HoHum:
Todd Hunter in Our Favorite Sins: "I’d just taken a few steps out the front door of church after a Sunday worship service when Bob walked up to me with gusto and, with a joyous smile, said, “Now there’s temptation right there!” He was pointing to a shiny, black, brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle in the parking lot about 20 yards away. A few guys were sauntering around it, admiring the Harley. I have a strong rule of thumb to never be preachy in these kind of conversations. But in this case, because my friend has a great sense of humor and since I had the concept of temptation at the very front of my mind while I writing this book, I blurted out before I could stop myself: “That is not temptation to me at all, Bob.” Bob looked at me with great disappointment. I think we were both a bit sad that I did not share his delight at the sight of the Harley. Even worse, it was like I’d just said the earth was flat or the sky was green. Like most people, I instantly recognize the Harley logo and look. But I have no interest in riding motorcycles. I am not sure why, but I’ve never really desired to have a motorcycle. Whatever the reason for my apathy toward this, all I know is that I told Bob the truth. Even the hippest Harley does not tempt me, not even in the slightest. But, I thought as we stood there looking at the Harley, if that were an amazing looking woman undressing in public, that would definitely get my attention. I’d bet that if Bob had not pointed out the Harley, I would have walked to my car a hundred times and never noticed it. Not so of a woman disrobing in public. Of that sight I would be very aware. I’d feel adrenaline instantly jolt through my body. I’d have to employ my conscious mind to do the right thing, to look away. Why? I have a long, deep, and constant desire to admire the bodies of the female gender. That’s how I’m wired, and that awareness is essential for battling the temptations that beset me" even more than any red velvet cake. Yes, that is the temptation I battle regularly that I mentioned on a recent e-mail. Also, I do not believe that I am the only male that battles this.
WBTU:
1 Corinthians 10:13 is a great promise given by a gracious and merciful God to Christians.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
1. Some are thinking, I can’t believe that the preacher has this temptation. So unholy.
2. Some are thinking, I don’t have any of these temptations, not even the one about the red velvet cake. Might not have those temptations, but there is something out there that is a temptation for you. “I am the only one who struggles with this temptation.” No, there are others who struggle with the very same thing. Nothing new under the sun. Different temptations for different people even for different seasons and stations of life.
3. “I am not tempted by anything.” Better call 911 because you don’t have a pulse. You need to learn more about Lord, the Word, sin, yourself and come back to reality. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12, NIV. Watch out for pride. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18, NIV.
God is faithful
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV.
“if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
he will not let you be tempted?...
Is this talking about temptation or about trials? New English translation says it this way. “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it”
New Revised Standard Version says this, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” Testing is something that God does to us in this life. How terrible? Abraham and others went through testing of their faith. God allows these trials as a way of purifying us “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6, 7.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12, NIV. C.S. Lewis- If we think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, we will find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.
Which is it, temptation or trials? How about both! Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder Why it should be thus all the day long. It will be this way until we are home.
beyond what you can bear
1. The Lord will not put on us more than we can bear. God never makes a mistake in his testings or in allowing temptations to come our way. God never allows it to be less than we need to encourage our growth (testing) nor more than we can bear (temptations).
2. The endurance level of every Christian is known only to God, and we are assured that He will never allow us to be tested or tempted to the breaking point.
3. “God must think that I am a strong person.” God knows our strength better than we do. God knows how much we can handle, and how much we cannot. Think about what God does not allow to come our way? more than we will ever know.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1. The words “you are tempted” could perhaps be taken to mean that God brings the temptation, but this is contrary to James 1:13-14: “When tempted, no-one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” James 1:13, 14, NIV.
2. No, means that when we are tempted, God will help. He will provide way out, not necessarily to avoid temptation altogether, but to meet it successfully and to stand firm under it.
3. With every trial and temptation, God will also provide a way out. Every test we pass through, God gives us the ability to emerge victorious, thus we progress in our Christian walk.
4. Look for the way out that God provides. The easy way out is to give into the temptation and sin or to give up on our faith during the trials of life.
5. God provides a way of escape, but He will not force us to use it. Does not interfere with our free will. We are responsible for our own moral failures. We cannot blame God or Satan.
George Barna survey. 59% of Americans say that the last time they were faced with temptation, they did nothing specific to avoid giving into it. This is scary.
George Barna survey asked the remaining 41% what they did to not give into temptation.
Thesis: What are some of ways out that God provides?
For instances:
1. Pray, asking God for help and strength
A. Dependance upon God himself. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1, NIV.
B. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41, NIV.
[3 things unique to the Christian to help us in temptation:
1. One thing when we become Christians is that we have the ability to talk to God at any time and he hears and answers our prayers. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15, NIV.
2. We have the Holy Spirit in us. “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:9, 10, NIV.
3. We have the Word of God that the HS uses to help us overcome. What did Jesus do when he was tempted by Satan. Quoted Scripture. We need to constantly feed our minds upon the Bible, every day. Larry asked that question but there have been days I have skipped. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12, NIV.
An old Indian was teaching his grandson about life. One day he said, “There is a battle going on inside of me. It’s a terrible fight and it’s between two wolves. One wolf is bad and the other wolf is good. The same fight is going on inside of you.” The grandson thought and asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Indian said, “The one you feed.”]
2. Weigh options, consider the outcome and consequences.
“A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22:3, NIV.
3. Say no and choose not to participate.
“do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22, NIV.
Be careful in choosing companions,Seek only the brave and the true, And stand by your friends when in trial, Ne’er changing the old for the new; And when by false friends you are tempted The taste of the wine cup to know, With firmness, with patience and kindness, Have courage, my boy, to say No!
4. Avoid the source of temptation.
A. “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” Proverbs 6:27, 28, NIV.
B. On my computer I put up safeguards. Those things are not just there for my children.
5. Leave the scene of the temptation, get away.
The NT says to flee immorality, flee from evil desires. Joseph with Potiphar’s wife.
6. Talk to a trusted friend.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16.
So What?
When will all the trials and temptations be over? “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27, NIV.
When all my labors and trials are o’er, O that will be glory for me
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20, NIV.
These promises are for Christians. #345 Jesus I Come- Focus on the last verse.
