VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION
“Blessed, or happy is the man who does not give in and do wrong when he is tempted. Because when he has stood the test he will receive as his reward, the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
Is there anyone here today who can honestly say that they have never been tempted
to do anything wrong or questionable? If so, I would like to meet them, because they
must have been created like a robot or a puppet on strings,with no freedom of choice.
This freedom God gave us is a very precious gift. Because free will, although it makes
sin possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any true love, goodness or
freedom.
But before going further perhaps we should try to clarify the meaning of temptation. My Bible dictionary defines it as “a seducement to participate in some wrong doing or sinful behavior which is contrary to Gods will for our lives.” It always starts out looking very innocent. Temptation always minimizes the real danger and maximizes the imagined benefits. Temptations however can be resisted and the Bible has a lot to say about how we can win a victory over this threat to our physical and spiritual health.
I want you to know that I applied this message to myself before bringing it to you. And the only basis on which I stand before you this morning is that I am a sinner saved by grace and Christ died for me. And God is still working on me, to make me the man I ought to be..
The question is often asked, is it a sin to be tempted? And I believe the answer is NO! The sin comes from yielding, giving in to the temptation and not the temptation itself. Temptation is like the devil looking in through the key-hole, even knocking gently on your door. Sin is opening the door and inviting him to come in.
One reason we know that temptation in itself is not sin is because the Bible tells us in Heb.4:15,16 that Christ was tempted in all points such as we are, yet without sin. As the God-man, Christ became the chief target of Satan’s hatred and wrath. If He had compromised with the devil and taken an easier path even once, He would not have qualified to be our Saviour. As Ian Thomas put it, “For the first time since Adam fell into sin, there was on earth a man as God intended man to be.” Then, as we seek to become more like Christ we discover our true selves, the persons we were meant to be. And I believe that Christ understands the struggles you and I are facing, because during his earthly life He faced a full range of temptations and He immersed victorious every time.
The next question we face is, where do temptations come from? James 1;13 tells us not to blame God. He is too holy to be tempted and too loving to tempt us. Perhaps the clearest teaching on this subject is found in Eph. 2:1-3 Here we see temptations coming from 3 sources: v.2-the external world around us, including the lust of the eyes.
v.3-the flesh or the sinful,self-centered nature within us.
v.2-the prince of the power of the air, which is another name for Satan, who is behind it all.
Here we have these 3 arch-enemies of the soul: A cursed world, a corrupt heart and a cunning devil. But remember this, God has given us the Holy Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit to overcome and defeat the unholy trinity of the world, the flesh and the devil. And every christian faces a life-long battle with these 3 enemies.
Throughout this message I will be making a number of references to Satan, commonly called the devil. So before going further I want to interject a word of caution based on some very good advice from that great Christian writer, C.S. Lewis. He points out that there are two equal and opposite errors we can take toward the devil, both of which should be avoided. First, some people, even a few Christians, have an excessive and unhealthy interest in Satan, making him almost equal with God.
But then there is another extreme, not taking Satan serious enough, or even denying his existence altogether. As two young boys were coming home from Sunday School, one was asked if he believed in the devil. The other replied, “No, I think its like Santa Claus, he’s your father.” Professor Lewis adds, the devil is equally delighted with both of these extremes. So, lets keep our eyes on Christ and give no ground to the devil
And, remember this, Satan may be powerful and in ourselves we are no match for his devilish schemes. But, he is not all powerful and he is no match for Christ. There on the cross and at the empty tomb, Christ delivered Satan a death blow from which he will never recover. The devil is like a toothless bull-dog. He can growl, he can threaten but he has no authority to carry out his threats on those who are trusting Christ. And he is terrified by the Spirit of God dwelling in a believers heart.
One of the most common excuses people use for giving in to temptation is – the devil made me do it! Did you ever say that? But lets be honest, we sin because we want to and not because we have to. Right!? Furthermore, Satan cannot make you do anything against your will. And if you don’t want to yield to temptation the Lord can give you the power to overcome and claim victory. Amen!
