God Speaks about Temptation
1. What does it mean to be Tempted?
According to Scripture, temptations are from without. They are external. Our own lusts or desires are internal.
When the temptation aligns with the desire, then we have real problems.
Being tempted is not a sin, giving into temptation is always a sin.
Temptation is the external draw to do something morally wrong in violation of our conscience, the Bible or both.
Remember, temptations are universal. To be tempted is to be among the living.
2. How am I tempted?
1 John 2:15-16
Lust of Eyes - money, stuff, materialism, greed
Lust of the Flesh - sensuality, hedonism, sexual immorality
Pride of Life - power, political standing, adoration of others
3. Why am I tempted?
Wrong place - David
Wrong time - Joseph / David
Right Place
Right Time
Wrong people - Amnon had friend
Weak spiritually - Demas
Right People
Strong Spiritually
4. How can I overcome temptation? FLEE - RUN - TREAT AS HAZARDOUS
1. Remember being tempted is not a sin
2. Memorize Scripture
“Bible is more important than food” - Martin Luther
3. Meditate on Scripture
4. Confess sin - don't make excuses for it
5. Remember temptation brings sin and sin produces death. It never ends well.
6. Ask God for victory over temptation and sinful habits
A Christ follower doesn't have to be a slave to sin
Verses to Memorize
1 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].
Galatians 5:16 - [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Hebrews 2:18 - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
James 1:14 - But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Ephesians 6:10-18 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
Luke 22:40 - And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
1 John 2:1 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Romans 12:2 - 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.
1 Peter 5:8-11 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: