Three Keys To Overcoming Temptations

08/7/05 AM

THREE KEYS TO OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

I hate temptations.

They are so hard to resist and so easy to yield to.

Some of us are like children who are told not to go out the door, as they continue to go out the door, etc.

When we misbehave, the Holy Spirit is screaming don’t do it, while we just go right on, and then we find ourselves under conviction and miserable.

I think that most of you here know what I am talking about.

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Endure - To hold up under.

Matt 4:1-11

4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

A. Why did Jesus face this grueling 40 days of temptation in the wilderness?

B. To identify with humanity

Heb 4:14-16

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.

NIV

C. To succeed where Adam failed thereby bringing victory over sin to those who believe on Him

-Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

D. To show us how to overcome temptation

FACING TEMPTATION

A. We know Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days but nothing is said of what happened

B. We know Jesus was tempted three times after the forty days were finished

C. This account gets down to where we live on a daily basis, every believer faces temptation

D. Jesus reveals three things we need to overcome temptation

I. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Jesus’ journey into the wilderness was accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit

B. We are foolish to think we can survive in the wilderness on our own

-Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Gal 3:2-3

3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

NIV

C. We are tiny, puny and weak when compared with the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places

D. Facing temptation on our own is like walking down the streets of New York City alone at night, swimming in a piranha infested river, swimming in shark infested waters with a bleeding wound

E. We need somebody with us who scares the devil, who causes him to tremble in fear.

That somebody is the Holy Ghost.

Jesus set people free by casting the devil out and then said, “greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12

John 16:7

It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 16:18

But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.