

David looked at a woman bathing and this led to him committing adultery and murdering her husband & spent the rest of his life dealing with the family consequences.

To best understand temptation and God’s sovereignty we must trace it back to it’s origin.

Temptation is the weapon Satan used to bring sin into the world (Gen 3) that brought mankind to be separated from God. It is no light subject. Falling into temptation is often treated as a mere hiccup, a falling, a tripping, a stumble, a wobble along the way, but falling into temptation is no hiccup, sin is never an oopsie. Sin is an offense against God.

We live in a culture that has fought long and hard to change the biblical categories to their own categories. This culture seeks to change the category “Sinner” to “Victim”.

‘Illustration’ - The Burning House (neighbor goes and burns neighbors house) & the attorney makes the case for the guys abusive background. (Prob.Not.Needed)

But let me tell you this, to rebel against God is to never be the option. No matter the circumstance, nor scenario, that should never be our response. And, yet, however, we choose sin all the time. We fall into temptation all the time.

As today, our main subject is temptation, let’s define temptation:

In our western culture, since the 17th century, we automatically assume temptation in the bible just means “enticing or alluring someone to sin”. This is a way in which the bible does use the word temptation. A better definition is:

“Temptation is Any thing, state, way, or condition that, upon any account whatsoever, has a force or efficacy to seduce, to draw the mind and heart of a man from its obedience, which God requires of him, into any sin, in any degree of it whatsoever.” - John Owen

When the word is used in this way, it does not apply to God. God does not tempt anyone (James 1) is clear. However, the primary use of the word in the bible is often “to test” as the “the act of testing people or items in order to determine or show something about them” - New International Dictionary of the Old Testament Theology & Exegesis

My objective today is to look at the ways in which we are tempted and experience temptation and how God’s sovereignty informs and effects us.

Transition: To best understand temptation I want to take us to the beginning where Adam & Eve first fell into temptation and help us observe truths that will best inform us as to temptation and God’s Sovereignty. (Prob.Not.Needed)

First, I want us to understand how we are tempted and so I want to take us to the beginning where Adam & Eve first fell into temptation. Turn with me to Genesis 3:1-7

Let’s Read: Genesis 3:1-7

1. Satan, the tempter

Adam & Eve were not alone in the garden. There was not a mere psychological and decisional failure that merely derived within the inside of man. There was a tempter. An active devil who was externally tempting Adam & Eve. The reality of Satan is true. The reality of demons are true. Their sole focus is to seek, to kill, and to destroy. They desire for you to oppose God and rebel against Him. They do this through their fiery darts in the hopes to tempt you to sin against God.

We as reformed Christians must not forget this reality, Satan is a tempter.

Look with me at what Martin Luther says of Satan,

“As the enemy of Christ, his primary weapon is talk, and his principal tool is a lie. He wants to, by all means necessary, overturn Christ’s gospel through slandering, accusing, cursing, lying, and mocking his victims.” - L’ubomír Batka, “Luther’s Teaching on Sin and Evil,” in The Oxford Handbook of Martin Luther’s Theology, ed. Robert Kolb et al., Oxford Handbooks (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2014), 249–250.

What Satan & his puppets do is they bring about slandering, accusing, cursing, to tempt you. They want you to be enticed by their words that you would fall. To this Martin Luther says, “For he is a foe that never desists nor wearies; when one temptation is discontinued, others and new ones always arise.”.

The world (Those who do not have Jesus Christ) they are ruled by this talk:

Listen to the voices that most often are present in the mind of the world:

YOLO - Party, Sleep with her, just do it, who cares

Your stressed: Let’s go out and have a drink, let’s party, live life.

Don’t get married too fast.

T.V. Shows: Majority seem to carry the same agenda (sex before marriage, good guy commits sin to get the victory over the bad guy, get the money, or the pursuit of the high life and you finally get it.

2. The Second way a sinner is tempted is by the sinners own desires

Read with me Genesis 3:6 and what you will see is [lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life]

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food [desires of the flesh],

BUT GOD SAID, IT WAS NOT FOR HER TO EAT, BUT SHE BEGAN TO CRAVE IT WHEN SHE SAW IT. It’s a “I want to be satisfied by this” and God did NOT intend for you to crave it nor be satisfied by it.

Examples of this are:

Sex outside of marriage — "God says wait, but I want satisfaction now."

Pornography — seeking sexual satisfaction apart from God's design.

Adultery — craving intimacy that belongs only within one's covenant spouse.

Drunkenness — "I want alcohol to numb my pain or make me happy."

