Tag: Temptation

Seven Stages of Temptation (continued)

The seven stages

  1. The Look – drawn away.
  2. The Lust – our own desires.
  3. The Lure – the bait.
  4. The Conception – awakening of desires.
  5. The Birth – The following through with desire – committing the sin.
  6. The growth – Sin has finished its deadly deed.
  7. Death – Brings forth death.

The Birth – Quickly happens after conception in most cases

  • Time between conception and birth is that one last chance to change your mind and not sin.
  • The Holy Spirit will use this time to plead with you to stop!
  • Conviction will become very strong.
  • Mercy is offered – one more chance for the escape route to be taken.

At this point, WE MUST force ourselves to submit to the Holy Spirit before it is too late

James 4:1-10   From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7  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.

Verses 1-3 the result of our own lust
Vs. 4- Spiritual adultery – cheating on God
Vs. 5 – Our natural spirit is on of lustful desires
Vs. 6 – Grace is offered to those who will humble themselves
Vs. 7 – Submission is the result of humility.
Vs. 8 – 9 – Repentance – I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgives us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Vs. 10 – Deliverance – total victory over the sin

I have concluded that OUR way is always the same route – Humility that leads to submission will ALWAYS lead you out.

  1. Humility – the bowing before in subjection
    1. Submission – acceptance of another’s desires as more important than your own – accepting that His plan is always the best plan for my life.

James 4:11-17 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 5  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  • We become judgmental
  • We begin to act like we are god over our own lives
  • We stop considering God’s will.
  • Pride takes over
  • We no longer desire Him, but our own pleasure
    takes us away from Him.
At this point, we lose all sight of Him – (Sin has blinded us from the truth.)

Guilt and shame become our controllers.

The deceiver continues his full-scale attack.

James 4:13-20 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

  1. verse 16 – confess – Pray fervently (If need be, get counsel)
  2. Take counsel
  3. Return Home – He is always waiting with arms wide open

Let it stop here or it will continue to grow

The Growth

  • Anger leads to wrath
  • Wrath leads to murder
  • Lust leads to adultery
  • Covet leads to stealing
  • Love of money leads to more evil

I Timothy 6:9-12  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

  1. It will cause you to depart from what you know to be the truth – Faith
  2. The result will lead you to greater sorrow
  3. Flee and seek after

Righteousness – integrity, virtue, purity of life, correct thinking,

Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

b. Godliness – respect for the things that our God’s
c. Faith – Faithfulness of things of God
d. Love – brotherly love (loving others in Christ)
e. Patience – steadfastness, consistency, endurance
f. Meekness – humility

But you young man, run for your life from all this.  Pursue a righteous life, a life of wonder, faith, love, steadfastness courtesy.

The Message 1 Timothy 6:11

Keep His word

I Timothy 6:14 - That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Timothy 6:14

Seven stages of Temptation -part 2

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.13   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.

James 1:12-17
Last time we looked at the first two steps
  • The Look
  • The Lust

Today we will look at the Lure (the bait) and the conception

The Lure (the bait)

a. Entice – to attract artfully or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage
b. Allure – Powerfully attract, tempt
c. Enticement grows your desire
d. It awakens your desire for that which is forbidden
e. You become focused on just one thing – the forbidden

Proverbs 7:10-27   And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.11  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:12  Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)13  So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,14  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.15  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.16  I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.17  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.19  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:20  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.21  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.25  Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.26  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.27  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 16:25-33 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.26   He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.29   A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.31   The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.32   He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.33   The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Two sides of enticements

The internal – the heart
The external – outside forces
External – RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Internal – GUARD the self-talk – DO NOT THROW GAS ON THE FIRE
Quickly put out the flame – change your focus
Pray for discernment to control your desires
Stop ALL internal enticements (you control what you allow your heart to follow)
Flee from all external enticements

The conception (Temptation reasons why you should choose to sin)

Temptation draws you away
Desire responds
Enticement fans the flame
(Now it is conceived —you decide to sin!
Tempted when?

James 1:13-14 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
James 1:13-14
  • When drawn away by your OWN lusts.
  • Enticed – baited
  • Conceived – Give way to sin

Enticement ends and conception begins the moment you decide to fulfill your own desire to sin
When sin is conceived, enticements sit down – it is finished
Desire takes over and sin is committed
3 Phases of enticement are

  • Desire – feelings
  • Defend – thoughts of pleasure take over
  • Decision – choice to sin is made

The desire phrase – giving emotional attraction to temptation
Your desire to respond grows
Desire takes over your thoughts (you begin to justify your sin
You then defend your sin – you rationalize that it is OK.
Choice – negative – you dismiss all reasons not to
Positive – emphasizes the reasons not to

YOUR EMOTIONS ALONE WILL NOT LEAD TO SIN – YOUR MIND AND WILL HAVE TO GET INVOLVED.

SIN HAPPENS WHEN YOUR REASONS TO SIN OUTWEIGH YOUR REASONS TO STAY HOLY

Most powerful reasons to commit sin come when you take a reason not to sin and turn it into a reason to sin

Decide phase – final choice – this is the conception

  • You begin to plan how you will
  • You decide when you will
  • Feelings begin to dictate over reason – thinking takes over in your conscious mind – not your subconscious mind – your thoughts are now wide open

Questions to ask –

  • What am I feeling that I want to do?
  • How long have I been feeling this way?
  • What am I thinking?
  • Am I looking for reasons to commit this sin?
  • Am I trying to justify the sin I want to commit?
  • What am I planning to do?
  • When and where am I planning to do this sin?
  • Have I pictured this in my imagination?

These questions will help you decide where you are at

At this point, Stop and recommit your heart and life to Him and to the truth: do this out loud.

  1. I am committing to living holy in all my conduct
  2. I submit to the Lord and choose His will for my life
  3. I yield to the Holy Spirit and His will for my life
  4. I deny myself the lust of the flesh
  5. I realize this is only a common temptation that everyone faces
  6. I believe the Lord is limiting this temptation to what I am able to bear
  7. I believe the Lord is making a way to escape right now
  8. I know the Lord is not the cause of this temptation
  9. I know the Lord is the giver of every good and prefect gift
  10. I know the Lord loves me and wants what is best for me
  11. I know this sin not only displeases the Lord but it will hurt me
  12. I have been drawn away by this temptation by my own lust
  13. I have felt my desires drawing be toward temptation
  14. I take every thought captive for Christ and stop my thoughts of this sin
  15. I am fully aware of this temptation and I will not be deceived
  16. I know this temptation is aimed at my destruction
  17. I choose to turn my back on this temptation
  18. I submit fully to Christ and I resist this temptation in the name of Jesus
  19. I present myself and all my members a instruments of righteousness
  20. I thank the Lord for His shed blood and my eternal salvation
John 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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
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