Yes, I strongly believe that the devil cannot make any headway in our lives without our permission. We have to give him a beachhead or at least a toe-hold. How do we give temptation a landing place? Any act of willful disobedience, any unconfessed sin will do so. As Charles Stanley expressed it, “When tempting thoughts come our way we have what he calls a C M D, a critical moment of decision. In that moment we have the power to either reject the temptation immediately,or else treat it as a welcome friend. Temptations are like tramps, treat them kindly and they will return and bring others with them.
Here is the usual sequence: First a simple thought or suggestion. Then a strong imagination. Then delight at the thought of sin.. Finally, consent to it. I want to illustrate this truth by turning to 2 stories from the Bible. One story is very sad and disappointing but the other ends in glorious victory.
Our first story is from 2 Sam.11:1-5,14,15, 26,27.
We are told it was springtime, when kings and their armies went out to fortify and protect their borders. But David decided to take life easy and stay home. And that was the beginning of his trouble. The devil finds mischief for idle hands to do. David’s faith had been so strong during times of hardship and danger but now in prosperity he took his eyes off of the Lord and focused on his own selfish desires. It started out small, with a stroll on the palace roof, a wandering eye and a desire to learn more about this beautiful neighbor, Bathsheba. Then David used the power of his office to exploit another mans wife, and then tried to cover his tracks by murdering her husband. “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord” (v.27b).
In an unguarded moment David discovered the meaning of 1st Cor.10:12. NIV “So , if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall.” And so with us today, in the moment of temptation, in the heat of desire our minds come up with all kinds of ways to make wrong look right. David the great King became David, the even greater sinner.
And David was a married man. He should have been using Gods gift of sexuality according to the makers instructions, “Purity before marriage and Faithfulness within marriage.” And Gods instructions offer a glorious plus, not a gloomy minus. And I strongly believe that my best defense and your best defense against subtle sexual temptations can be overcome through a close, intimate relationship between husband and wife, with a strong emphasis on healthy sex. Studies have shown that couples who have a strong spiritual dimension in their marriage enjoy more sexual satisfaction and fulfillment than those without the spiritual dimension. 1Cor. 7:2-5). Why go out for hamburgers when you can have steak at home? As Richard Wilke expressed it- “The more sex is related to the love of God, the more meaningful and exciting it becomes.”
Perhaps you are asking, did not David repent? Yes he did and in Ps. 51, I believe we have a genuine expression of heartfelt repentance. And God in his mercy forgave David. But, some of the consequences of his sin remained. The child that was conceived died and several of David’s children went astray, following their fathers bad example. So this story reminds us that the past can’t be changed but the past can be forgiven and the future can be different by the grace of God.
This leads to another truth which is often overlooked. You never know how bad you are until you try to be good. And it was this fact that brought me to my knees before God. When I meant business with God and started to resist temptation, I soon found that I could not do so in my own strength and I cried, “O Lord help me, I can’t do it alone!” I made a connection with my living Saviour who died that I might live. As a very fine older Christian said to me, You can’t be at peace with God without declaring war on the devil.
A more positive example is found in the experience of Joseph, Gen. 39:6-10.
You remember the story, how Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, but his faith remained strong. Note v.6b, “Joseph was well built and handsome and Potiphar’s wife took notice and said, come to bed with me!” Satan no doubt whispered, “she is available, she is willing, you have needs, her husband is away, no one will ever know, seize the moment.”
So here, Joseph faced his C.M D., his critical moment of decision. And his faith won out, and he cried, “How can I do this great evil and sin against God.” v.9b. Note, Joseph met this temptation with a definite act of his will. There was no saying, “just once won’t hurt!” But with no hesitation Joseph expressed his great refusal, a resounding NO!
And here we see a very important requirement in overcoming any temptation. Did you ever keep one eye on the very temptation you pray not to be led into? God will never override your will. He will never force you to do anything against your will. So, unless you are 100% willing to be delivered from a certain addiction or sinful habit, God’s power cannot operate. But you and I cannot deceive the Spirit of God. We must be 100% willing to leave sin behind and march in a new direction, trusting God for the power to do so.
One reason for Joseph’s refusal was his duty to his master Potiphar. But even more so he knew it would be a sin against a holy God. He knew the heart of his heavenly father would be grieved. He would not only break Gods law but Gods heart. So he refused, he turned his back, he ran. It is interesting to note that every time sensual lust is mentioned in the New Testament we are commanded to run, to flee, to get out, change the channel. And that is the only safe way! Because it is impossible to yield to temptation when you are running in the opposite direction.
