How to Overcome Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Introduction:

A. Temptation has two meanings:

1. An inducement to evil.

a. The devil tempting Eve.

b. Potiphar’s wife seducing Joseph.

2. A test or trial.

a. One sick is tempted to self pity.

b. One treated unfairly is tempted to hate, spite, resentment.

B. A warning.

1. God’s people can sin. 1 Corinthians 10:1-10

2. We should learn from their mistakes. I Corinthians 10:11

3. A warning. 1 Corinthians 10:12 4

4. An encouragement, 1 Corinthians 10:13

I. NO TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN YOU EXCEPT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN.

A. Somebody has had it this bad before.

B. There are three avenues of temptation. 1 John 2:15-17

C. Examples.

1. Adam and Eve. Genesis 3

2. Christ. Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15

II. GOD WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE.

A. God has the power to restrict and restrain the Devil. Job 1:1-12; Job 2:1-6

B. He has promised to do it. 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:1-9

C. If we sin, we can blame only ourselves; it isn’t God’s fault. James 1:13-15

III. HE WILL WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT.

A. The idea here is that as the temptation makes an entrance, God opens up an exit.

B. We must be willing to seek the way.

1. We must know God’s will before we can do it. Matthew 4:1-10

2. We should pray for guidance. Matthew 26:41; Matthew 6:13

C. We must be willing to use the way that God provides. James 4:7,8

1. Draw nigh to God, Jude 24,25

a. A person who maintains a healthy body is less susceptible to disease.

b. A person who keeps healthy spiritually has a greater resistance to temptation. 3 Jn. 2

2. Resist the devil.

a. He is deceitful. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

(1) Realize his power.

(2) Do not become overconfident. 1 Corinthians 10:12

b. His temptations are progressive. Psalm 1:1

(1) A young man convicted for grand larceny said he started by stealing candy as a boy.

(2) Temptations many times start as thoughts.

(a) Listening to dirty stories.

(b) Watching lewd shows and TV programs.

(c) Associating with evil people.

(d) Reading books that describe wickedness.

(e) Internet pornography.

D. We must be willing to make sacrifices to overcome temptation. Matthew 5:29,30

1. Examples.

a. Rich young ruler. Matthew 19:21,22

b. Joseph. Genesis 39:7-20

2. Some sacrifices that might have to be made.

a. Group approval. Matthew 10:37

b. Present ambitions and goals.

c. Job.

3. We might have to change our hitching post. There is an old story of a man who had been the victim of strong drink but had reformed and apparently was the conqueror of his evil habit. However, when he rode into town, he continued to hitch his horse at the post in front of the town saloon. Eventually he fell into his old ways again. Had he had a healthy fear of temptation he would have changed his hitching post.

Conclusion:

A. Overcoming temptation is not easy.

B. But the rewards are worth it. James 1:12