October 7-8, 2006

Triumphing Over Temptation
What God Applauds

Proverbs 6:16-19
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

2 Truths About Temptation

- There's always more at stake than what you think when it comes to temptation.

- A great deal of our ability to withstand temptation has to do with our confidence in God.

Matthew 3:16
[16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Matthew 4:1-3
[1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
[2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him...

The 3 Ways Jesus Was Tempted

1) Jesus was tempted to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

2) He was tempted to try to use God for his own ends.

3) He was tempted to do the right thing the wrong way.

Matthew 4:3-11
[3] The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
[4] Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
[5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. [6] "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
[7] Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
[8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [9] "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
[10] Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
[11] Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

THERE ARE 3 THINGS AT STAKE WHEN YOU FACE TEMPTATION:

- Your future

- Someone else’s future. i.e. Your family

- Your faith

TEMPTATION...
YOU WILL NOT STEAL MY FUTURE
YOU WILL NOT STEAL MY FAMILY
YOU WILL NOT STEAL MY FAITH