"...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
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Temptation
"...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 |
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew
I. Who or what is the source of temptation?
A God does not tempt man.
James 1:13
B. Satan is called "the tempter."
Mat 4:1, 3; Mk 1:13; 1 Corin 7:5; 1 Chron 21:1; 1 Thes 3:5
C. Temptation comes from our own lusts.
James 2:14, 15; 1 John 2:16
II. God has put certain restrictions upon Satan's efforts.
A. God never allows us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure & triumph victoriously.
1 Corin 10:13
B. Satan is limited in his power in that he must request permission of God to come against us.
Job 1:12
III. Why does God allow temptation?
A. The primary purpose of temptation, if overcome, is to "perfect" us, or to make us complete.
Job 23:10; Jas 1:1-4
B. We have the choice of what to do with each temptation: either to overcome it by God's grace; or, to yield to it in sin.
1. The reward for victory over temptation will be the crown of life.
Jas 1:12; Revel 3:11
2. The result of defeat under temptation is death.
Ezek 18:4; Jas 1:15
IV. How can temptation be overcome?
A. By faith.
1 Pet 5:9; 1 Jn 5:4
B. By the Word of God.
Mat 4; Luke 4 ("...it is written...")
C. By prayer.
Mat 6:13; Lu 22:40, 46
V. In fighting temptation, it is important that the child of God recognize exactly what he is up against. "We are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices." 2 Corin 2:11
A. We do not fight "against flesh & blood" (things in the natural realm), "but against...spiritual wickedness..."
Eph 6:12; 2 Corin10:3-5
B. Satan deals most successfully in the realm of deception.
Gen 3:1; Mat 4:3; 2 Corin 11:3
C. Satan operates in the soulish realm, too--that of the mind, will and emotions--for our thoughts have yet to be put under subjection to Christ.
2 Corin 11:3
VI. Much can be learned from the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness.
A. Jesus was tempted on all three levels: 1. the lust of the flesh; 2. the lust of the eyes; and 3. the pride of life. (Mat 4; Lu 4) This was the same means by which Satan tempted Eve (Gen 3:6), and it is the same way he tries to make us fall today (1 Jn 2:15-17).
B. This is what God means when He says that Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are."
Heb 4:15
C. However, Jesus never yielded to temptation. He never sinned.
Jn 8:29; 14:30; 2 Corin 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 10:7 1 Pet 2:22; 1:19; 1 Jn 3:5
D. Therefore, Jesus Christ is qualified to be an understanding Mediator (go-between) for man.
Heb 2:17, 18
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew
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