Temptation Management-101—4 Series

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

A Texan wanted to go ice fishingRead up on Ice Fishing/Bought all the equipment/

Set out for the nearest frozen lake.

Began to drill a hole in the ice.

Suddenly ---from the sky--- a voice boomed, "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE ICE!"/ Startled & moved further down the ice/Began to cut yet another hole.

Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed, "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!" DO NOT DRILL INTO THE ICE!

The Texan, now quite worried, moved in the opposite direction /& tried again to cut his hole. The voice came once more: "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE! DO NOT DRILL INTO THE ICE!”

He stopped, looked skyward, & said, " Is that you LORD?"

The voice replied, "No, I’m the Ice-Arena Manager!" DO NOT DRILL INTO THE ICE! WE’VE GOT A HOCKEY GAME TONIGHT!’

The Ice Arena manager shouldn’t have allowed the Texan onto the arena in the first place.

God’s people must be good managers of temptation.

We must control personal temptation to prevent falling into... Sexual/Drug/Alcohol/Food/ Social-Relationship & Financial, etc... sin, thus freeing God to work in our lives.

Jesus was able manage temptation so that it never became sin.

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 supposed to manage temptation(effectively)?

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.”

13 secrets to temptation management follow.

10 of these are...

1. FULL(:1)of the Spirit

2. CURRENT/MOVING(:1)Beyond the Mountaintop

3. COMPLIANT(:1)Allow the Spirit to Lead

4. OPEN(:1)To anywhere(even the painful) the Spirit leads

5. DILIGENT(:2)Stick with God

6. ENEMIES(:2)Distinguish right from wrong

7. HUMBLE(:2)Vulnerable in Christ, Not arrogant

8. ALERT(:2-3)

9. In The WORD(:4,8, 12)

10. BALANCED(:3-4)

11—A Secret to temptation management is

Keep LOYAL(:5-8)

Explanation:(:5-8)

:5—“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him 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.”

“Domain/Power”—exousia— authority/power/jurisdiction.

“Glory”—Worldly system

Eph. 2:1-2—“And you were dead in your trespasses & sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”—Prince of the power of the air—As flies are in the air—Beelzebub-bul

A Temptation of ‘Ultimate’ Power/Authority/Sovereignty

Devil’s sovereignty is Limited whereas Jesus’ is temporary & unlimited.

:7—““Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.””

:8—“And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’””

WORSHIP—Expression of God’s worth to me. His awesomeness. Unless you are providentially hindered you will seek to worship God with like-minded believers.

SERVICE—Expression of God’s worth to me.

Rom. 12:1—“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living & holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

Argumentation:

Prov. 21:21—“He who pursues righteousness & loyalty Finds life, righteousness & honor.”

1Kgs. 8:54-62—“And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer & supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. Then he stood & blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. “May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, & to keep His commandments & His statutes & His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day & night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant & the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes & keep His commandments, as at this day.” Then the king & all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD.”