1 John 2 James 1 1 Corinthians 10 Whats Eating You Fireproof Your Marriage
Fireproof your Marriage: Fresh Vision for our relationships
What’s eating you? Are parasites destroying your marriage
Parasites – something that draws its life from its host
External parasites – ticks, fleas, hair lice
Internal parasites – flukes // Round worm Tape worm (up to 20 feet) //
Hook worm
-- all make you gag or itch just looking at them – disgusting – would not want to even touch one
Yet there are even more hideous parasites in the world today. They don’t appear as threatening – they even seem appealing. – An attractive woman – an attentive man – a stimulating beverage – an enjoyable vocation
However, each of these can be parasites that such the very life out of our marriages.
I. Temptation: Attacked via natural desires
(NKJV) 1 John 2 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
A. Natural desires twisted by sin
1. Created with these desires – even before fall
2. Desires have run amok – desire to control / be center of life
3. Lie: I can be satisfied with something other than God
4. Strategy: Intentionally replace the desire with that which really satisfies
B. Inner bodily cravings
(NKJV) 1 John 2 16 …the lust of the flesh, …
1. Normal desires seeking control – God given bodily desires to provide pleasure
2. Fulfilling natural desires in an inappropriate manner
3. Stimulating our senses in an excessive way
4. Lie: If I feed my desires I can be satisfied
C. A desire to have
(NKJV) 1 John 2 16 … the lust of the eyes,
1. Normal desires seeking control – God intended to have needs and beyond met
2. Controlled by our wants
3. Greed Covetousness
4. Lie: If I get what I want I can be satisfied
D. An aspiration to be exalted
(NKJV) 1 John 2 16 … and the pride of life.
1. Normal desires seeking control – God intended people to be significant
2. All about me
3. Self exaltation
4. Place self above God and others
5. Lie: If I achieve and am recognized I can be satisfied
II. Temptation: A devastating pathway
A. God is not the source of temptation
(NKJV) James 1 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
B. Drawn when lured by desires
(NKJV) James 1 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
1. Inner desires are not yet sin
2. Tendency to be drawn to fulfill desire is not yet sin
3. Event strikes cord of desire
4. Like fishing bait – lured out
C. Desires unchecked produces sin
(NKJV) James 1 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
1. Yielding to entertain that desire is sin – that moment sin conceived like birth – before the action itself
D. Sin grows
(NKJV) James 1 15 … sin, when it is full-grown,
1. Undealt with sin grows – never enough – desensitized to conviction – never achieve the desired satisfaction
E. Sin results in death
(NKJV) James 1 15 …and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
1. Spiritual Physical Emotional (marriage)
III. Temptation: Victory is possible
A. Beware of pride
(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
B. Others have faced this temptation
(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
1. Not a unique and impossible problem
2. Some overcome and some don’t
C. The faithful God is there
(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10 13 … but God is faithful,
1. God is there God is faithful
D. God limits the scope of temptation
(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10 13 … who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
1. God is in control
2. He sets a hedge to prevent an overwhelming temptation
E. God provides a way out
(NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1. God guarantees a way out
2. May be only one (singular)
3. Our choice to take it
IV. Temptation: An Overcoming Strategy
A. Pray to avoid temptation
(NKJV) Matthew 6 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
1. A spiritual battle
B. Choose beforehand
(NKJV) Job 31 1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?
1. Address the problem beforehand
2. Be aware when it comes Take the necessary steps
C. Replace your thoughts
(NKJV) 2 Corinthians 10 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
(NKJV) Philippians 4 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
D. Run from opportunities to sin
(NKJV) 2 Timothy 2 22 Flee also youthful lusts;
1. Leave the place of temptation (avoid in the first place)
2. Replace it with proper things
E. Attack the root problem
1. Lust of the flesh
a) Lie: If I feed my desires I can be satisfied
b) Strategy: Foster spiritual disciplines
(NKJV) Ephesians 4 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, …
2. Lust of the eye
a) Lie: If I get what I want I can be satisfied
b) Strategy: Foster Godly contentment
(NKJV) 1 Timothy 6 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
3. Pride of life
a) Lie: If I achieve and am recognized I can be satisfied
b) Strategy: Foster humility and submission
(NKJV) Philippians 2 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
F. Get back up when you fall
(NKJV) 1 John 1 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.