Resisting Temptation

David & Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11

Joseph & Potiphar’s wife – Genesis 39

Sin is waiting for you

• Genesis 4:7 NIV “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
• James 1:12-15 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Temptation comes in many forms

• James 4:17 - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
• Doing what we shouldn’t/not doing what we should. (Romans 7:14-25)
• 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Jesus & the devil – Luke 4:1-13

Jesus on the cross - Matthew 27:39-42

What can we learn from Jesus?

• He countered Satan with the Word
• He instructed “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mathew 26:41)
• He prayed as an example, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

How do we resist temptation?

• Watch and pray
  > Recognize that Satan is looking for an “opportune moment” to entice you
  > If Jesus wasn’t exempt from Satan’s attacks, neither are we
  > Be prepared and ready for that moment
• Walk in the light & in fellowship with God (1 John 1)
  > Remain in the Lord, and keep yourself always before Him
  > 0”Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:14)
• Hide God’s word in your heart
  > “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
  > God’s Word is an effective weapon, spoken of as a sword (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16)
• Submit to God
  > “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
  > Means “to stand under”
• Resist the Devil
  > “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...” (1 Peter 5:8-9a)
  > Means “to stand against”
• Stand firm
  > “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)
  > Hold fast to your faith – One of Satan’s schemes is to try to plant doubt or confusion about God or His word in your mind (Adam & Eve, even Jesus)
  > Also means to take your stand for the next battle
• Call upon Jesus
  >“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
  > “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 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. 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.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)