(adapted from messages by Mark Jones and Dan Webb)
SERIES: “FATAL TEMPTATIONS”
TEXT: JAMES 1:14-15; 1 TIMOTHY 4:12
TITLE: “TEMPTATIONS TEENAGERS FACE”
INTRODUCTION: A. Several weeks ago, we started this series called, “Fatal Temptations”
1. Based on James 1:14-15 – “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is
dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
2. We have noted each time that different people have different temptations
--We’re not all tempted by the same things but we are all tempted
B. Today’s message is “Temptations Teens Face”
1. Our teenagers are rolling their eyes right now and thinking, “What could Mike
remember about being a teenager?”
--The answer is, “Probably more than you think.”
2. I was talking to parents of two teenagers this week and they asked me to pray for
their teenaged son and daughter. They both have eyesight problems.
--Their daughter can’t find anything to wear in a closet full of clothes, and their son
can’t find anything good to eat in a refrigerator full of food.
C. Young people, I’m really not here today to blast you for all the things you’re doing
wrong
--I simply want to offer you some challenges and instruction from God’s Word
1. Please understand that teenagers have faced the same basic temptations for decades
a. But I also want to let you know that there are some things that are a bit different
b. Dan Webb: “The passions [are] the same but the availability and intensity of the
temptations have greatly increased.”
2. For the adults here this morning, I want to say to you, “Never underestimate your
potential to influence a teenager’s life.”
--We’ll talk about some suggestions in that regard in a minute
3. If you’re here this morning and you can’t even remember your teenage years or
don’t have any teenagers in your family, I want you to listen anyway
--You need to be better prepared to pray for our teenagers and to encourage them
on their journey
D. In considering the key areas of teenage temptation, let’s look at some words that Paul
wrote to Timothy – his son in the faith
--1 Tim. 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
I. A REMINDER TO ADULTS
--Two important truths are couched in our theme verse this morning that we, as adults, should not miss:
A. We’re not to look down on teenagers simply because they’re young
1. One famous person said: “Youth today love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority,
no respect for older people, and talk nonsense when they should work. Young people do not stand up
any longer when adults enter the room. They contradict their parents, talk too much in company,
guzzle their food, lay their legs on the table, and tyrannize their elders.”
--Socrates, c. 5th century BC
2. There’s a tendency to think kids aren’t as mature or as responsible and disciplined as we think
WE were at their age
3. It is true that some young people today behave horribly, just as some adults do
--It may be tempting to get frustrated with kids who are out of control but it’s unfair to lump all
teenagers together
a. Do you know the pressures that teenagers face in this day and age?
b. Are you ready to jump down their throats when you see behavior that you think is intolerable?
c. When you tell them to act their age, do you understand that they probably are acting their age?
--They’re not adults. They’re TEENAGERS
d. Do you confuse their individuality with immorality?
e. Do you find yourself judging teenagers by the passing fads of clothing styles?
4. Don’t look down on teenagers because they’re acting like teenagers
--We can set standards for them and challenge them without being negative, critical, and unrealistic in
our expectations
B. We also need to watch the example WE set for them
--Paul points out clearly and explicitly in 1 Timothy 4 that our example is very powerful
1. Adults, the kids are watching
a. If we’re not consistent with our words and if we don’t practice what we preach, they’ll seldom
follow our directions
b. It’s critical that we as adults set an example for the younger generations in speech, life, love, faith,
and purity if we want them to do the same
2. I was blessed not only to have parents who made sure that they took me to Sunday school and church,
I had a dynamic youth minister, dedicated youth sponsors, and some older men in my church who
encouraged me and helped guide me in my faith.
a. Far too many young people lack those kinds of role models today
b. That’s why we as adults need to be very cautious to set an example in both our actions and our
attitudes
C. USA Weekend carried an article by Tim Wendel, “The Teenage Brain” that ran the weekend of May 16-
18, 2003
1. Until just a few years ago, scientists thought that because the size of a teenager’s brain doesn’t change
much after childhood, it stood to reason that the brain was finished developing by the teen years as well
2. However, new technology has revealed that the brain goes through tremendous upheaval and dramatic
change during adolescence
--Quote: “This upheaval affects everything from schoolwork and sleep patterns to teens’ propensity for
taking risks…”
3. It’s nice to know that scientists have finally figured out what parents of teenagers have known all along:
A teenager’s mind is a work-in-progress
4. But that’s also why we as adults should do all we can to help our teens grow up to be healthy,
productive, and godly
--that’s more likely to happen when teens have solid role models
II. THE CHALLENGE FOR TEENAGERS
--Paul gives five key areas in which the younger generation should set a proper example and also avoid the
corresponding temptations
A. Set an example in your speech
--This instruction suggests, among other things that you avoid the temptation of profanity
1. Obviously, there are numerous other ways we sin with our speech
--hateful words, sarcasm, gossip, even tone-of-voice can be harmful
2. But I remember what a temptation profanity was for me in high school
--it can’t be any easier today that it was WAY BACK THEN!
