How to Overcome Temptation
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Subject: Temptation
Theme: How to overcome temptation
Introduction:
Lead Sentence: There are many temptations in life that we must overcome.
1. For example, when we go out fishing we must overcome the temptation to
catch more fish than the law says we are allowed.
2. Young people, when we wake up to go to school in the morning we must
overcome the temptation to play hooky and stay home.
Sermonic Explanation: So also, in our Christian lives there are ways that we can
overcome temptation.
Transitional Sentence: Every Christian can overcome temptation by following
these simple steps.
Body:
I. You can overcome temptation by preparing yourself spiritually before the
temptation occurs. (v. 1, 2)
A. How can you prepare yourself spiritually before temptation takes place?
1. You can prepare yourself by being led of the Spirit. (v. 1)
2. You can prepare yourself by fasting. (v. 2)
3. You can prepare yourself through prayer.
a. Matthew 6:9-13
b. Matthew 26:41
II. You can overcome temptation by refusing to comply with the temptation. (v. 4,
7, 10)
A. In verse 2 the scripture declares that Christ “was afterward an hungred.”
Which simply means that Jesus was hungry after he had fasted 40 days and
nights. The Tempter (Satan) comes to Him in verse 3 and tells him that if He
be the Son of God to turn the stones into bread. Christ refuses to comply
with the temptation not because he could not turn the stones into bread but
because he would not.
B. Jesus would not comply because by complying with the temptation Christ
would have been questioning the voice of God the Father that He had
previously heard in Matthew 3:17.
1. God says in Matthew 3:17 “This is my beloved Son.”
2. Satan says in Matthew 4:3 “If thou be the Son of God.”
C. Jesus refused to comply because it would have distrusted His Father’s care of
Him.
D. He refused to comply because by doing so it would be gratifying Satan if he
obeyed his commands.
III. You can also overcome temptation by using the Sword of the Spirit which is
the Word of God. (v. 4, 7, 10)
A. We must use the Word of God because Psalms 119:105 declares “Thy
Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
B. We must use the word to keep from sinning against God.
1. Psalms 119:11 says “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might
not sin against thee.”
Conclusion:
Look now at the truth from God’s holy word that shines on you from Matthew 4:
1-11. Every born again Christian can overcome temptation. Surely, now you can
find a way to overcome the temptations of the enemy.
