Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. - I Corinthians 10:12-14
As we continue our study on temptation we are going to focus on this universal fact: everyone must deal with temptation. No one is immune to it and it is going to affect you. We will fully examine this in more detail and learn better how to deal with it.
your temptation is not unique to you.
- Each temptation is common
- Each individual is unique.
- Satan knows your weakness.
Beset – skillfully surrounds you
- Gluttony
- Lust
- Gossip
- Anger
- Deceitfulness
- critical spirit
Your temptation will usually be in your area of weakness.
Your area of weakness is not unique to you. I Corinthians 10:13 –
Truth (God’s Word) is our way out
the lies we follow.
- I just cannot help myself.
- it runs in the family.
- it is what I have always done.
- the devil made me do it.
- I am strong enough to overcome it myself.
- it is God’s fault. He allowed it to happen
- I prayed, but that did not work.
- I cannot be perfect
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Stop worrying and start waiting on him.
Psalm 46:6-11 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
I Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
the truth about your temptation
- It is not unique to just you.
- It is based on a lie from Satan.
- The truth is what gives you the power to say no.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Temptations are limited and not allowed to be stronger than your ability to resist.
- God is faithful
- You have the ability to overcome it.
- Reminder – Temptation comes from Satan, the solution comes from God
James 1:13-22 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
God does not hide when you are faced with temptation. – The opposite is true.
- He comes near to you.
- He gives you the way out.
- He is still there.
II Timothy 3:11-17 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- Your temptation does not make God angry with you.
- God says to the temptation – you cannot cross this line.
- Satan’s abilities are limited by God. (Read Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; 1:21-22)
God limits my temptation to my ability, not to yours.
- You have God’s full attention when temptation comes.
- God does not automatically increase your strength.
- God does enable you through obedience to His word.
verse 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Your abilities are tied to your current circumstances.
Life’s situations can determine your severity of temptation – REMINDER – GOD WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE.
Draw on His compassion and mercy!
Lamentations 3:18-26 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.21 ¶ This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