3. Typically, as you move through the teen years to adulthood, it becomes more difficult to keep your
speech pure
a. You’re bombarded by profanity on the bus, in the locker room, at the movie theater, it may be in
the music you listen to and may even be used regularly in your home
b. The more you hear it, the harder it is to avoid it
4. However, young people, I want to challenge you to rise above the crowd and learn how to express
yourself in ways that are decent
--If you can control your speech in front of your parents, your teachers and here at church, you can
control it with your friends, too.
B. Set an example in life
--avoid the temptation of hypocrisy
1. Be the same person wherever you are
a. Don’t claim to be a Christian on Sunday and then live like the world the rest of the week
b. Don’t pretend to be moral and upright around adults and then blend in with the crowd when you
think no one’s watching
2. Just this week, I read about a youth minister who rented an ape costume one Friday night and wore
it to a high school football game. He got a lot of laughs because no one knew he who was.
He sat in the student area in the stands. He saw leaders from his youth group drinking and using
foul language. One girl from his youth group gave him an obscene gesture. He left that game really
discouraged
That Sunday, he taught a lesson on hypocrisy and when he took the costume out of the bag in front
of the class, the kids realized immediately that they had been busted. Some of them apologized and
learned a valuable lesson. Others were angry, accusing him of being dishonest.
--Isn’t it funny how we hate deception in others but tolerate it in ourselves?
3. 1 Tim. 4:16 – “Watch your life and doctrine closely.”
--Christ DeWelt: “I should be the same person whether I’m holding a communion cup in my hand,
or the TV remote control.”
C. Set an example in love
--avoid the temptation of apathy
1. It’s tempting to only love those people you enjoy being around
--those who help your image; that are popular and attractive
2. But what about the disabled, the elderly, that teacher you don’t like, and even your parents?
3. What about those teenagers who don’t dress the way you do or look odd to you in some way?
--What if they stutter, are overweight, or have mannerisms that you think aren’t cool?
4. Do you belittle them, criticize them, unmercifully tease or bully them?
a. Do you call them hurtful names?
b. OR do you just ignore them
--pretend like they don’t really exist
5. We often think the opposite of love is hate
--That’s wrong! The opposite of love is apathy – just not caring
6. Sometimes the loneliest place in the world is in a crowd of people who don’t know or even care that
you exist
D. Set an example in faith
--Avoid the temptation of skepticism
1. Are you predisposed to doubt the things you learn at church?
--Do you find yourself questioning the biblical values we talk about here?
a. That’s not all bad
--it’s okay to ask questions
b. Jesus affirmed the honest doubters who came to Him unsure but seeking the truth
--God honors those who struggle with their faith but are willing to investigate to honestly know the
truth
2. However, the challenge for you is this: Don’t abandon your convictions in the face of other doubters
--In high school or when you go off to college, don’t cave in to the pressure of people, even teachers,
who scoff at Christianity
a. Don’t become cynical and skeptical just because you know some other students or adults who claim
to be Christian but live an immoral life behind the scenes
b. Chuck Colson called this generation of young people the “Whatever” generation.
1). You are constantly bombarded with the message that whatever appeals to you, whatever works
for you, whatever you choose to believe in is okay.
2). There are people who tell you that nobody should say that anybody else’s beliefs are wrong
c. However, the world is not very consistent in that attitude of open-mindedness (especially to
Christians)
-- Mark Jones shared a story told to him by a minister friend about a girl from his church named
Barbara Gardiner. When Barbara went off to college, she had a professor who didn’t say,
“Whatever,” when it came to Christianity – he ridiculed the Bible in class. He said, “We all
know the Bible is filled with contradictions and untruths.”
Mark’s friend said that Barbara is normally a quiet, non-confrontational kind of person, but
she raised her hand and asked, “Could you give an example of the kind of contradictions you’re
talking about?” The professor said, “Well…there are many of them. We all know that.” She
asked, “Could you name a couple?” He said, “Well, there are a number.” She stayed with him
and asked, “Could you give me one?”
The professor finally marched to her desk and said, “Okay, Gardiner, are you trying to prove I
don’t know what I’m talking about?” He never could name one!
3. Teens, I challenge you to stand up for your convictions
a. Don’t be arrogant, don’t be argumentative, but stand firm in the faith
b. Set an example for other believers
--Your stand for truth may help another student who’s struggling to hold on to their convictions
E. Set an example in purity
--avoid the temptation of sexual indulgence
1. Sexual temptation threatens teenagers as much or more than any other single issue in our society today
--You’re continuously hit with sex in music videos, advertisements, movies, and internet sites
2. The world and your friends may be telling you that sex is a natural expression of your love for your
boyfriend or girlfriend
a. Guys, you may be hearing that you’re not a man until you’ve lost your virginity
b. Girls, you may be hearing that certain forms of sexual contact aren’t really sex at all
--Let me tell you this morning, if it involves your sexual organs, IT’S SEX!
