THE GREAT ESCAPE – Escape From Temptation
1 Peter 2:16
INTRODUCTION:
Temptation is a thread that joins us all together as human beings; temptation levels the playing field! We are all susceptible to its attraction, and we can all be equally devastated when we yield to its seduction. Some of the biggest battles you will deal with in your life involve overcoming temptation. The best policy when you give in to temptation and sin is to quickly repent and admit you’re wrong and set a new course of action.
ILLUSTRATION: The wrong approach to failure is demonstrated by the little boy who was caught eating cookies out of the cookie jar after having been told he could not have any. His response to his mom; "I really wasn’t going to eat any mom, I just climbed up to smell the cookies, you didn’t say I couldn’t smell them, and while smelling them somehow my teeth got caught on several of them and the cookies wouldn’t fall off!" – Source Unknown
• James 1:12-15 (NIV)
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. [13] When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
We all face temptation, but God has promised that regardless of what the temptation may be that we face, He will make a way of escape. Temptation does not have to destroy us; we don’t have to fall into the trap of sin. WE CAN ESCAPE FROM TEMPTATION!
James shows us that temptation often begins though:
I. EXTERNAL TRIALS
• James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial . . .
A. James tells us to persevere, to remaining steady.
1. The phrase translated "perseveres under trial" in the NIV can also be translated "enduring temptation." (KJV uses this)
2. “Trials” in verses 12 is the same Greek word peirasmos that is translated as "tempted" in verse 13. Literally these trials or temptations can be thought of as TESTS. God uses trials and temptation as a test to prove our character.
ILLUSTRATION: When the Union-Pacific railroad was under construction an elaborate trestle bridge was built over a large canyon along the route connecting St. Louis and California. Before opening it to traffic the bridge was put to a test. A train was loaded with extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload, then it was driven out into the middle of the bridge and parked there for a whole day. One worker complained, "Are you trying to break this bridge?" "No," said the engineer. "I’m trying to prove that the bridge is unbreakable." – Source Unknown
3. While God uses external trials for the expressed purpose of building our faith and character HE NEVER tempts us to sin!
4. God allowed such external trails to prove Job’s commitment and faithfulness. God allowed Satan to test Job, these were “external” temptations ... coming not from within Job’s heart but coming from Satan’s schemes. Job was tempted to give up and not trust God, to “curse God and die,” but God knew the condition of Job’s heart. In all of his trials Job did not sin against God.
5. When external trials bring temptation we are to remain steady and endure! These kinds of temptations or trials are to prove our character, not destroy it!
B. When we persevere through the external trials of life we receive a reward
• James 1:12
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.
1. External trials bring the rewards and satisfaction that comes from victory over such trials!
2. The rewards of resisting temptations include the freedom from the many consequences of our sin. While God will forgive our sin, we still have to live with the consequences. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV)
3. The rewards of a disciplined life are many! To those who overcome these external temptations God promises the “crown of life!”
a. This is the greatest reward for those who don’t yield to such external temptations, a reward that will not quit!
b. Perseverance has eternal rewards and satisfaction!
II. ENTICING TEMPTATION Not all temptation comes from external sources. Some come from our heart. James 1:13-15 1 Cor. 10:13
A. When it comes to temptation it is important to Recognize Source.
1. The greatest struggles against temptation does come not from external sources as much as it does from INTERNAL sources!
• James 1:13-14 (NIV)
[13] When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
2. Even Satan cannot be blamed for temptations that arise from the evil desires that spring out of our own hearts, things such as lust, greed, selfishness these all spring up from within us.
3. These sources of temptation stem from the flesh and blood we inherited from Adam and Eve and their fall into sin.
4. It is important that we are honest about the desires of our flesh. Our body enjoys comfort and pleasure; it resists discipline and sacrifice. We can be tempted to sin by just what lies within us. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners!
ILLUSTRATION: For years scientists were puzzled about apples that had worms in them but had no breaks in the surface of the apple! How did they get inside when there did not appear any outward signs of entrance? What they discovered was that a certain worm lays its eggs right on the apple blossom in Spring, and as the apple develops it encases the egg right from the beginning. Later when the apple nears it complete maturing process so does the insect egg, it hatches and eats its way out from the inside! – Source Unknown
5. The seed of sin was planted in us by Adam and Eve, ever since then it has been found in the heart of each human at birth, eating its way out in our thoughts and actions as we grow!
6. James makes it clear that sin finds expression from us even without Satan’s help, it can come from within!
a. Honesty in acknowledging this fact can help us be alert to the process and help us fight it! THE FIRST STEP TO WINNING A WAR IS TO RECOGNIZE WHO YOUR ENEMY IS. We are our own worst enemy. The devil doesn’t make you do it, you do it because you want to!
