After Overcoming Temptation - Victorious Living Lesson 4 Series

“But thank God! He … continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.” 2 Corinthians 2:14, NLT

“ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Overcoming temptation is praiseworthy.

2. Victory-living is better.

3. Victory-living takes two-steps. First, overcoming sin; second positive Christian living.

B. LEARNING WHAT NOT TO DO

1. You must not disobey God’s commands.

a. First definition of sin. Sin is my want of conformity – into God’s law.

b. Second definition of sin. Sin is intentionally breaking God’s law.

c. Types of disobedience:

(1) Didn’t wash car

(2) Threw mud on the car

d. A wise God gives commands for two reasons:

(1) For our growth

(2) For our protection

2. You must not violate your conscience.

a. Why not let your conscience be your guide? “Having their conscience seared (scared) with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).

(1) Your conscience may not tell you what is right.

(2) Won’t tell you everything that is wrong.

(3) Conscience depends on training.

b. Therefore, to him that knows to do good and does not, it is sin” (James 4:17).

3. You must not harbor impure thoughts.

a. The act of sin usually begins in the thoughts (mind). “Whosoever, looketh on a woman to lust … hath committed adultery in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

b. Your mind should be clean. “Your pure ... devotion to Christ … corrupted” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

4. You must not defile your body.

a. “Give your bodies to God … a holy living sacrifice … the kind He will find acceptable” (Romans 12:1, NLT).

b. Don’t be childish, “I can do what I want.” Don’t play in dangerous traffic or in a field with snakes.

5. You must not link with those who will make you stumble.

a. “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers … how can light live with darkness? … How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, NLT).

b. Be friends with the unsaved, work with them but don’t “link” so their decisions make you sin or disobey God.

6. You must not negatively influence others.

a. Stumbling block, to cause another to fall. “Take heed ... this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to them that are weak” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

b. Early church issue of eating meat offered to idols. “If meat makes my brother offend, I will eat no flesh” (1 Corinthians 8:13).

7. You must be careful to little things. Illustration: trash in fuel line.

C. LEARNING VICTORY-LIVING

1. Let the indwelling Christ give you victory.

a. “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). His power gives me, (1) life, (2) resistance.

b. “I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NLT).

c. Illustration: child in flaming building. Fireman, “Jump ... I will catch you.”

2. Let your new position in Christ give you strength.

a. “In Christ” 216 times in Paul’s letters, and 26 times in John. Means: (1) non-experiential position in Christ’s body, (2) in His forgiveness, (3) in His justification.

b. Baptized unto His death, burial, resurrection (Romans 6:3-11, NLT).

3. Let your new nature control your life.

a. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

b. You have a new ability to live for Jesus.

c. Illustration: No cursing … speaking for Jesus.

4. Show gratitude for what God has done for you. “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17, NLT).

5. Right living maintains a strong Christian testimony. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

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.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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