Protection Against Temptation Lesson 3 Series

“You will not be tempted to sin with any greater enticement than any other believers have faced, but you can be victorious over your temptation. Remember God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability to resist it. He will always make a way to endure it without yielding to it” 1 Corinthians 10:13, ELT

A. THINGS KNOWN ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. Not from God. “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” (James 1:13, NKJV).

2. From satan. “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

3. Through your sinful nature. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).

4. Designed to destroy you. “Temptation … when desires have conceived it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full-grown, brings death” (James 1:14-15).

5. Temptation can successfully get to someone close to Jesus. “The devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot … to betray Him” (John 13:2).

B. WHERE WILL SATAN ATTACK

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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.” 1 John 2:15-16, NKJV

1. Lust of the flesh – physical:

a. Lust involving things that will please the physical body.

b. This does not include necessities, i.e., food, drink, etc.

2. Lust of the eyes, things, attractions, money, possessions, clothes, luxuries, hobbies, etc.

3. Pride of life:

a. Ego enhancement, fame, position, etc.

b. This does not mean ego strength confidence, i.e., to know yourself, your strength, your purpose in life or your positive contribution.

C. WHAT TO DO IF YOU GIVE INTO TEMPTATION

1. Your goal is to not sin but be as perfect as possible. “These things I write to you, so that you may not sin” (1 John 2:1).

2. Jesus was perfect, you are not. Jesus did not give in, you might.

a. No one has a perfect “track record.” “If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 2:8).

b. Everyone has been tempted. “Each one is tempted” (James 1:14).

3. Whenever you sin, remember you have a Savior who understands. “You have a High Priest who can sympathize with your weakness, He was tempted in all points, but did not sin … come boldly to His throne to obtain mercy and find grace” (Hebrews 4:15-16, ELT).

4. Confess your sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive ... and cleanse” (1 John 1:9).

5. Repent and determine not to do it again. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NKJV).

6. God remembers them no more. (Isaiah 43:35; Jeremiah 31:36; Hebrews 9:12, 10:16-17).

D. TEN THINGS GOD PROVIDES TO RESIST TEMPTATIONS

1. Prepare with prayer. “Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one” (Matthew 6:11, ELT).

2. Begin by yielding to God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

3. Determine to resist and be firm. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV).

4. Trust God for victory. “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly” (2 Peter 2:9).

5. Claim Jesus intercession for you. “For we … have a High Priest… let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).

6. Follow Jesus’ example of victory over satan. “For in that He Himself … being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

7. Yield the control of all your money to God. Give God 10% and use the rest with prayer and wisdom. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9).

8. Put on the whole armor of God. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

9. Memorize and mediate on Scripture. “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11, NLT).

10. Always plan to do right. “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).