And deception is one of the most basic facts about temptation. Temptations never come to us as harmful or evil—no way! This fact is brought out clearly in James 1:14. “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is drawn away and enticed.” Here we find two illustrations from the sport of hunting and fishing. The term drawn away carries with it the idea of setting or baiting a trap. The word enticed in the original Greek means to bait a hook.
How many of you men like to fish? I’ve heard it said that nothing in this world grows any faster than a fish, from the time it nibbles on the bait until it gets away. Boy, I wish you could have seen that big trout that got away. Also, a model wife is one who when she spades or digs up the garden in the spring, she saves the worms so that her husband can go fishing. We all know that fishermen have to use bait. No fish is going to bite a bare hook. The whole idea is to hide, to disguise the hook or the trap. Satan does not hand you a full description of the frustration, the failure, the separation from God, the cancer ward, the broken hearts and homes, the drug rehabilitation center, the unwanted pregnancy or whatever the end result may be. He suggests only the pleasure of the moment and he always leaves the impression that this time no one will get hurt. This time you are going to get away with it.
Here in James 1: 14,15, the downward plunge of temptation in 4 progressive steps.
Step #1 The bait is dropped. Just as a fisherman casts his baited hook over the water, so you and I face temptation every day of our lives. But, there is somewhat different bait for different people. Candy for kids, sensuality for young adults, riches for the middle aged, power for the elderly. Now according to this analogy we find in James 1:14,15, you and I are the fish and the devil is trying to catch us. So, try to think of yourself as a fish. The bait is dropped, and it dangles before your eyes.
Step 2 You are attracted to the bait. The bait is so alluring it keeps you from seeing the consequences of your sin. And this brings us to the heart of the problem. Temptation would be helpless if there was nothing within you to which it could appeal. Verse 14 tells us that the evil desires of our old nature are the worms for the devil’s hook when he goes fishing for souls. Jesus said the same, “From within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, uncleanness, hatred, greed, deceit, slander, pride … All of these come from within and defiles the person”(Matt. 15:19).
3rd Step Downward v.15 The metaphor changes from fishing to reproduction. After desire has conceived it gives birth to sin. You nibble away, nibble away, then OH! I’m hooked, I’m hooked! And you flounder around in the devils boat.
Now, lets be honest, we all have areas of weakness or some besetting sin. And today we know that we don’t have to go up on the roof top with King David, to be tempted. There are opportunities to go astray around every corner. And we should know ourselves well enough to stay clear of some tempting situations. As someone said, temptations often come to us through a door that has been deliberately left open. To one person it is overeating, another gossip, another lying or prayerlessness. To another it is craving after pornography, or the VLT machine or the liquor bottle. Satan seems to know where we are vulnerable and he will take advantage of our weakness to intensify the temptation.
Step #4. v.15b Sin when it is full grown gives birth to death. Tragic consequences are set in motion and like the hooked fish we end up in the frying pan.
My last pastorate was in Kingston, N S, next door to the Greenwood Air Base. Many military families came to our church and I loved meeting and working with them. The Church office was in line with one of the runways and off in the distance I could see planes taking off. I was told that there were two laws at work upon that plane. The law of gravity, pulling it downward and also the higher law of Aerodynamics giving lift to the wings as they moved through the air. This law of Aerodynamics is always in effect if the conditions are met that cause it to work. But if not, the law of gravity takes over and the plane crashes.
To me this is an accurate picture of the Christian life. Romans 8:2 makes reference to our old nature. The law of sin and death, like the law of gravity, is pulling us downward but the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets us free to live above the clouds of sin and death.
As Christian men here this morning, every day we need to understand two spiritual principles.
# 1st -We need to acknowledge the awesome power of indwelling sin. As Paul cried in Rom.7:18ff. “When I would do good evil is right there with me.” #2nd- We need to discover that we can rely on the much greater power of the Holy Spirit. So, every day we need to decide who is in control of our lives—Christ or self, flesh or spirit, the old nature I was born with or my new nature I am born again with. And Praise God, “Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world”(1st John 5: 4).
Thank you and God bless you everyone! John Bartol