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
b. Temptation is a common experience among all people! It is common because we are all made of the same flesh and blood. Our flesh is weak; it wants its own way, pleasure not pain, satisfaction not sacrifice, diversion not devotion, hobbies not holiness.
c. No one is exempt from this inner pull toward sin!
• Galatians 5:24 (NIV)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature [that is the flesh] with its passions and desires.
d. "Crucifying this old man" is a daily process even for believers!
e. At salvation you became a new creation in Christ Jesus; spiritually you were made alive in Christ. However you still live in the same body with the same impulses and desires. We must learn to make our flesh submit to God.
B. Run Away From Sin!
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1. You don’t have to try to overcome temptation in your own strength. God is with you; His Spirit will empower you to say no to sin and yes to obedience! God will make a way of escape! Don’t look at temptation, those things that will entice you to sin, look for God’s exit and run through it! When should we look for the exit?
2. James now describes the 3 stage process of how sin takes hold of us and destroys us.
• James 1:14-15 (NIV)
[14] But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
a. Desire
b. Sin
c. Death
2. The time to conquer sin before its ugly consequences take hold is at the first stage: DESIRE
a. Every sin begins as a desire; the desire is the thought. The longer you think about it, the more likely you will move toward fulfilling your desire.
b. Every action begins with a thought; before you take action and fall into sin break free from the thought. Run away and think on things that are pure.
c. At this stage sin has not yet expressed itself; it is here where sin can be avoided by a planned escape.
3. You win the battle in your mind! Overcome temptation by letting God renew you in your mind. A transformed mind produces a transformed life. God works from the inside out.
ILLUSTRATION: A senior pastor who told his handsome new assistant pastor to avoid the dangers of immorality in the ministry. The assistant pastor quite sure of himself said, "I’ll do much of my socializing in groups, there is safety in numbers." The wise senior pastor however responded, "Yes, there is safety in numbers, but there is more safety in Exodus!" RUN AWAY FROM SIN! – Source Unknown
4. When improper desires strike, take your eyes off of whatever it is that is creating the desire and get your eyes on Christ. Too often we sit and stare at temptation and try to “intellectualize” the event, thinking we are strong enough to do this! The longer you look at it, the more the temptation level is going to increase. If you’re not looking at it, you might be able to get away from it!
5. Avoid dwelling on the desire, it may just enhance it!
6. If desire is nourished it will grow until it is birthed into existence! Stop feeding it if you want it to die!
ILLUS: One little girl found a unique way to successfully overcome sinful desires in her heart. She applied a visual game that went like this: “When Satan comes knocking at my heart’s door I send Jesus to answer the door ... when Satan sees Jesus he says, ‘oops, I am sorry, I must have the wrong house.’” Instead of dwelling on the desire she turns it over to the Lord! – Source Unknown
7. Desire nurtured will give birth to SIN next ... the second stage of this process of temptation.
a. At this stage tragedy results, evil is expressed; people are hurt, actions that result in pain and loss occur.
b. Sin is now out in the open, it has been "born" for all to see.
c. Even at this stage however we can recover ... by repentance and confession we can at least recover to start over again!
d. While it is true that repentance may bring forgiveness sometimes the consequence of such sinful actions remain ... even at times throughout a lifetime!
e. At this point God still offers an ESCAPE ... His shed blood on Calvary allows us the opportunity to be forgiven if we confess our sin and acknowledge it! Recovering is assured to those who seek God and renewal of the heart and mind is promised!
8. The final stage comes to those however who fail to escape in the earlier stages, this final stage has no recovery possible! Thus it is a great tragedy to be avoided! The final stage is DEATH ... eternal & spiritual death!
a. Notice how this is contrasted to verse 12 where the “crown of life” is promised to those who endure temptation!
b. When sin has fully matured ... meaning its existence throughout one’s lifetime without repentance, it will bring forth spiritual death, and finally hell!
c. It is a great tragedy that some will follow the 3 stage process of temptation to its ugly conclusion!
d. At this final stage there is no hope ... this is after the fact, beyond this life. While there is still life now there is still hope!
e. Escape from temptation must take place before this final stage is reached!
9. In 1 Cor. 10:13 Paul tells us that God will ALWAYS make a way of escape for those who look for one ... NO ONE HAS TO SIN! WE DO NOT HAVE TO YIELD TO TEMPTATION!
CONCLUSION: The temptation to sin never comes from God, He is not a tease! The lure to sin comes from our fallen nature or appetites. Though temptation is real, we can resist the temptation to sin, God promises to always make a way to escape (1 Cor. 10:13)! We are to endure outward trials (James 1:12) but to resist inward temptations (James 1:13-15). Success brings the “crown of life” (James 1:12), failure gives birth to death! (James 1:15) Take the great escape God gives you! Jesus is the ultimate escape route.
