Seven Stages of Temptation, part 1

The blame game

Genesis 3:11-13

   And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  • Adam – you gave me the woman
    • Blamed God
    • Blamed Eve
  • Eve – Blamed serpent – Satan
  • Satan – Blamed God – “Hast not God said”
Sin always comes with a price!

 Genesis 1:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin

The ultimate cost for man– both physical and spiritual death.

For the Serpent – Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Eve’s curse Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.   

Adam’s curse – 17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Sin leads to loss of innocence

Genesis :6-11 – And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.  9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Attacking the blame game Ultimately, in the end, we all blame our sin on God

James 1:13-17 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.

  • Satan tempts with sin (evil)
  • God gives only Good Gifts.
  • God is NEVER the author of temptation.
  • God is always the author of everything good in your life:

-Forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, compassion, church,
loving family, provision, life itself.

Seven stages of temptation

  • The look – when he is drawn away
  • The lust – One’s own lust
  • The lure – enticed – the bait
  • The conception – lust has conceived
  • The birth – brings sin
  • The growth – finished – full grown
  • The death – brings forth death
“The Look“
  • The open door
  • It opens the door from the protection and the protector
  • You are drawn away – you go from safe to risky
  • You must be aware of the LOOK
  • REMEDY – draw back immediately
“The Lust“

1.) Identify:

  • Person who tempts you
  • Situation that tempts you
  • Activity that tempts you
  • Place that tempts you
  • Those thoughts that tempt you

2.) Your own lusts – these are eagerly awaiting a willing heart!

Daniel 1:8  

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

  • You are drawn away by what you allow to enter your heart
  • Temptation tempts you because of what is in the inside, not what is on the outside
  • “she tempts me” it is your lustful heart tempts you
  • I saw it and could not help myself, so I took it – your covetous heart is the source of your temptation
  • They just made me so angry – you unforgiving heart was the source of your temptation
  • Temptation distorts a God given desire

It pushes the God given desire past the normal limit into excess.

It pushes the God given desire to find fulfillment in areas that are off limits.

TOOLS FOR TEMPTATION, PART ONE

Remember, we are on a journey to holiness. Holiness is just beyond
the victory over temptation.

  1. You must first learn how temptation plots against you.
  2. You must know how to enjoy the true victory, one battle at a
    time.
  3. Victory is possible if we use God’s tools that He provides us.

This whole study, some four months into it, is all about complete
total victory over temptation and sin. Hang in there, we are about
halfway through.

  • Temptations are carefully timed
  • They are carefully, individually aimed
  • This began in the garden
  • This attack is at your weakest point
  • Satan tempted Jesus after 40 days of fasting
  • Expect attacks when you are coming out of a spiritual time of
    victory with the Lord (fasting, giving, serving, studying,
    prayer, etc.) these things can drain us of energy and strength –

We often feel after a spiritual time that nothing can affect us
now. THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE.

Temptation quotient

Use the scale below to gauge your risk for temptation.

Your Temptation Alert System

1 is the weakest, 10 is the strongest

Are you…

Physically exhausted/tired 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Discouraged/down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Encouraged/up

Bored/discontent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Challenge/content

Spritually depleted/empty 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Distant/alone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Encouraged/up

Alienated, cold 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Internally hopeless/cold 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Insecure/unsure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 encouraged/up

Bitter/angry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Wounded/hurt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 encouraged/up

Your Score

90-100 – You are already in heaven
80-89 – Very strong, but be alert to subtle pride and arrogance
70-79 – Strong, but need to depend more upon the Lord
60-69 – Adequate, but watch yourself – you are on the border line
50-59 – Weak, you are emotionally vulnerable
40-49 – Danger! Guard yourself – you are floundering
30-39 – Extreme danger! Call a Christian friend ask for help quick 20-29 – In critical condition – probably have already fallen into sin 10-19 – They are wheeling you to the morgue – Urgent prayer needed 0 – 9 – This is a bad dream pinch yourself and try again

Start with Daniel

Daniel 1:8
Daniel 6:16-17
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou
servest continually, he will deliver thee.17 And a stone was brought,
and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his
own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

If your score below 70, you are in serious need of prayer and help. Be careful what you do and where you go and what you look at.
Below 50, call that trusted friend and have them come along side of
you

Never call someone of the opposite sex who is not your spouse! This can lead to deep sin and serious consequences.
Temptation can be seriously increased when one goes to a member of the opposite sex for counsel.

