Sermon Illustrations

How a Paralytic Faces Temptation

We are often moved by people who have great stories of courage in difficult circumstances. It takes a certain resolve to be able to stand in the face of suffering or danger and not give an inch. “A man in Dundee, Scotland, was confined to bed for forty years, having broken his neck in a fall at age fifteen. But his spirit remained unbroken, and his cheer and courage so inspired people that he enjoyed a constant stream of guests. One day a visitor asked him, “Doesn’t Satan ever tempt you to doubt God?” “Oh, yes,” replied the man. “He does try to tempt me. I lie here and see my old schoolmates driving along in their carriages and Satan whispers, ‘If God is so good, why does He keep you here all these years? Why did he permit your neck to be broken?’” “What do you do when Satan whispers those things?” asked the guest. “Ah,” replied the invalid, “I take him to Calvary, show him Christ, and point to those deep wounds, and say, ‘You see, he does love me’. And Satan has no answer to that. He flees every time.” Stories like this are inspiring because the choice is based on principle, not emotion or circumstance.

From a sermon by Andrew Drummond, Even if He Doesn’t, 12/7/2009

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

  • Spiritual Warfare

    Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 19, 2009
    based on 5 ratings
     | 12,896 views

    Peter’s view of handling Spiritual Warfare

  • Breaking The Chain, Part Iii Series

    Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Mar 13, 2009
    based on 6 ratings
     | 10,913 views

    Lent 3: Part three of a three part sermon series dealing with temptation. In this sermon, we consider Scriptural approaches to overcoming temptation by looking at how to break the chain of events that takes one from temptation to committing sin.

  • Breaking The Chain - Part Ii Series

    Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Mar 7, 2009
    based on 5 ratings
     | 10,823 views

    Lent 2: A continuing sermon series this part focusing on temptation. This sermon is focused on the sources of temptation: the devil; the world and our own sinful nature. Our help comes from only one place - Jesus - our Lord who has already conquered sin

  • Recipe For Success Series

    Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 5, 2012
    based on 1 rating
     | 6,556 views

    This is part 2... Joseph is our example of how to be successful under trials and temptations

  • Strategy For War

    Contributed by Ben Peak on Jan 3, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 6,514 views

    For us to enter into battle against Satan without having a strategy for victory would be suicide. Fortunately, the Word of God has given us a map, has given us a strategy for defeating the Devil.