Geoffrey Trapani - June 27, 2007
how to win over temptation
Developing a Faith That Works
James 1:12-18
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (vs. 12 KJV)
"Peirasmos"
Trials (from God) - to help us grow
Temptations (from Satan) - to cause us to sin
The oldest problem that man faces is temptation. If any man says we are not
tempted he deceives himself. When you can understand temptation, you can
overcome it.
HOW CAN I WIN OVER TEMPTATION?
1. Be Realistic (vs. 13a) - Face the fact EVERY one is tempted. The verse doesn't say
if a man is tempted it says when.
"No Temptation has seized you except what is common to man..." I Corinthians 10:13
Many times we unintentionally chase people out of church by making them feel guilty
that they're even tempted. The sin isn't being tempted, it's giving into the
temptation. Even Christ was tempted.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but
we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."
Hebrews 4:15
2. Be Responsible (vs. 13b) - Don't blame God, don't blame other people.
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone."
3. Be Ready (vs. 14-16) - Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.
"Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and
enticed...Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."
We need to be prepared when it comes.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's
schemes. " Ephesians 6:11
"In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes."
2 Corinthians 2:11
Many times we overcome the big temptations and it's the little things that get us.
Be aware that sometimes you're the most vulnerable after a great success.
The more committed you are the tempted you will be.
4. Be Refocused (vs 17) - If temptation is in our inner thoughts, then we need to
change our attention. Refocusing our attention on something else. CHANGE YOUR
MIND!!!
The more you fight a feeling the more it grabs you.
We need to think on things that are above. God is good, he has blessed us
richly. Don't focus on what it is tempting you.
Whatever resists, persists. It's not fighting the sinning, it's turning our back
on it and getting our mind on something else. This is the day that the Lord has
made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. You need to get out of the situation if
you're being tempted.
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1,2
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things. " Philippians 4:8
5. Be Reborn (vs 18) - We need to be born in Him and have His life in us.
"...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it!"
1 Corinthians 10:13
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAY NOT TO TEMPTATION TILL YOU CAN YES TO
GOD!!
James 1:12-18
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (vs. 12 KJV)
"Peirasmos"
Trials (from God) - to help us grow
Temptations (from Satan) - to cause us to sin
The oldest problem that man faces is temptation. If any man says we are not
tempted he deceives himself. When you can understand temptation, you can
overcome it.
HOW CAN I WIN OVER TEMPTATION?
1. Be Realistic (vs. 13a) - Face the fact EVERY one is tempted. The verse doesn't say
if a man is tempted it says when.
"No Temptation has seized you except what is common to man..." I Corinthians 10:13
Many times we unintentionally chase people out of church by making them feel guilty
that they're even tempted. The sin isn't being tempted, it's giving into the
temptation. Even Christ was tempted.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but
we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."
Hebrews 4:15
2. Be Responsible (vs. 13b) - Don't blame God, don't blame other people.
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone."
3. Be Ready (vs. 14-16) - Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.
"Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and
enticed...Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."
We need to be prepared when it comes.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's
schemes. " Ephesians 6:11
"In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes."
2 Corinthians 2:11
Many times we overcome the big temptations and it's the little things that get us.
Be aware that sometimes you're the most vulnerable after a great success.
The more committed you are the tempted you will be.
4. Be Refocused (vs 17) - If temptation is in our inner thoughts, then we need to
change our attention. Refocusing our attention on something else. CHANGE YOUR
MIND!!!
The more you fight a feeling the more it grabs you.
We need to think on things that are above. God is good, he has blessed us
richly. Don't focus on what it is tempting you.
Whatever resists, persists. It's not fighting the sinning, it's turning our back
on it and getting our mind on something else. This is the day that the Lord has
made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. You need to get out of the situation if
you're being tempted.
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1,2
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things. " Philippians 4:8
5. Be Reborn (vs 18) - We need to be born in Him and have His life in us.
"...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it!"
1 Corinthians 10:13
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAY NOT TO TEMPTATION TILL YOU CAN YES TO
GOD!!
12Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial, because
when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that
God has promised to those who
love him.
13When tempted, no one should
say, "God is tempting me." For
God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he tempt anyone;
14but each one is tempted
when, by his own evil desire, he
is dragged away and enticed.
15Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear
brothers. 17Every good and
perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of
the heavenly lights, who does
not change like shifting
shadows. 18He chose to give us
birth through the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of first
fruits of all he created.
James 1:12-18 (NIV)
perseveres under trial, because
when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that
God has promised to those who
love him.
13When tempted, no one should
say, "God is tempting me." For
God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he tempt anyone;
14but each one is tempted
when, by his own evil desire, he
is dragged away and enticed.
15Then, after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear
brothers. 17Every good and
perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of
the heavenly lights, who does
not change like shifting
shadows. 18He chose to give us
birth through the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of first
fruits of all he created.
James 1:12-18 (NIV)
HOW TEMPTATION WORKS (vs. 14-15)
*Desire (It's an inside job) - The little desires
become a huge temptation.
"Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires..."
It's often if there is a fulfillment of a legitimate desire
done the wrong way. ie food, sex, gifts from God.
Sex is a gift God has given for a married couple, food
is an enjoyment God has given. But they become an
obsession.
*Deception (secret of fishing is the right bait for the
right fish) - Satan knows your desires, what draws
you away from Christ. Temptation always looks
better than it is.
"...he is dragged away and enticed..."
*Disobedience - the battle starts with your thoughts
then becomes an action.
What we take in, what you flirt with will cause you to
fall.
The whole purpose of advertising is to get you to
imagine something that
you desire and ends up causing action, buying the
product. The devil is trying to get you to "buy his
product" and disobey God
"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin"
*Death (opposite of living) - The best description of
hell is complete separation from God.
"and sin, when full grown gives birth to death."
*Desire (It's an inside job) - The little desires
become a huge temptation.
"Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires..."
It's often if there is a fulfillment of a legitimate desire
done the wrong way. ie food, sex, gifts from God.
Sex is a gift God has given for a married couple, food
is an enjoyment God has given. But they become an
obsession.
*Deception (secret of fishing is the right bait for the
right fish) - Satan knows your desires, what draws
you away from Christ. Temptation always looks
better than it is.
"...he is dragged away and enticed..."
*Disobedience - the battle starts with your thoughts
then becomes an action.
What we take in, what you flirt with will cause you to
fall.
The whole purpose of advertising is to get you to
imagine something that
you desire and ends up causing action, buying the
product. The devil is trying to get you to "buy his
product" and disobey God
"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin"
*Death (opposite of living) - The best description of
hell is complete separation from God.
"and sin, when full grown gives birth to death."
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