I. WATCH FOR THE APPROCH OF TEMPTATION

Like a army sentry looks for an approaching enemy so they can respond and not be caught off guard.

Remember, Jesus tells us to watch for temptation because it is then we can do something about it.

"Watch your life and doctrine closely." 1 Ti 4:16

Watch for the Temptations from Within

"Do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Rom 13:14

A survey of the temptations Christians face most: 1. Materialism 2. Pride 3. Self-centeredness 4. Laziness 5. Anger/bitterness, Sexual lust (Tie) 6. Envy 7. Gluttony 8. Lying.

Know your "besetting sin." The one you most easily fall into.

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." Heb 12:1

Watch for the Enticements of the world 1 Jn 2:15-16

"Do not love the world or anything in the world"

Worldliness is the sin of allowing one’s appetites, ambitions, or conduct to be fashioned according to earthly values.

"the cravings of sinful man" Men of the world are motivated in their actions by cravings of their sinful nature. Don't follow what they do.

The "lust of his eyes" points to man’s covetous nature.

The "eye gate" through which the outward things of the world, inflame us.

"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." Mk 9:47

J We can see things one TV that Christians 100 years ago couldn't even imagine.

"With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed-an accursed brood!" 2 Pe 2:14

The "boasting of what he has and does" which signifies a proud and extravagant way of life.

The desire to impress other people to make themselves feel important and accomplished.

Stirs many to what the Bible calls "sinful ambition."

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom 12:2

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Pe 2:11

Watch for Satan's Attack

"and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan." Mk 1:13

Peter learned this lesson in the garden of Gethsemane,

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Pe 5:8

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." Jn 17:15

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." Eph 6:11

Watch for Coldness of Heart

Jesus warns the church of Ephesus about having "lost their first love"

Rev 2:4,

and the church of Laodicea for having become "luke warm" in heart.

Rev 3:15

Speaking of the tribe of, "Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretence.” Jer 3:10

Watch for the Sins of Attitude

Sour, critical, angry, pessimistic, cynical, gloomy.

These negative attitudes discredit the gospel. . .

A person caught in a "sin of attitude," can find a thousand reasons to justify their gloomy outlook. But that gloom is like a depression, it affects every other outlook in life.

When a person has a significant failure in life and becomes discouraged about it, that's is normal. By God's help, they work through the discouragement, adapt to it, pick up the pieces and move on, they are able to maintain a healthy attitude.

But when the discouragement, hurt, or failure is not resolved, it begins to color the whole life. When that incident is allowed to make a person discourage about all of life, it has become a trap, and soon becomes a "sinful attitude."

J As it is pictured in the classic, "Pilgrims Progress" this person has fallen into the "Slough of Dispond."

A dominating sinful attitude will not allow us to experience the positive emotions of life; principally: love and joy

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds" Eph 4:22-23

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:12

Jesus went through a thousand discouragements and setbacks, yet he remained in a healthy attitude towards all of life.

His attitude is to be our goal, and the measure of how we are doing?

Watch for Sinful Motives

"The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Co 4:5

J You can have an absolutely pure desire to do something for someone, then that desire can shift or another desire to rise up; a desire that other people know what you have done. Motives are very subtle and sometimes difficult to detect.

That's why I think David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Ps 139:23-24

II. PRAY FOR GOD'S ASSISTENCE IN OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

Here we come to the key to overcoming temptation

Through prayer we connect with God who delights to help us with all our problems

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4:15-16

We are not strong enough within ourselves, but he is!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Ps 121:1-2

When a military observer spots the enemy, he does not single-handedly engage him in battle. He reports what he saw and the commanding officer's brings the necessary power for victory.

God's help is promised

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Heb 2:18

"then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation." 2 Pet 2:9 NASB

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Co 10:13

Prayer always appropreate

When special temptation assault us

"And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly" Lk 22:44

Daily protection

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Matt 6:13

Over a hundred years ago Charlotte Elliot wrote the words of a hymn:

Christian, seek not yet repose

Cast thy dreams of ease away

Thou art in the midst of foes; Watch and pray.

Principalities and power,

Mustering their unseen array,

Wait for thy unguarded hours; Watch and pray.

Watch as if on that alone

Hung the issue of the day,

Pray that help may be sent down; Watch and pray."