Title: Finish Well – Dealing with Temptation
Theme: How to deal with Temptation
Text: Genesis 39:1 – 19; 1 John 2:16; Luke 4:1 – 16; Matthew 6:9 - 13
Joseph’s Plight
Review Genesis 39:1 - 19
Joseph is one of 12 sons of Jacob. He quickly became his favorite son because he was born to his favorite wife Rachel.
This caused tension between him and his brothers which led them to be jealous of him and eventually sale him into slavery. So he is bought by a man named Potiphar. There is one common theme in his life. From the outside it seemed to go unnoticed, it goes like this “the Lord was with Joseph”. He was with Joseph while he was in the pit, he was with Joseph as he rode the caravan to Egypt, he was with Joesph as he is sold on the slavery block to a man named Potiphar.
This must have felt strange to him but the evidence is seen as this man Potiphar puts him, this slave boy, over all his affairs. He ran the house and the Lord blessed Potiphar. His land was a success, his crops fared well, his house was peaceful. Potiphar had found a man he could trust.
But this was not enough for Potiphar’s wife. She found Joseph to be “good looking”. Maybe Potiphar took long trips away and she felt lonely, who knows but she desired Joseph and Joseph would have nothing to do with her. The chase finally culminated into one event. One evening she finally cornered him. No place to go. She tries to coherce him into sleeping with her. Going as far as to grab is coat and pull him. He resists with these words.
(8) But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. (9) There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (10) So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. (11) But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, (12) that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
This was not easy. It was not about the woman or her looks. It was not about the position and favor he would gain by giving into temptation this was about his responsibility. A responsibility to God and to Potiphar.
We will all face temptation.
Greek word for temptation
G3986
- Original: pe??asµ?´?
- Transliteration: Peirasmos
- Phonetic: pi-ras-mos'
- Definition:
1. an experiment, attempt, trial, proving a. trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal_4:14)
b. the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy
1. an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
2. an internal temptation to sin 1b
c. of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the messiah from his divine errand
1. of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness
2. adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness
d. temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men
1. rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves
From Thayers
It is as if we are on trial. Why? Surprisingly to make us stronger.
Jesus’ Temptation
Even Jesus faced temptation.
Luke 4:1-15 NKJV Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into* the wilderness, (2) being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. (3) And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." (4) But Jesus answered him, saying, [21] "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " [22] (5) Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him [23] all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (6) And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (7) Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." (8) And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! [24] For [25] it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " [26] (9) Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. (10) For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' (11) "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " [27] (12) And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' " [28] (13) Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. (14) Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (15) And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Even Jesus was tempted. We see in Luke 4:1 – 19 that after fasting for 40 days that the devil himself came to Jesus to tempt him. This is interesting because of the fact that Jesus is the Son of God yet he is tempted by the devil. So it tells us that if Jesus was tempted we should be surprised when we are tempted.
John’s Observation –
John narrowed it down to three temptations
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
Parallel of Temptations
“Lust of the Flesh” – eat this food
a. There is the lust of the flesh. The flesh has to do with feeling, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing, and seeing. It is the seat of desires and urges. Note that desires and urges are not wrong. A man has to have desires and urges in order to live a healthy and normal life. But the desires of the flesh have to be controlled. If they are not controlled, then the flesh begins to desire and lust more and more. There are two times when the desires and urges of the flesh are wrong:
? when the flesh desires something that is directly forbidden by God. (For example, sex is not wrong within marriage, but adultery and fornication [pre-marital sex] are wrong. One helping of food is not wrong, but several helpings is gluttony.)
? when the flesh desires and desires and consumes and consumes, then it becomes indulgence and license. For example, we must desire food in order to maintain life. But if the flesh desires and desires food in order to consume and indulge, then food is wrong. Too much cake is wrong. The desire has become lust, consumption, indulgence, and license.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2 & 3 John; Jude.
“Lust of the eyes” – see what I can give you
b. There is the lust of the eyes. The eyes have to do with seeing and wanting to have what one sees. Again, there is nothing wrong with desiring what we see. Seeing and desiring is normal. It becomes wrong when two things happen:
? When we see and desire what is directly forbidden by God.
? When we see and desire in order to consume it upon our lusts and to indulge.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2 & 3 John; Jude.
“Pride of Life” – throw yourself down.
c. There is the pride of life. This is at least two things. First, the pride of life means self-centeredness, a person who is focused upon himself and wants people to notice him. It is a person whose mind and thoughts are primarily upon himself, a person who...
• seeks attention through dress or looks
• seeks attention through rank or wealth
• seeks honor • seeks recognition • seeks fame • seeks power • seeks position
• seeks luxury • seeks wealth for recognition and power • seeks to outshine others • seeks importance
Second, the pride of life means self-sufficiency, a person who is focused upon himself and feels completely capable of handling life himself. It is a person who feels that self-image, public image, ego and personal strength are the basis of life; a person who feels little if any need for God. He feels he can plow through life himself and conquer whatever problems and circumstances confront him. He feels that this world is an end within itself, that there is probably nothing beyond this life; therefore, he is to get all the comfort, pleasure, luxury, honor, and glory that he can while here. The pride of life means self-sufficiency, a person who...
• is arrogant • is conceited • is boastful • feels better than others because of rank or wealth • feels superior to others in looks and ability
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2 & 3 John; Jude.
Overcoming Temptation
Follow the Patter of Jesus
1. Pray
2. Prepare in the Spirit – Being filled with the spirit (surrending to his will and purpose)
3. Prop - Lean Upon God’s Promises – the Word of God
Another outline for PROP
- Pray (asking for God’s help)
- Resist (resist the devil and he will flee from you)
- Observe (God’s plan)
- Prepare (plan before temptation comes)
4. As Peter learned, when we fail know that Jesus is there to lift us up.
God’s Promise During Temptation – We Can Overcome
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV (13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
When we say NO! it make us stronger.
The Lord’s (disciple’s prayer)
Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“Lead us not into temptation”
Phillips “Keep us clear of temptation, save us from ourselves”
Fulfillment
Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (15) And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Conclusion
What is a temptation that you are facing today? What are you willing to lay down this morning so you can FINISH Well in 2018
