Escaping Temptation

PP2010-30 DATE

ESCAPING TEMPTATION!

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; . (KJV)

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (KJV)

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (KJV)

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

INTRODUCTION: Everyone will face temptation of some kind. The answer to your temptation will be tucked away somewhere within the temptation itself. 1 Cor. 10:13 promises that. “…but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Jesus escaped temptation – How? By using the Scripture. Mt 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV)

Joseph escaped temptation – How? Ge 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. (KJV)

David escaped temptation – How? Many occasions of his intimacy with the Lord. The book of Psalms is filled with David’s experiences with temptation.

Paul escaped temptation – How? Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (KJV)

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;

Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;

Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;

Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,

God’s name hold in rev’rence, nor take it in vain;

Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;

Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

I. WHY TEMPTATION COMES

Temptation comes because of several different causes:

A. It Is Normal To Be Tempted. 1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)

1. It is common to man. Every person experiences temptation. Don’t think you are the only one that has to contend with being tempted of the devil.

2. God is faithful to deliver.

God will always provide a way of escape. The problem with most is that they do not want an escape. They enjoy the sin they are committing.

B. To Try Our Faith.

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (KJV)

1. It brings joy.

2. It brings patience.

The trying of our faith will bring strength. The more we overcome temptation the stronger we become against temptation. When I stopped smoking, over 40 years ago, I was tempted to take the habit up again and again, but after several weeks that temptation left. Now when I see someone smoking I never have the desire to smoke. I gained strength over the temptation.

C. To Bring A Crown Of Life

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (KJV)

God’s expectation of each of us enduring temptation is part of the everyday Christian walk. We are to gain strength daily for the trials and temptations of the next day. If we fail today we will not gain what tomorrow brings by our victory over the present temptation. Paul said: 2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (KJV) This begins and ends with how we handle daily temptation. Don’t expect a crown if you haven’t been strong in overcoming temptation.