The Consequences Of Giving Into Temptation Lesson 1 Series

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree, which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’” Genesis 3:1-5, NKJV

A. WHAT IS TEMPTATION?

1. Webster’s definition: “To seduce, entice, or persuade.”

a. The source will hide its intent.

b. The object of temptation – the naïve.

c. Original meaning – to attract with gratification (i.e., what you are). To do that which is not intended or not natural.

2. The serpent/satan wanted Eve to do what he originally did deny/disobey God.

3. Why target the woman? “Said to the woman” (v. 1). Stronger emotions/feelings/sensitivity.

4. Original approach – “Has God said?” (v. 1.). Created doubt.

5. Webster’s meaning of doubt. “To be uncertain, hesitant, questionable. Original “to fear or to scare.”

6. Temptation’s threefold strategy:

a. Added to God’s Word. “Touch it” (v. 3).

b. Altered. “You shall surely die” (2:17). “Lest you die” (3:3).

c. Omitted. “In the day” (2:17).

7. God told Adam (Genesis 2:15-17):

a. Did Adam not communicate clearly to Eve?

b. Did Eve not hear and understand?

8. Half-truth: “You will not surely die” (vv. 3-4). Die spiritually not physical.

9. Temptation’s results:

a. New awareness/attractions, “eyes opened” (v. 5).

b. To understand as proven, “knowing good and evil” (v. 5).

B. THREE-FOLD TEMPTATION

1. Lust/desire of flesh, i.e., physical, “good for food.” Needed to continue physical life.

2. Lust/desire of eyes, i.e., emotional, good for happiness, needed internal satisfaction.

3. Lust/desire of pride, good to protect or enhance self-awareness.

C. CONSEQUENCES

“She took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Genesis 3:6 b, NLT

1. Awareness of both – knew their spiritual positive, and physical negative passions.

2. Awareness to “hide” their new physical passion. “They knew they were naked” (3:7). They made clothes.

3. God consciousness. “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking … presence of the LORD God” (3:8).

4. “God called” (3:9). God knew:

a. What they did.

b. Where they were hiding.

c. What He was going to do.

d. And to fix responsibly, “who told you that you were naked?” (v. 7).

5. Pass the buck:

a. Adam, “The woman You gave me … I ate” (v. 12).

b. Eve, “the serpent deceived me” (v. 13).

6. The serpent:

a. “On your belly” (v. 19)

b. Conflict. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (3:15).

c. Her seed, proto evangelium (Latin), first giving of the gospel.

7. Eve:

a. Pain. “Sorrows …bring forth children” (v. 16).

b. Submissive. “You desire ... husband” (3:16).

8. Adam, hard work, “thorns … sweat …” (vv. 18-19).

D. TEN LESSONS TO LEARN ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. Satan is the source of your temptation. He wants you to do what he did and be punished as he was.

2. Temptation is not good or positive but intends to harm you.

3. Temptation and its source will appeal to your weakness.

4. No one is above/beyond temptation in sex, age, spiritual strength, etc.

5. Temptation comes from without and offers you various enticements you may want.

6. When attractions are offered, the person is usually not aware of the consequences of temptations.

7. Temptations appear in the form of physical enticements, emotional gratifications, or egotistical enhancements.

8. The consequences of giving into temptations are absolute.

9. God knows you are human and has a solution of forgiveness.

10. It is your responsibility to confess your sin, accept forgiveness, and live in a new relationship to God, and serve Him.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.