Sunday, June 14, 2015 am
GOING ON TO PERFECTION (20)
THE CHRISTIAN AND SIN (2)
What is Temptation?
This month we are addressing the subject of sin.
Last week we defined sin and discussed its consequences as well
as noting the solution (broad) to sin – namely receiving forgiveness of
our sins from God. Today we
want to talk about temptation and sin.
We will next deal with repentance and overcoming sin.
a.
Defined
– the word for temptation is πειρασμός, (peirasmos) and is a word that
means to entice or attempt to make one do something wrong.
The word can also mean to test the character of one (trial –
James 1:2, 1 Pet 1:6, 4:12, etc.).
(cf. BDAG, L&N 88.308)
b.
It is a word used about 2 dozen times in the New Testament
(in its various forms). It
is first introduced in Matthew 4 where Jesus is driven into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We will address this text in a moment.
c.
The three avenues of
temptation –
1 John 2:15-17 he speaks of all that is in the world, “the lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.”
These are the three avenues of temptation.
They were used against Eve and Adam in Genesis 3:6 – good for food
(flesh), pleasant to the eyes (eyes), desirable to make one wise (pride
of life). She gave in and
sinned.
In Luke 4:1-13 describes the temptation of Jesus after His baptism and
40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
Satan 1) first tempted him to turn stones to bread (fleshly
appeal),
2) being offered all the kingdoms of the world (lust of the eyes), and
3) cast himself off the temple to be rescued by angels (pride of life),
a.
Fully understanding
temptation is a challenge
and one if we could master, we would conquer it.
To the degree we do understand it is the degree to which we will
overcome and resist temptations.
b.
James 1:12-18 is a good passage to help us.
i.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation
– he withstands it or comes through it without giving in.
This one will be “blessed”.
Note: Temptation is NOT sin!
Jesus was tempted in all points (avenues) and overcame.
Heb. 4:15 tells us this plainly.
ii.
When he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
– salvation. If we hope to
spend eternity with God, we need to deal with our sins and the
temptations that lead to those sins.
iii.
Let none say, “I am tempted by God” (13) – often man blames God for his sins and
weaknesses, and even the temptations.
Even Adam mentioned that God gave Eve to him.
This is a problem with the “I was born that way” argument.
God does NOT tempt anyone to sin.
We can also see that in His promise to help us overcome
temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)
iv.
Each one is tempted when
– note that temptation is universal.
We all face troubles and even temptations.
It is the vessel through which Satan uses his various devices.
And the more you serve God, the more Satan is going to try and
tempt you.
v.
He is drawn away
– the word “drawn away” means to be pulled or dragged.
Satan will work hard to pull you away from God.
He will use whatever devices he thinks will work.
Sometimes his work is subtle.
Gen. 3:1 describes the serpent as cunning.
2 Cor. 11:3 describes him as
crafty.
Satan exploited a weakness of Peter – his overconfidence.
When Jesus told him that Satan would sift him as wheat (Luke
22:31-34) he boldly declared that would never happen.
We know it did happen as Satan exploited Peter.
vi.
By his own desires (lusts)
– each person has a different set of desires or cravings that
he must deal with. Some are
more prevalent than others, but we all have weaknesses, tendencies and
vulnerable attitudes. Satan
knows what they are and that is where his focus will be.
Even in the case of Jesus, he exploited His vulnerable points (or so he
thought).
IF there is something that does not appeal to us, we cannot be tempted
by that.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemies – we set ourselves up for
failure. That is why we are
warned to discipline ourselves (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
vii.
And enticed –
this is the actual temptation.
It word that means to lure, much in the same way that a lure is
used to catch a fish. That
lure is something that by sight, sound and smell might get the attention
of a fish. As a result, he
seeks to get it. The actual
lure is often harmless if it were not for the hook. And there are
different lures for different types of fish (go to a large fishing store
and see how many different lures there are).
Similarly, Satan takes that which entices you, and he dangles that
temptation in front of you hoping you will take it.
For example: 1 Tim. 6:9-10 warns about the temptation of those who
desire to be rich. They “fall into a temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful
lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
viii.
Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin
– we find there that
temptation and even desire is not sin.
But when it has been conceived – in other words you “give birth”
to the temptation – you act on it.
The Bible speaks of walking in sin.
Ephesians 2:1-3. In
other words, you are acting out your sinful desires.
That sin as it grows brings forth death.
The challenge of this text is understand that when we sin, we are
separated from God. Perhaps
the idea is that we carry out the sin and thus we face the consequences.
Also, sin needs to be addressed if we fail to overcome sin, we WILL die
spiritually. Romans 6:23
tells us the wages of sin is death.
In times of temptation, some fall away - Luke 8:13
a.
Realize you don’t have to sin!
1 Cor. 10:13 – no temptation you cannot escape.
2 Peter 2:9 – God knows how to
deliver you – trust in Him!
Realize as James 1:13 says, God doesn’t tempt you!
Jesus didn’t sin and He was tempted – Heb. 2:18, 4:15, etc.
We are told in James 4:7 that we can resist the devil.
b.
Put on the armor of God
– protect yourself against the temptations of the devil.
Eph. 6:10-18. Adorn yourself
with godly attitudes.
c.
Be alert – 1
Peter 5:8-9, be sober and vigilant against the devil
Vs. 9 tells us we CAN resist him.
Do it!
d.
“It is written”
– when Jesus faced His temptations, He always turned to God’s word.
In all three temptations, He said, “It is written” (Matt. 4:4, 7,
10).
We need to know and appeal to scripture.
Within its pages is instructions to avoid sinful situations and
how to deal with them.
e.
Prayer
– Matt. 6:13, “lead us not into temptation”
2 Peter 2:9 - He knows how to deliver us out of temptation
Matt. 26:41 – Jesus told His disciples in the garden to watch and pray
f.
Run!
Sometimes, you just need to run.
2 Tim. 2:22 – flee youthful lusts
1 Cor. 6:18 – flee sexual immorality.
1 Cor. 10:14 – flee from idolatry.
And
thus we have an introduction to temptation.
If we are to go on to maturity, we need to realize and understand
the reality of temptation.
We need to know what tempts us and take measures to address our
temptations. May our study
today help us toward that end.
Are you yielding to temptations?