Temptation – April 17, 2009

Temptation

Matthew 4:1-4

Jim Stephens

04-17-09

 

Scripture:

 

1 Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. 3 Then the Devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.’ ”  (Matthew 4:1-4 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Immediately after the profound experience of his baptism, Jesus faced the test of temptation.  He was led by the Holy Spirit into this season of temptation and testing!  That really stood out to me.  The same Holy Spirit that rested upon him like a dove at his baptism led him into the most severe testing and temptation he had ever faced!

 

I suppose it should be no surprise that times of greatest temptation can follow immediately on the heels of a spiritual high and that times of greatest testing can follow the richest blessings.

 

Application:

 

Jesus Christ was fully prepared to face the test – to overcome the temptation.  Here’s what I can do to prepare for my own seasons of testing and temptation:

 

·        Know God’s Word.  It’s not just learning rules, but learning God’s thoughts and values so I can recognize what’s deep down right from wrong.

·        Be Filled With God’s Spirit:  It’s not just an experience that gives a “feeling,” it’s being full of God so there’s not room for self and sin.  It’s also allowing the Holy Spirit to instruct, direct, and control.

·        Practice Spiritual Disciplines:  Jesus was fasting to make his spirit God-strong and his flesh weaker.  He had for years done the discipline of memorizing Scripture.  He had practiced the discipline of solitude.  He was ready!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, help me be ready for the test of temptation.  Jesus faced his Temptation Test for 40 days and overcame.  I face the my temptation test every day – some days more than others.  I want to be ready and I want to overcome and not give in to temptation.  Help me be ready for the test.  Amen.

A Way Out – November 11, 2008

A Way Out

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Jim Stephens

11-11-08

 

Scripture:

 

12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.  (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

It’s human nature and it’s the human situation.  Temptations to sin come to all of us.  Because we are all the same in our humanity, the temptations in my life are no different from what others experience.  Here are some things that will help to keep me from giving in to the temptations that come into my life:

·        Don’t become overconfident or arrogant about my condition.

·        Recognize the costly consequences of the sin.

·        Be so committed to God’s purpose for my life that I refuse to be sidelined by sin.

·        Fear the displeasure of God.  Sin separates.

·        Make myself relationally accountable to someone and be honest in that relationship.

·        Ask God for wisdom to approach life’s choices thoughtfully and not just emotionally or impulsively.

·        Look for the way out God provides rather than excusing my wrong choice.  God’s Word says to flee temptation, not resist it.

·        Be quick to confess and repent when I sin.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Thank you for your faithfulness to always provide a way for me to overcome temptation and make the right choices.  Please forgive me for the many times I don’t deal with temptation wisely and fail to take the way out you provide.  Help me to do better and to help others do better with this.  Amen.

 

Opportunity – September 21, 2008

Opportunity

Luke 4:13

Jim Stephens

09-21-08

 

Scripture:

 

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.  (Luke 4:13 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

There’s so much in these few short verses about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.  It was God’s Holy Spirit that guided Jesus into this time of fasting and the temptation that followed.  Satan himself gave Jesus his personal attention and he used all his wiles to try to defeat Jesus at the very beginning of his ministry.  Jesus turned his back on the temptations and embraced his purpose and God’s word.  Satan was through for the present, but he would watch for another opportunity to defeat Jesus through temptation.

 

Application:

 

I don’t presume that I will ever attract Satan’s personal attention, but as James says, I’ve got enough flaws that there are ways for temptation to get at me in my vulnerable areas.  Jesus was tempted to go for personal comfort and benefit, to take a short cut to what God had told him to do, and to make himself look good to others.  Not one of those things that I’m not tempted by.  Not every opportunity is an opportunity for good.  I’ve got to close the door on each sin opportunity that Satan or self puts in my path.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, you and I know my vulnerability to temptation better than anyone else.  I need your wisdom and grace to stay alert and stay focused on what is right and real.  Help me not to fall to temptation when the sin opportunity arises.  Amen.