Gluttony — using food for comfort, escape, or emotional satisfaction rather than nourishment.

Comfort as an idol — "I don't want discomfort, sacrifice, or suffering."

Laziness — craving ease when God calls us to diligent labor.

Overspending and consumerism — "If I buy this, I'll finally feel fulfilled."

Emotional gratification — demanding that others constantly affirm, appreciate, or validate me.

Revenge — craving the satisfaction of getting even instead of trusting God's justice.

Escaping responsibility — choosing temporary pleasure over obedience.

Look back at verse “and that it was a delight to the eyes [desires of the eyes],”

Seeing it is NOT bad. But it’s the being captivated by it that is sinful.

Examples:

Seeing mansions in Miami is not sin, but coveting over it, is.

Seeing a beautiful person is not sin, lusting after it is

Seeing someone else’s success is not sin, envying it is

Seeing someone happy is not sin, being jealous of their happiness is.

Next, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise [pride of life], she took from its fruit and ate” (Genesis 3:6).

Example:

I’m taking the job promotion because this will give me that title where I feel top notch

I’m all about work because life is about the grind and this makes me feel accomplished.

What are you finding satisfaction in, possessing, or wanting to be?

To summarize: Temptation comes from Satan and comes from our own sinful desires that give birth to sin. (James 1)

3. Falling into Temptation only brings you to sin against God, leaves you guilty before God, shames you, & produced death & spiritual seperation from God.

Genesis 3:7 “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” - guilt/shame.

Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson, Daily in Christ (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2000). [See here, here, here.]

So far, we have reflected on a world that in so far as there is a tempter, there will be temptations. Secondly, in so far as sin is always present, there will always be sinners. Through the fall of man the heart and mind have been corrupted by sin. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”. The world is hiding in their sins, guilt, and shame.

Note on God’s Sovereignty

But now, what about God and His Sovereignty? How does it speak into this situation?

Because if God is Sovereign, then God allowed Satan to tempt Adam & Eve. He let Adam & Eve be enticed by sin. In the same way, God let’s Satan tempt us now, and let’s us be enticed by our sins now? How does God’s Sovereignty speak into this?

John Lennox Story-Atheists Asks “Where is God in his evil and allowing man to fall” and Lennox looks at him and says, “you’ve only pointed at God and complained about the situation we are in? But what does your atheism propose is the solution? What solution do you bring? Then the atheism asks, and what solution does your bible bring to the problem?

Look with me at Genesis 3:15 & the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Preach) who faced temptation in every way imaginable, died on the cross, and offers us forgiveness of sins.

Illustration of lady at Bayside:

I want to close with answering the question how does God being in Control help us to answer this lady?

If we dont have the Gospel as our glasses there is no possible way to forgive this person

Know that God’s Justice will be served

Know that God will save His people from the presence of sin, Satan, and His puppets, and those who are still clothed as sinners and not in Christ.

To us this is comfort, hope, and gives us the love and strength to forgive.

Transition: Let’s go back to this world.

And, but, interestingly, God promised a seed to come, and said that he would be bruised

The promised seed, is God’s Sovereignty saying, the world has fallen, but everything is under control, victory over sin and evil will come.

Jesus came into the world born of a virgin, fully man and fully God. Started by being led by the Spirit into the wilderness (not the garden) to be tempted by Satan and He did not sin. Satan and His puppets sought to tempt Christ and He stood righteous and never ate of that poisonous fruit called sin. He saw things and his flesh never sought, he saw things and his eyes never pursued, he had opportunities and no pride was ever in him!

See in God’s Sovereignty he Father gave His Son, Jesus lead His life to the Cross, and the Spirit Assured it all Happened. It was God’s Sovereignty that paved the way of escape. As planned. We can have security that He is a Savior because He accomplished what He said He would from the very beginning! We rejoice with assurance because God is a God of His word and not only His Word but who is Sovereign. He promised a savior, who would be bruised, who would bear our iniquities, and He DID just that! He said that HE would raise Jesus Christ from the dead and HE did! We have a God Who says what He says and ALWAYS MAKES it happen! And now that same God who paved the way to saves sinners, turns His attention to you.

Would you trust in the Son that God has sovereignly provided for the payment of your sins?

Gospel Call to Sinners

As Ronald shared in his sermon, thank God He is driving the car and not us.

Happy Endings do exist. The bible promises the happiest ending from the very beginning, and we can hope and trust that it will come to pass because God is sovereign.

