Starting Out - Temptation (Study 10)

Temptation

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All human beings are tempted to do wrong. What is more, we all have a bias towards wrongdoing - this is what the Bible means by our sinful nature. This sad fact is not altered by our Christian conversion, though we are given a new desire to please God and new strength for the fight. We should realise, from the outset, that there is a battle to be fought against the world, the flesh (our sinful natures) and the Devil.

1. IT IS NOT A SIN TO BE TEMPTED

We should distinguish between sin and temptation to sin. We sin when we yield to temptation:

James 1:14-15 (NKJV)
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Even Jesus, our pure and holy Saviour, was tempted to sin. He will give us help when it is needed:

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

2. COPING WITH TEMPTATION

Let us be honest: when we yield to temptation, it is because we choose to do so. This fact should keep us humble! There is no reason why we should give way under temptation. We are not the only ones tempted, and God always provides an escape route:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Having persuaded us to sin, the Devil tells us we are a hopeless case — a total failure as a Christian. Without excusing our sin, we should keep in mind that we are still sinners, and will be till we die. We should also remember that God is rich in mercy when we confess our failure (1 John 1:8-9) and that Jesus speaks up for us:

1 John 2:1 (NKJV)
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Now that we are Christians we cannot be content to sin. As we grow in love for the Lord, we find ourselves wanting to be delivered from the effects of sin in the world and the power of sin in our lives. We can appreciate Paul’s struggle:

Romans 7:23-24 (NIV)
but I see another law at work in the members of my body,
waging war against the law of my mind
and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

What do you think is meant by this passage?

While we remain in this world, we must resist temptation with all our strength. Having joined the Lord’s army we should fight on His side. But can we resist temptation? If so, how?

3. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

a) Know the world It is not as innocent as it seems:

1 John 2:16 (NIV)
For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man,
the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does
- comes not from the Father but from the world.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) Know yourself (the flesh). We are not as strong as we think we are:

Luke 22:33-34 (NKJV)
But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."
Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day
before you will deny three times that you know Me."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

c) Know your enemy (the Devil):

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV)
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The Devil is cunning — he sometimes appears "an Angel of Light":

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV)
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

d) Know your Bible. This will help you to know yourself and the Devil. It will also tell you of the grace of God, and give you more encouragement and practical advice than anything else. Familiarity with God’s Word will help you in the fight against sin:

Psalm 119:9 (NIV)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Jesus used the Word of God to fight the Tempter (Matthew 4:10-11).

4. STRATEGIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TEMPTATION

a) Be watchful We need to be mentally alert if we are to overcome temptation:

Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) Be prayerful (Mark 14:38 again). Since Jesus is more powerful than the Devil, it is only sensible to ask for His help and to stay close to Him:

Hebrews 2:18 (NKJV)
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He is able to aid those who are tempted.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

c) Fill your mind with pure things. Do not dwell on things that are sinful and sordid:

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
- think about such things (meditate on these things).

What do you think is meant by this passage?

d) Run away from temptation! This is wise, not cowardly — and God commands it:

2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness,
faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

e) Resist the Tempter. A straightforward principle — but difficult to put into practice. We often have to grit our teeth and simply say "No" to the Devil’s suggestions:

James 4:7 (NKJV)
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Seek the strength of fellowship as even our Lord did from His disciples in the face of severe temptation (see Matthew 26:36-38).

CONCLUSION

An old proverb says "You can’t stop birds flying over your head, but you can prevent them building nests in your hair". We cannot get beyond the reach of temptations but we can prevent ourselves being overcome by them. Finally, remember that you will only be perfect in Heaven!

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