TEMPTATION

Is temptation sin?

MATTHEW 4:1   Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

HEBREWS 4:14-15    Jesus...faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Jesus was severely tempted, yet he never gave in to temptation. Since Jesus was tempted and remained sinless, we know that being tempted is not the same as sinning. You don't have to feel guilty about the temptations you wrestle with. Rather, you can devote yourself to resisting them.

Does Temptation ever come from God?

JAMES 1:13   When you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

Temptation originates not in the mind of God but in the mind of Satan, who plans it in your heart. Victory over temptation originates in the mind of God and flows to your heart.

JAMES 1:2   When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Although God does not send temptation, he brings good from it by helping you grow stronger through it.

Why is temptation so enticing to me?

GENESIS 3:6    The woman saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious...So she took some of the fruits and ate it.

Satan's favorite strategy is to make that which is sinful appear to be desirable and good. In contrast, he also tries to make good look evil. If Satan can make evil look good and good look evil, then your giving in to temptation appears right instead of wrong. You must constantly be aware of the confusion he desires to create in you.

1 KINGs 11:1-3    Solomon loved many foreign women...The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, "You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods."...And in fact, they did not turn his heart away from the LORD.

Often, temptation begins in seemingly harmless pleasure, soon gets out of control, and progresses to full-blown idolatry. But the reality is that the kind of pleasure that leads to sin is never harmless. Before you give in to something that seems innocent, take a look at God's word to see what it says. If Solomon had done this, he would have been reminded that his pleasure was really sin. Maybe he would have been convicted enough to stop.

How Can I resist temptation?

1 TIMOTHY 4:7-8    Do not waste time... Train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

To over temptation, you need to prepare for it before it presses in on you. Train yourself in the quieter times so that you will have the spiritual wisdom, strength, and commitment to honor God in the face of intense desires ad temptation.

GENESIS 39:12   She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, "Come on, sleep with me!" Joseph tore himself away... and ran from the house. 

If possible, remove yourself from the tempting situation. Sometimes you must literally flee.

MATTHEW 6:9,13   Pray like this:... Don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

ECCLESIASTES 4:12   A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Enlisting a Christian friend as an accountability partner will give you far more spiritual strength that you have on your own.

1 JOHN 5:21   Keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

Avoid tempting situations and people.

JAMES 4:7   Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 PETER 5:8-9    Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

The devil has less power than you think. He can tempt you, but he cannot coerce you. He can dangle the bait in front of you, but he cannot force you to take it. You can resist the devil as Jesus did: by responding to the lies of the tempter with the truth of God's Word (see Matthew 4:1-11)

Promise from God  1 CoRINTHIANS 10:13   The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.