Now I would like to speak to the Christian: Because of God’s Sovereignty you have been clothed with righteousness because he accomplished it. However, God did not just give us entry to live for eternity with Him He has given you His Spirit who is your guarantee to make it there. However, i am also aware that you are still in THIS world. That sin is still present in your heart and in your life. So i want speak into that for the next couple of minutes by giving you X amount of truths that are true for you:

1. He takes off the figs that cover you- no more shame or guilt. You are FORGIVEN. What Christ says to you as you fall short, is forgiven. The forgiven person doesn’t indulge in sin, but runs all the more to Christ

2. You now have Freedom from Sin’s Dominion - Romans 6:14 “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

2. You have the Holy Spirit has given you new heart that causes you to walk in the ways of the Lord (Ezekiel 36:26–27 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” )

3. You have Responsibility to Mortify Sin (to kill sin and put it to death)

God gave you the freedom to say no to sin. God gave you the Spirit to longer be seek sin but now seek Jesus Christ. God’s Spirit abides in you.

Why do we kill sin?

If we are guaranteed glory and heaven, why fight these ever going battles to be holy? The pursuit of Holiness is in fact the most difficult pursuit. If we rid this pursuit, life becomes a lot more easy. So why pursue holiness? Why make the efforts to put sin to death?

Here are 4 Quick Reasons Why We Christians Put Sin to Death:

Because He died for you

Because you love Him (your lack of love for him is a problem/if i gave you a million dollars for going porn free for one year, I guarantee that you would make it the year)

Because this brings Him glory

Because God has so designed it that by doing so you will be more joyful, happy, peaceful, etc.

So how do we fight temptation?

We seek to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with our your soul, and with all your “might”.

How doe we do this you ask?

1. We go to His Word. His Word is our shield, it’s living, it’s alive, and we hold on to it and believe it and we plead to believe it.

2. We pray. We have a God who is in control. We pray in step with the Lord’s Prayer, “Jesus said lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”. This is referring that the Lord would save us from the ways that lead us to death. We pray that the Lord guard us from rebelling against Him. And you know what’s beautiful, He answers this! Believe it! He does!

3. We Flee from Sin and Cut Off What We Must- Sometimes to put sit to death will require you to love God with all your might by staying far away from what sometimes is enjoyable yet often sinful. And you pick up your cross sacrificing the enjoyable because you know how often it’s sinful! So you Flee and choose to love God with all your might.

Transition: You may feel like you are loosing the battles, daily, weekly, monthly, you continue to fall short. I want to remind you of something:

4. You have God’s Sovereignty on your side

Remember God is Leading you into trials. Trials is when God leads you to face a test where you may very well experience temptation by your own desires or because Satan is tempting you, however, He has promised to use it for your good and His glory. What these trials will result in are:

To reveal our hearts.

To cultivate reverence for God.

To strengthen faith through struggle.

To demonstrate genuine character. Tests of integrity, particularly in our “not what I signed up for” seasons, are opportunities to learn—and clarify—who we really are.[2]

To produce endurance.

Miscarriage Story of Idols Dying, Fear Him, Trust Him, Strengthened in Him, Godliness.

Here’s what I am saying in case your not hearing me, “God has made it, if you are in Christ, that your entire life, through the valleys and shadows, the falling into temptations, through the endurance in trials, he is using it to kill all that holds you back from being entirely satisfied and immersed in His Son. God wants you to cling to Jesus Christ, sing to Jesus Christ, live your life devoted to Him. He promises you JOY, PEACE, COMFORT, HOPE ALWAYS! So don’t fight the battles in shame and guilt, lift that chin up. Look up. He’s died. Hear the echoes of forgiveness! Let that ring in your heart! And fight that battles with that Spirit! .

God has the ability to interject in your life and give you the grace you need to overcome your sins. He has made it that if you run to Him who is sovereign and able, you will experience victories over sin.

The Reality of His Return gives us strength to endure as we face temptations

Knowing that Christ is returning, gives us endurance, knowing there is a finish line. This won’t be like this forever. Life is painful isn’t it. Temptations are always coming. Endlessly, wave after after wave and it doesn’t end. And often it causes pain, grief, hurt, and forgiveness becomes seemingly impossible.

Know that God will save His people from the presence of sin, Satan, and His puppets, and those who are still clothed as sinners and not in Christ.

To us this is comfort, hope, and gives us the love and strength to forgive.

Grace Church, run the race. Fight the battles. God wants you ever nearer to Him. God wants you filled with His Spirit. With joy, peace, hope, etc. Fighting the battles are worth it. And God will bring you to the end. Don’t lose heart. He is Sovereign.