The best way to combat temptation is to stay in the Word. Keep reading and applying the principles found in the Bible. Do a “spiritual” check up often! Find an accountability partner. A brother or sister in the faith. Get connected to a local Church if at all possible. Find an area of ministry to serve the Lord.

Temptation, the predecessor of all sin, part two

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.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

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

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32

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.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

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.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
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.
Psalm 119:10-12 - With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 119:10-12
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.

Temptation, The Predecessor of all Sin

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

Temptation is Satan’s tool to lead us into sin, and it is a highly effective tool. He uses it to lead us from holiness to unholiness and righteousness to unrighteousness. Anyone who says they are never tempted is a liar and they are deceiving themselves.

Temptation is the primary reason we desire to sin.

Genesis 3:1-6   Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

All sin is preceded by a temptation that has overcome you.

EVE

  • You will not surely die – temptation deals with a known truth that is in opposition to sin. It minimizes the danger of sin and maximizes the imagined benefits.
  • Attacks the character of God – your eyes will be open – breeds doubt about the word and character of God.
  • All temptation is based on at least one massive lie – you will be like gods
  • Temptation always incites lust to know and experience evil – you will know good and evil

Without temptation, you would never have a desire to sin

Temptation is extremely dangerous when on thinks they cannot fall into sin.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
I Corinthians 10:12

Understand, any of us can fall into any sin at any moment.

– Satan is aware of this!

Pride will always lead to a fall

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19   Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19

  • Destruction always accompanies pride.
  • Arrogance about sin is pride – be careful how to look at Others who have fallen into sin
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.;
Matthew 26:41

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation

Jesus in Luke 22:40

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: -II Peter 2:7-9

  • An active prayer life is key to defeating temptation

Temptation seeks to overcome you.

I Corinthians 10:13 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.

  • Even while doing spiritual activities, temptation can overcome you.
  • They come and overtake you – they take control, grasp, the control to use you
  • They attempt to hold you down until you sin.
  • Temptation only exists until you yield to the sin – the sin brings guilt, shame, defeat, feelings of inferiority, separation, fear
  • Temptation is defeated when we resist and do not yield.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:7-10

Behold, I Make All Things New

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man (What man)

A. Qualifications to be made new

  • fallen man (He is Condemned – in darkness; lost; in danger; dead in trespasses and sin)
  • Any filthy man (He is Corrupted – unclean likened to a leper)
  • Any forgiven man (He is Cleansed – made whole)

B. Christ, the Faithful Man was forsaken, that any man filthy might be cleansed and forgiven!

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

In Christ

  • A relationship with Him
  • Brings one near to God
  • The place of security
  • The place of joy
  • A fruitful place

He is a new creature:

  • Redeemed

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Reconciled
  • Righteous – 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • Regenerated – 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • Rewarded -2 Corinthians 5: 10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10

Old things are passed away

  • Old creation
  • Old head (Adam)
  • Old covenants – Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
  • Old man
  • Old commandment (from the beginning)

Behold, all things are become new

  • New name – Isaiah 62:2 Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
  • New Head (Christ)
  • New heart
Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
  • New spirit
  • New nature

Ephesians 4:22-32 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

2 Peter 3:8-11 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

New Commandment-

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34

New Treasures –

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

New Birth –

John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. –

Isaiah 65:17 Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isaiah 65:17