When You Pray: Week 7
Temptation is not a sin, but what we do with temptation can lead to sin. We see in Matthew 4 that Satan tested Jesus in the wilderness, but we know that Jesus is without sin. He knew how to combat the schemes of the enemy. Remember, Satan is a created being. He is not an equal with God, and he will ultimately be defeated by God. That said, he is crafty and knows how to lure us into sin. Would God tempt us? No. James 1:13 tells us that God tempts no one. He doesn’t play games with us. God does test us, but He will never tempt us.
What is temptation anyway? A temptation is an invitation from Satan to sin for the purpose of harming us. A trial is a difficult situation orchestrated by God for the purpose of growing us more into His image. Trials, because they test us, can bring temptations with it. For example, if you lose your job and God is using that situation to show you that you can depend on Him to provide for your needs, it could lead to a temptation to steal in order to make ends meet in your own strength.
How do we fight temptation?
1. Acknowledge your need – We all have a tendency to either deny Satan’s existence or to obsess that he is everywhere. We must be reminded that we are not able to resist temptation by our own power. Most of us experience that our willpower is not quite as strong as we would like to think, and the most dangerous thing we can ever do is believe that we are immune to temptation, even specific ones. Be careful to never say, “I would never do that.”
1. RUN –
1 Cor 10:12-14 -“therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
1 Cor 6:18 – “Flee from sexual immorality”
1 Tim 6:11 – “flee these things” (the love of money)
2 Tim 2:22 – “So flee youthful passions”
James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
3. Use Common Sense – Know your weak spots and do not put yourself into a compromising situation. Use wisdom.
4. Look behind the lie for the consequence – Sin is fun…for a little while. Take a minute to play out the scenario to see the horrendous consequences of falling into sin through that temptation. It is awful and never worth it. James 1:13-15 says that “sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
5. Speak/Pray the Word – Again, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan giving Him half-truths. Jesus knew the Word and squashed Satan’s attempt to tempt Him. 1 John 4:4 tells us “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
We need to look at all of this under the banner of living in community! When we live in relationship with one another, we have accountability around us. Don’t live in isolation. And remember, tired people make bad decisions. Make sure you are taking time to live a balanced life.
Questions to consider:
- When is a time you were tempted and overcame that temptation? How did that scenario play out? What would the consequences have been if you allowed that temptation to cause you to sin?
- What is a trial that you have faced in life? How did God grow you in that season? Was there a potential for temptation to lead to sin in that time?
- Have you ever said, “I would never do that!” Why is that a dangerous thing to say?
- What protections do you have in your life to help you overcome temptation?