Surviving the Hour of Temptation

Luke 22:32–42 (KJV)

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Propensity to Temptation

Temptation as testing vs enticement

The idea of temptation as seduction is relatively recent, only being limited to that sense since about the 17th century (NBD, Temptation).

Your Faith is the Subject of all Temptation

Temptation in biblical terms carries the idea of putting someone to the test, whether with benevolent motivation to improve his quality, or malicious motivation to reveal his weakness. (NBD, Temptation).

1 Peter 5:8–10 (KJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Satan wants to rob you of your faith

Satan’s purpose is in v.8 - to devour

God wants to demonstrate your faith

God’s purpose is in v.10 - to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.

Without roots, you will fall away in temptation

Luke 8:13 (KJV)

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Seasons of temptation are inevitable

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness prepared him for his ministry.

Count it joy (and development)

James 1:2–3 KJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

The testing produces a more resilient faith.

Faith tests are survivable!

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Preventing Temptation

Jesus suggests that some temptation is preventable

You may fall into temptation

Jas 1.2 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”

I think the key is to take steps to minimize the possibility that you will abandon faith.

Watch

Falling asleep suggests the disciples had disengaged from Jesus’ purpose and passion.

Be alert

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Be alert to the moments that your faith is being tested. What is it about the experience that calls the cause of discipleship into question?

Take Heed Lest Ye Fall

1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Pray

The flesh is not sufficient support to your spiritual intention

Build up your faith through prayer

Jude 20 KJV

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Promises to those in Temptation

Jesus already knows the battle.

Three times sleepy foreshadowed three denials

Peter was called out specifically when Jesus appealed for their prayer.

But Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail

Jesus was aware that the battle for Peter’s faith was already on.

Luke 22:31–32 KJV

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Blessed is the one who endures

James 1:12 KJV

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

The Lord delivers

He knows how to deliver

2 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Keep the word of patience, and Jesus will keep you in your hour of temptation

Revelation 3:7–13 (KJV)

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.