Sermon Central
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How Can We Resist Temptation?
Contributed by Mark H. Stevens Thd on Jan 4, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Flip Wilson the famous Comedian used to say "The Devil Made me Do it!".....it was funny but not true, The Devil cannot MAKE YOU do anything! (James 4:7)
Our response to Satan's lies (Eph 2:8-9; 1 John 4:1; James 4:7):
• We are to submit to God's will (2 Cor. 11:3, 14-15). Satan's ways look good and appealing, but God's way is the way that is best; Satan's way is death. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest!
• We are to obey God's will (2 Tim. 3:16). This is our sure-fire response to temptation, just as our Lord used!
• We are to focus on the Cross (John 14:6). We are to ignore the human standards, remember that Jesus died for us, and know that no sin is too big for Him to deal with and forgive. No matter what we have gone through, He is there for us, loving us. Satan wants us to diminish the cross by adding to it with penance; Christ wants us to repent!
• We need to commit to God's Purpose (1 Timothy 4:1-3; Luke 8:11-12; John 11:25-26), not our will and dreams and aspirations, but need totally to surrender to Christ all of our plans and desires no matter where it takes us.
• Remember Satan’s pride brought him down (How is your pride doing?) to the lowest of levels, and he is certain of his fate. His current ambition is to deceive as many of humanity as possible, to share with him in his fate.
• God gives all of the armor we need to defend ourselves (2 Cor. 10:4).
So, we are to trust Him and use Him and His gifts and tools! We are to have them on and be holding them, and using them, especially militant prayer! It is our responsibility to have the armor of God on and to be ready to be attacked. If we are watchful and prepared, then we are ready for the attack of the devil, his demons, and those fiery darts. We may not all know how to attack with the Sword of the Spirit, which is why we have the rest of the armor. If we are not ready to properly use the Sword of the Spirit, then we need to do as II Timothy 2:15 calls us to do: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." When we have all of the gear of the armor, then we are to, "With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Eph 6:18)