Temptation

Temptation
Enticed to Do It Your Way

James 1:12-17
Blessed is the man who edures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 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. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

TEMPTATION - Enticed to Do It Your Way

Remember, it is not being tempted that is the sin...it's giving in to it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - 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.

THE BASIS OF TEMPTATION

The basis of temptation is the enticement to have legitimate human needs met through the resources of the world, the flesh, and the devil instead of through Christ.

Every temptation is an invitation to live independently of God.

1 Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

There are: CHANNELS OF TEMPTATION

"Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world,the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

The three channels of temptation are:

Lust of the flesh - which preys upon our physical appetites and their gratification in this world.

Lust of the eyes - which appeals to self-interest and tests the Word of God.

Pride of life - which stresses self-promotion and self-exaltation.

Satan confronted both Adam and Jesus through each of these three channels of temptation.

There are three critical issues reflected in these channels of temptation:
1) the will of God in your life, as expressed through your dependence on God
2) the Word of God in your life, as expressed through your confidence in God
3) the worship of God in your life, as expressed through your obedience to God

Temptation's hook is the devil's guarantee that what we think we want and need outside God's will can satisfy us. Don't believe it!

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6).

Only sustaining the right relationships, living by the power of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing the fruit of the Spirit will satisfy you.

THE WAY OF ESCAPE

1 Corinthians 10:13 is the shining good news in the midst of our tears and concerns about temptation: "No temptation has overtaken you but such 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 provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Paul instructs us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
1 Corinthians 10:5 - Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Take every thought as soon as it steps through the doorway of your mind into the obedience of Christ.

Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and is anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things"

Confess and Resist

James 4:7 tells us, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

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

We must turn to our righteous Advocate and reist our adversary
if we are to experience victory and freedom over temptation and sin.

Jesus Be Glorified!
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