TEMPTATION

What Christ like character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?

Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?

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Every temptation is an opportunity to do good

Happy is the man who doesn't give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him. James 1:12

My temptations have been my masters in divinity. Martin Luther

Fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (description of Jesus)

A stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block Temptation simply provides the choice Satan's primary weapon to destroy you, God wants to use it to develop you Every time you choose to do good instead of sin, you are growing in the character of Christ

To understand this, you must first identify the character qualities of Jesus Galatians 5:22-23

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What should you do to have the fruit of the Spirit?

How, then, does the Holy Spirit produce these nine fruit in your life?

Does he create them instantly?

Will you wake up one day and be suddenly filled with these characteristics fully developed?

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality!

Fruit always matures and ripens slowly Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.

E.g.. Love x Unlove Joy x Sorrow Patience x Angry Faithful x Unfaithful Self-control (Integrity) x Yielding Humility (Gentleness) x Pride

Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus!

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HOW TEMPTATION WORKS ?"We are very familiar with his evil schemes." II Cor. 2:11

a) Desire –NO INTERNAL DESIRE- NO ATTARCTION OF TEMPTATION-STARTS IN MIND

b) Doubt –Creating a doubt what God has said about sin

c) Deception- Half true-lie little sin-little pregnant

We think temptation lies around us, but God says it begins within us

4-Step process with 4-D’s involved

Mark 7: 21-23, James 4:1

Hebrew 3:12

John 8:44

d) Disobedience- Final act- idea into behaviour- fall into trapJames 1:14-16

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION a) Refuse to be intimidated.

-Misunderstanding of maturity- Satan does not tempt whom???-temptation is sign that satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness -

I Cor 10:13

"You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." –Martin Luther

E.g. People don't know the difference between physical attraction or sexual arousal, and lust -not the same

Attraction and arousal are the natural, spontaneous, God-given responses to physical beauty, while lust is a deliberate act of the will. The closer you grow to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you.Contract by satan-Gods child (enemy)

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION b) Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it.

-Situations that make you more vulnerable to temptation than others -. Peter warns – I Peter 5:8. Paul warns –Ephesians 4:27

Ask yourself, "When am I most tempted? What day of the week? What time of day?" "Where am I most tempted? At work? At home? At a neighbor's house? At a sports bar? In an airport or motel out of town?" "Who is with me when I'm most tempted? Friends? Coworkers? A crowd of strangers? When I'm alone?" Also ask, "How do I usually feel when I am most tempted?" It may be when you are tired or lonely or bored or depressed or under stress. It may be when you've been hurt or angry or worried, or after a big success or spiritual high. You should identify your typical pattern of temptation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible.

Wise planning reduces temptation –Proverbs 4:26,27-16:17

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION c) Request God's help.

-God wants you to ask him for assistance in overcoming temptation

God's love is everlasting, and his patience endures forever

Psalms 50:15, Heb 4:15

If God is waiting to help us defeat temptation, why don't we turn to him more often?

We're embarrassed to ask God for help because we keep giving in to the same temptation over and over.

Heb 4:16

'When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After then have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever –James 1:12

DEFEATING TEMPTATION Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts ... but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. 2 Timothy' 2:22

Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

There is always a way out

You may sometimes feel that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear, but that's a lie from Satan. God has promised never to allow more on you than lie puts within you to handle it. He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome.

The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you.

Four Biblical Keys a) Refocus your attention on something else.

In Bible -"resist temptation“ or "resist the devil” ?-Reinforcement-

By resisting it, you actually reinforce it

Since temptation always begins with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn your attention to something else

James 4:7, Job 31:1, Psalm 119:37

E.g.- Food advertisement-Over eating- nervous speaker etc..

Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior, and you act on what you felt.

To avoid being stung, stay away from the bees- Principle of replacement

Heb 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:8, Phil 4:8, Prov 4:23, II Cor 10:5

Four Biblical Keys b) Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group.

The Bible says, "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble. So humble yourselves before God.“-James 4:6-7

Ecc 4:9,10 James 5:16

Don't repress it; confess it! Don't conceal it; reveal it. Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing.

I Cor 10:13, Rom 3:23

No broadcast- Share to at least one person

Hiding your hurt only intensifies it. Problems grow in the dark and become bigger and bigger, but when exposed to the light of truth, they shrink. You are only as sick as your secrets. So take off your mask, stop pretending you're perfect, and walk into freedom.

The reason we hide our faults is pride. We want others to think we have everything "under control."

Four Biblical Keys c) Resist the Devil.

James 4:7, Eph 6:17

(Salvation-helmet, Sword of the Spirit-Word of God)

****After humbling our self and submitted to God

Don't ever try to argue with the Devil. He's better at arguing than you are, having had thousands of years to practice. You can't bluff Satan with logic or your opinion, but you can use the weapon that makes him tremble-the truth of God. E.g.-Look at Jesus

Scripture is absolutely essential to defeating temptation

Four Biblical Keys d) Realize your vulnerability.

******I Corinthians 10:13

God warns us never to get cocky and overconfident; that is the recipe for disaster. Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond Cure. Jer 17:9

Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation.

Pr 14:16- Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them. Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it.

The Bible says, "Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. “ I Cr 10:12

Thank You