The Temptation Scheme Series

Satan is looking to pound on our weakest areas . . . When we leave an opening by yielding to temptation, he’ll take advantage. - Kent Crockett(1)

In Ephesians 4:27, the Apostle Paul warned, “Do not give the devil a foothold” (NIV). The devil is always trying to gain a foothold in our life, and he begins his initial onslaught of attacks with the temptation to sin. “Temptation” is defined as, “enticement or allurement,”(2) and “being put to the test.”(3)

It’s important for us to understand the issue of temptation so we can more readily identify it when it starts creeping into our life, and so we can overcome it – and yes, we can overcome temptation! The reason why we must overcome temptation is so we can refrain from committing sin.

In 1 John 2:1, the Apostle John said, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin,” and that’s the reason why I’m sharing this message tonight. I have written this sermon with the same intention as John; that we learn how to avoid temptation and refrain from sinning.

God Keeps Track of Temptation (James 1:12)

Proverbs says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (15:3; cf. 5:21). Whether we are experiencing some initial temptation or committing full-fledged sin, the Lord sees our every move; and James alluded to how He keeps track of our responses to temptation. We read in James 1:12:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

The Lord actually keeps track of our temptation. We read that the one who endures temptation will be “approved,” and that this approval will lead to a reward, which is the crown of life. Approval and recognition can only be received after a person is judged, or evaluated, and receives positive commendation for his or her actions.

A fair assessment is acquired through a review of the facts, and facts are obtained by accurate record keeping. The Bible reveals that God keeps a record of how people act in this life. Malachi said, “So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (3:16b). John declared in Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened . . . and the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

So, God records our every response to temptation in the books of heaven, whether good or bad. All people will be held responsible and accountable for their actions in this life, and be approved or disapproved for their reward thereby. The way we live our life will be evaluated by the Lord in that final Day; so we had better make sure that we’re covered by the blood of the Lamb. Amen?

Now, I don’t want to mislead anyone into believing that we’re saved by works and deeds. The Lord does review our life choices and decisions; however, the thing that gains us entrance into the kingdom is our faith in Christ alone. The apostle Paul declared, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph 2:8-9).

The things we do are definitely recorded in the books of heaven; and we might have a thousand good deeds written down in those books, but it will do us no good if our name is found missing from one book in particular. The Bible shares the name of this book. Listen closely, as I read from Revelation:

Revelation 3:5 says, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels,” and Revelation 21:27 states, “There shall by no means enter [into heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

We’re also informed in Revelation 20:15 that “anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” So, the Lord keeps a record of our sins and our temptations; therefore, it’s very important to make sure that our name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

You’re To Blame for Temptation (James 1:13-14)

Modern psychology says that if we’re experiencing a problem in our life, that we should search our past and try to identify any negative influences we might have encountered along the way. It is believed that understanding where we came from and realizing that our problem isn’t our own fault will provide a sense of closure and release, and help us move on and begin to see healing. In observing this premise in action, we will often see people blaming others for their problems.