Everyone is tempted, GOD will make a way out, GOD will not make the choice for you. He will provide the choice.
Our scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear.
As we have learned, EVERYONE IS TEMPTED, no exception! GOD will not allow a temptation too great that you cannot resist. HE will make a way out ( a choice). GOD will not make this choice for you! The final decision is yours to make, right or wrong.
IF EVERYONE IS TEMPTED HOW CAN WE MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES?
1. I find the best place to start is to go to the top, that is GOD. GOD is always with you. Remember, NO ONE is closer to GOD than you are. It doesn’t matter if you are a preacher, mother, father, young or old. We are all the same when we stand before GOD. I go to GOD in prayer, you can tell HIM everything, He already knows. Sometimes when tempted you don”t have time for a long prayer. The prayer I use is ” GOD I need you please help!!!” HE never fails to hear and help me! Then there are times when you have time for long prayer to GOD. These times tell GOD every detail about the problem, discuss the problem with GOD, let him know how you feel and admit your weakness and you need him. Ask him to show you the way out.
2. Change your focus of attention. Temptation always starts in your mind. So turn your attention to something else. TV commercials know that by showing food it will make you hungry. When someone yawns, then you yawn, if someone cough next to you cough or clear your throat. That is the power of suggestion. The desire for something has been planted in your mine. The bible says in Philippians 4:8 ” Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things
3. Resist the devil! The bible does not tell us to resist temptation, but rather resist the devil. The bible tells us in James 4:7 ” Therefore submit to GOD, resist the devil and he will flee from you.
IF EVERYONE IS TEMPTED, HOW CAN I RESIST THE DEVIL?
In Ephesians 6:17 it says: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of GOD.
Without CHRIST JESUS we are defenseless against the devil. You must use the word of GOD as your weapon against the devil. ( that is the bible) the first step is daily bible reading. Think of this like bullets for your gun. An empty gun is of no value. JESUS was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1-4. Jesus defended HIMSELF by quoting scripture to the devil, and the devil fled from HIM.
I want you to look up Matthew 4:1-4 and read it for yourself. Look up the scriptures Jesus used to resist the devil.
SO, EVERYONE IS TEMPTED! WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED!
1.WHEN TEMPTED SEEK GOD IN PRAYER
2. Meditate on things that are of virtue and praiseworthy
GOD did not make us robots. Doing only what God wanted us to do. God did not want robots. He gave us the freedom to pick and choose. This freedom starts with the smallest to the largest things in our lives. He gave us the freedom to accept or reject HIM. This also includes temptation. The temptation is an opportunity to do good or evil. This CHOICE is yours!
Our Scripture for this lesson is ” James chapter 1 verses 12 thru 16
verse 12: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love HIM.
verse 13: Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by GOD; for GOD cannot be tempted by evil, nor does HE Himself tempt anyone.
verse 14: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed
verse 15: Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
verse 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
TEMPTATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY
The temptation is simply the CHOICE to follow GOD or satan. Verse 12 says; blessed is the man who endures temptation. Temptation is a satan weapon to destroy you. God uses temptation to teach and strengthen us.
Where does temptation come from?
Read verses 12 and 13 again.
1. GOD cannot be tempted.
2. GOD does not tempt anyone
3. verse 14 Temptation comes from within us, our desires.
Satan uses the desires to destroy us, to defeat us, and discourage us. Satan can use any desire we have, no matter if they are evil or legitimate, he can use them to defeat us. Satan will whisper to you; you deserve it, you should have it now, it will be just for fun, no one will know, just this one time won’t hurt and it’s just a little white lie. Please remember this, satan can make sin into the most beautiful things you will ever hear, see or feel.
Satan uses DOUBT to trick us!
Satan tricked Eve into eating the apple, By saying, did God really say not to eat the apple, you will not die if you eat it, you will be like God if you eat it! Satan has not changed his tactics to this very day, We are still falling for them!
Satan uses Deception to Trick us!
Satan uses deception to trick us by whispering to us; you can get away with it, no one is looking, It will solve all your problems, just this once won’t hurt, I deserve it. I have worked hard, why can’t I everyone else is doing it, I don’t care I will worry about it tomorrow and the biggest of all, I can’t do this, I am too weak, I should have never tried.
Then comes DISOBEDIENCE
We finally act on our desires we have been toying with, and give in to temptation, We believe the doubt, the deception, and fall into satan trap!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So how do we resist Temptation?
1. By studying satan tactics.
2. Daily Bible reading.
3. Group Bible study.
4. The Bible is GOD’S instruction manual on how to live your life here on earth. You will not know if you don’t read the manual!!!!!!
5. temptation is an opportunity!
Next week we will continue our discussion on ” how to resist temptation”
A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Hi, I am Sam Ferguson. A Sunday School teacher for more than 20 years. I saved all the lesson I have taught and would like to share them with you. My goal is to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. The Bible says in Matthew 28:19-20 to go onto all the world teaching the gospel a nd making disciples of all nations. I don’t promote any religious denomination or disprove any religious denomination, faith or belief. I only teach the Words of GOD, which is the Bible
