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…. The Bible Doctrine. Of Sin. Lessons Aimed At Helping Saints Define, Describe, & Defeat Sin. Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” Temptation also differs from “trials” Everyone will face adverse times
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The Bible Doctrine Of Sin Lessons Aimed At Helping Saints Define, Describe, & Defeat Sin
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • Temptation also differs from “trials” • Everyone will face adverse times • Sometimes the adversity is common to all men…at other times, adversity comes because believers try to remain faithful
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • A “trial” may not necessarily involve evil or inducements to do wrong, but it could • Illustrated by Job Job 1:13-22 2:1-10 • He was allowed to suffer greatly…he lost all he had
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • Yet, Job did not respond in the way Satan accused him of before God • Everything happened as Satan intended… except for Job’s response
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • Some conclude “trials” (adversity) come because of sin…a punishment from God • Eliphaz Job 4:7-8 • Jesus’ disciples Jn 9:1-2 • Yet, God does allow us to see adversity… it can strengthen Jas 1:2-4 1 Pet 1:6 WRONG
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • The most common concept re: temptation is a solicitation (seduction) to do evil • Solicitation is the devil’s work…not God’s 1 Pet 5:8-9 Jas 4:7 • God “tests” to make us stronger… Satan “tempts” to destroy us
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Temptation vs. “Testing” or “Trials” • The process by which Satan tempts man can be better understood when viewed as a “formula” Jas 1:14-16
Temptation’s “Formula” Step #1 Enticement to do evil Jas 1:14 • We all have desires…at times, they cry out to be satisfied • Satan presents unlawful ways for these desires to be fulfilled Gen 39:7 Acts 5:1-4 • Temptation can be endured Jas 1:12 TEMPTATION = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY
Temptation’s “Formula” Step #2 Sin itself is “born” Jas 1:15a • Interesting observation re: this verse • Man is not born in sin (Calvinism) • Rather, sin is born in man
Temptation’s “Formula” Step #2 Sin itself is “born” Jas 1:15a • Man does not resist temptation Jas 1:12 • When he yields (acts on the temptation), he sins (violates God’s law) 1 Jn 3:4 • He is now separated from God Isa 59:1-2 • He has a new “master” Jn 8:34 Rom 6:12-16 SIN = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION
Temptation’s “Formula” Step #3 Death is eventual Jas 1:15b • Sin does not (cannot) deliver what it promised (nature of deception) • Now separated from God, man is “dead” Eph 2:1
Temptation’s “Formula” Step #3 Death is eventual Jas 1:15b • Satan has achieved what he wanted…a soul is estranged from God • All that awaits is eternal death DEATH = DESIRE + OPPORTUNITY + ACTION + NO REPENTANCE
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • The Scripture declares temptation can be “endured” (overcome) Jas 1:12 • There are several things believers can do to prevent themselves from yielding to temptation’s “solicitation”
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Fill ourselves with God’s word • Believers are encouraged to “internalize” the Scripture Psa 119:11 Col 3:16a 1 Jn 2:1a • Jesus provides such an example to overcome temptation Mt 4:4, 7, 10
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #1 (vv. 2-4) • Turning stones into bread • Temptation was not about using miraculous power to provide food…if so, how would we harmonize Mt. 14:18-21? • Nor was it about abusing miraculous power • The temptation was about emphasizing material things over spiritual responsibilities
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #1 (vv. 2-4) • Turning stones into bread • The Lord quoted Deut 8:3 • Context = provision of manna • Man’s existence isn’t dependent upon food… it is entirely dependent upon living by what God has said
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #2 (vv. 5-7) • Testing God • Temptation appeared to be an appeal for Jesus to do the spectacular • “If You really want men to follow You…get their attention & jump off this temple” • Satan even quoted Scripture to bolster his claim Psa 91:11-12
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #2 (vv. 5-7) • Testing God • The devil appealed to vain glory & pride in tempting Jesus in this way • The Lord quoted Deut 6:16 • Context = Israel’s faithfulness in Canaan • Man shouldn’t test God re: what He will do if he is disobedient
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #3 (vv. 8-11) • Worshiping Satan • The last one appeared to be a “shortcut” • All kingdoms (men) would belong to Jesus if He would bow down & worship the devil • The Lord was to have the nations for His inheritance Psa 2:7-8 • Satan Ù “You can have them w/o the cross”
Jesus’ Temptations Mt 4:1-11 Temptation #3 (vv. 8-11) • Worshiping Satan • The Lord quoted Deut 6:13(same context as previous quotation) • There are no “shortcuts” to serving God… He demands our total allegiance • Satan can’t deliver what he promises…it is “fool’s gold”
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Fill ourselves with God’s word • Luke’s account of Jesus’ temptations reminds us of Satan’s persistence • Even if we endure temptation, the devil won’t quit Lk 4:13
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Limit our exposure to sin • We can help thwart temptation’s power by not placing ourselves in harm’s way (compromising situations) • Our choices will either lead us toward or away from temptation & sin
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Limit our exposure to sin • Illustrated by Lot’s story • His “criteria” for choosing his land was based solely on material concerns Gen 13:10-13 • It adversely affected him 2 Pet 2:6-8
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Limit our exposure to sin • If Lot knew about Sodom before moving there, that was a bad decision • If he didn’t know before, it was a bad decision to stay there once he learned… a spiritual danger to him and his family
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • Some situations just need to be fled 1 Cor 6:18 • Hanging around too long allows Satan to make the enticement appealing…we’ll eventually yield to the temptation
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • Joseph first tried reasoning with Potiphar’s wife Gen 39:7-9 • Left with no other recourse, Joseph did the only sensible thing…run away from a spiritually bad situation Gen 39:10-12
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • Joseph’s situation differs from Lot’s in a very distinctive way • Lot was in Sodom by choice…Joseph was not in Egypt by choice, but by means of Divine providence
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • David didn’t plan to see a naked Bathsheba…it just happened • Once in that situation, he should have removed himself • Instead, he yielded 2 Sam 11:1-4
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • The rest of David’s story reveals what has to be done to keep the sin one commits hidden 2 Sam 11:5-27a • David forgot what Joseph admitted 2 Sam 11:27b
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Get our feet moving – flee!! • The right course of action is not just to flee 2 Tim 2:22a • It is also important we surround ourselves with the right kind of people who will help us 2 Tim 2:22b
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Don’t forget the value of prayer • Jesus’ words on a very somber night should be helpful to us Mt 26:41 • Such a prayer indicates a recognition in needing Divine help when we’re tempted • Better yet, watchful prayer 1 Pet 5:7-8
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Don’t forget the value of prayer • Prayer is an equally important part of the Christian’s armor in his fight against Satan’s fiery darts Eph 6:10-18 • Being armored is not enough…we must seek Divine assistance
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Even though the primary responsibility is the disciple’s to avoid temptation & sin, God does give reassurance in a very familiar passage Ù1 Cor 10:13
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Reassurances from 1 Cor 10:13 • Because God remains in control, He will not allow His children to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear • Implied is God’s constant watch & care over His children and all their needs
Lesson 3 – Temptation To Sin Overcoming Temptation • Reassurances from 1 Cor 10:13 • He is faithful to provide the way of escape from the temptation • If we sin, it is our fault for not taking the escape route away from danger