Temptation Management-101—1 Series

Temptation Management-101—1—Luke 4:1-13

We must learn to control/manage life’s temptations...that we may prevent falling into—Sexual/Drug/Alcohol/Food/ Social-Relationship & Financial, etc...— sin.

Jesus was able to manage temptation so that it never hindered His ministry.

God’s people must know how to manage temptation...

...because the way we handle temptation is crucial to the effectiveness of our witness.

How are we to manage temptation effectively? or How can we be better at temptation management?

But First,

Why should we be concerned about temptation management?...2 verses:

1Cor. 10:13—“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; & God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”

Jas. 1:12-15—“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, & He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away & enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; & when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

Secrets to temptation management are...

The 1st Secret to temptation management is

KEEP FULL(:1)

Explanation:(:1)

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan & was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness”

What had occurred previously?—Public Baptism—3:21-22—

“...& the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, & a voice came out of heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.””

Lost person does not have the Spirit(the equipment) & thus cannot manage temptation properly.—

—Gas tank with hole in it—Taste power but can’t get anywhere.

1Cor. 2:14-16—“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, & he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”

—Christians can have same result— Having 2 tanks— Technically, Everything onboard, but practically we don’t use the switch!

Argumentation:

Eph. 5:18—“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”—Its our decision to be filled!

Acts 4:31—“And when they[believers] had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, & they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, & began to speak the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 13:6-11—:9-11—“But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, “& said, “You who are full of all deceit & fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, & you will be blind & not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist & a darkness fell upon him, & he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.”

*Being filled with the Spirit gives us unique hyper-sensitivity to the presence of sin & the boldness to confront it even in ourselves!

Illustration:

Gas stations along trip route/Must refill/No other fuel will make the car run

Application:

?You seek to be FILLED with the Spirit?

?Are you Managing the Temptations you face?

A 2nd Secret to temptation management is

KEEP CURRENT/MOVING(:1)

Explanation:(:1)

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan & was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness”

Can’t always live on the mountain top.

Stagnation sets in

The mountain top prepares us for the valleys.

Argumentation:

2Pet. 1:21—“...no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Gen. 1:1-3—“In the beginning God created the heavens & the earth. And the earth was formless & void, & darkness was over the surface of the deep; & the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; & there was light.”

Illustration:

Creek/Side after storm/Covered in moving water/Subsides/Puddles form/No current—Nothing fresh—No replenishment/Stinks—Film forms—Rustcolored scum grows

Rather burn out than rust out!

Application:

?You Keep Current with the Spirit?

?Are you Managing the Temptations you face?

The 3rd Secret to temptation management is

KEEP COMPLIANT(:1)

Explanation:(:1) Submitted/Surrendered/Collared/Led

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan & was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness”