Temptation
Jesus died so that we might live, therefore it is absolutely essential we receive (by faith) God’s forgiveness for whatever sins we may have committed.
* ” Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. ” Hebrews 12:15
Are you losing the battle against your giant of temptation?
“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death”.
James 1:14,15.
*1. Tempted by our own desires. It’s not Satan. It is our own flesh. Know your weakness!!! If you don’t stop it at this level temptation will conceive………
2. Sin – if we don’t stop it at this level sin, when full grown, brings forth….
3. Death – spiritual death comes when sin is not dealt with.
We must not be afraid or ashamed to name our fears, in securities and doubts. We need to call them what they are and acknowledge them before God (Who knows all about them anyway!).
* “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. “Psalm 139:2-4
Read James 4:1-10
Verse 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
James 4:4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
***World here is Man centered, Satan directed system of this world which is hostile to God, Christ, and the Christian.
*Living in the world and only for yourself is a Stronghold– God calls it adultery.
Don’t find yourself being the enemy of God. You will lose— Your residence shall become the lake of fire.
*The Bible tells us to submit ourselves to God.
* Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.
* We have victory in Christ, BUT most of us are in a “Battle of Temptation” and are losing.
*The enemy try’s to stimulate pride in your life. It gets in the way of a relationship with God.
WE must discover through the word that there is a remedy to come out victorious…..walk with God.
* If the Lord be for us…who can be against us?
*If you are being overcome, you are not walking in submission to the word of God.
**Temptation IS going to come as long as we live in this body—BUT We can walk on the victory by the power of God.
*Temptation had no respect of person. *Don’t fall into the trap. One bad night with the devil will destroy you.
Matthew 26: 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
**Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world.
**Don’t yield to temptation, because we will fall short…we are living for SELF and NOT the glory of God.
James 1:13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2-3).
Life is often filled with death. Every experience that is opposite to what God has designed for us is an experience of death.
Temptations, Bitterness and Shame and Sorrow, Hate and Greed and Loneliness, are all forms of death that come into our lives right now.
*** That is what our Lord was experiencing. He understands these things because He has been through them Himself.
*Remember Eph 6:17-18 for weapons 2 Cor 10:4-5.
*Pick a temptation/stronghold in your life and use your weapons against it.
*This fight is not dependent on us- Jesus has already won the battle. We need to deny ourselves and give it to him.
James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
****We have victory over strongholds
1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
The Lord has gone before you and established the path to liberty. Jesus IS the way, the truth and the life. Hear the sound of His voice as Jesus calls you to come out of darkness into light and out of bondage into freedom. Your righteousness is of Jesus if you will accept it and live in the reality of redemption. There are no valid excuses for staying in darkness or bondage, for Jesus IS the way-maker. HE has made a way for you. Come forth into the glorious light.
*Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Lord, You have the power to bring life from death. Thank You that through the resurrection of Jesus You have given me new life and Victory over strongholds and Temptations through Your Perfect sacrifice on the Cross for my sins. Help me to perceive when you speak to me Lord. Thank You Lord for giving me discernment to know that the Bible IS the word of God and that Jesus IS exclusively the Way to God. What Peace, Freedom and Joy Your Truth gives. In Jesus Name, Amen