**and it doesn’t matter whether you can get pregnant from it or not
3. And please don’t give in to the lie that “Everybody’s doing it”
a. Not too long ago, a New York Times headline read: “One in Five Teenagers has Sex before 15”
b. Another survey showed that nearly half of all teenager have had sex before they graduate from high
school
c. We might think those are alarming statistics
1). However, those numbers mean that 8 out of 10 kids have NOT had sex by the age of 15 and
that MORE THAN HALF of all graduating students are still virgins
2). Everybody is NOT DOING IT!
d. God designed sex for marriage
--He wants you to wait until marriage, and with His help you can do that
e. Also know today that if you have already engaged in pre-marital sexual relations, God
can forgive you, restore you, and keep you out of that behavior if you will allow Him
III. THE PATH TO VICTORY
--let’s look at several quick suggestions on how you can overcome these temptations common to your age group
A. Understand the high stakes
1. Prov. 24:21-22 – “Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those
two [the Lord and the king] will send sudden destruction upon them [the rebellious], and who knows
what calamities they can bring?”
--a paraphrase might be: “Fear God and the Law. Avoid spending a lot of time with those who are
rebellious because they can get you into a lot of trouble with God and the Law.”
2. The things we’re talking about today deal with life and death, heaven and hell kinds of issues
--that’s too important to just blow off
B. Choose your closest friends cautiously
1. Now don’t get me wrong this morning
a. As Christians we walk a fine line when it comes to living in the world but not being like the world
b. If we treat the church like a fortress where we hide away from the world, how are we ever going to
evangelize those who are lost?
--Teens and adults should build relationships with unbelievers in order to share Christ with them
2. BUT when it comes time to choose your closest friends – the ones you spend the most time with, the
ones you share your deepest secrets with, the ones you go to for advice – you need to choose these
friends very carefully
a. 1 Cor. 15:33-34 – “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your
senses as you ought, and stop sinning.”
b. When your friends start influencing you negatively instead of you influencing them positively, it’s
time to find some new friends.
C. Build a relationship with your parents based on trust
1. Eph. 6:1-3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and
mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘that it may go well with you and that
you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”
--some teenagers ridicule their parents, alienate them, refuse to communicate with them, openly defy
them
2. It might surprise you to know just how much you can accomplish by following this advice
a. If you obey your parents, earn their trust, talk to them about what’s going on in your life, and
follow their rules, your home will be so much more peaceful
b. Your parents actually don’t like pointing out where you’re messing up
--most of them want a peaceful home life, too
c. Some of you may have parents where you’re basically ignored and no matter what you do, it won’t
be appreciated
--But if you earn your parents’ trust and build a solid relationship with them, most of you will find
that life gets a whole lot less complicated
D. Carefully guard what you put in your mind
1. Phil 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
2. As you battle temptation, I want to challenge you to carefully monitor the magazines, the movies, the
music and the websites that you feed on
--It’s hard to maintain a steady diet of obscenity and maintain a pur and godly life
E. Make a firm decision to follow Christ
1. John Gray, author of the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, recently gave this advice
to teenagers: “How can any teen know what is the right or wrong thing to do? Here’s a suggestion:
No matter who gives you the advice, remember that the final decision is your to make, so do what you
know in your heart is right.”
2. At first glance, that sounds like good, sound, and reasonable advice
--the problem comes when your heart wants to do what’s wrong
a. Jer. 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
b. Mt. 15:19 – “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft,
false testimony, slander.”
3. Young people, you need to make a firm, steadfast, resolute, unwavering decision to make Jesus Christ
the Lord of your life
--you need to surrender your heart, your mind, your emotions, your relationship, your behavior to Him
4. You’ll never experience victory over temptation until you put Him on the throne of your heart
CONCLUSION: A. Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m young. I’ll live for myself for now, and then straighten up
later on. I’ve got plenty of time to make things right with God.”
1. You may be right and then again, you may not
2. There are no guarantees when it comes to the future
--Young people die every day
B. There’s a story about a king who was interviewing for a new chariot driver. He
wanted the most skilled and capable man he could find, so he took three of the best up a
precarious mountain road. He showed them a dangerous cliff and then asked, “How close
could you drive the wheel’s of my chariot to the edge of that cliff?”
The first man surveyed the situation and said, “I could come within six inches of the
edge.” The second man boasted that he could come within three inches of the edge at full
speed! The third man responded, “Sir, if the king were in my chariot, I would stay as far
away form the edge as I possibly could.”
1. Which of those men got the job?
2. When it comes to temptation:
a. Don’t tiptoe on the edge
b. Don’t flirt with the devil
c. Stay as far away as you can
--Flee the evil desires of youth
d. Take a stand – setting an example in speech, life, love, faith and purity
