Don't Give In | church of Christ

Don't Give In  |  church of Christ

Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title  (Right Click to Download)	Media	Category
Bobby Stafford	Don't Give In		Endurance

Don’t Give In To Temptation

Introduction:

Temptation – Each of us has been tempted before.  It can come in many forms and wear many faces.  But how do we keep from giving in to temptation?  A great example is that of Joseph in the Old Testament.  Read Genesis 39:7-9.  “And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph and she said, ‘Lie with me.’  But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.  There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.  How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’ ” NKJV  Satan found that he could not overcome Joseph with troubles from the world, so he tried to entice him with sensual pleasures.  This story reveals four principles to keep in mind when we are tempted.

Body:

I.  Satan Is Responsible for Temptations

·  God is not to blame.  (James 1:13)  “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.” NKJV  Satan is to blame.  (I Corinthians 7:5)  “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” NKJV  Also remember how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.  (Mark 1)  Sometimes he uses evil people.  (II Peter 2:14, 18)  “having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls.  They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.” NKJV

·  Satan is very good at deceiving people.  (II Corinthians 2:11)  “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” NKJV  He is the master at misleading.  That’s what temptation is all about.  Satan promises what he can’t deliver. 

II.  There Is A Difference between Temptation and Sin

·  Jesus and Joseph were both tempted, but neither one sinned.  (Hebrews 4:15)  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  (I Peter 1:19)  “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  (I Peter 2:22)  “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth;” NKJV

·  Temptation is the road that leads to sin.  (James 1:14-15)  “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” NKJV  It is the perversion or twisting of some legitimate or natural desire.  (I John 2:15-17)  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” NKJV

·  Being tempted is not a sign of weakness.  (I 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 it.” NKJV  When temptations come, and they will, there is always a way out, an escape. 

III.  There Is A Reason Why Satan Tempts Us

·  He knows sin will hurt our influence for good.  If Joseph would have given in to Potiphar’s wife, his influence would have been greatly diminished.   

·  Satan knows that sin can ruin your life.  (John 10:10)  “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  (I Peter 5:8)  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” NKJV

·  Sin will cost you your soul.  (Romans 6:23)  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” NKJV 

IV.  We Can Be Victorious Over Temptation

·  Satan is not all-powerful.  He can be defeated.  (James 4:7)  “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” NKJV

·  Our victory comes through Christ.  He intercedes for us and is always with us.

·  He has provided us with the means to overcome temptation:

o  The Word of God  (Psalm 119:11)  “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”  (Mark 4:4)  “And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and devoured it.” NKJV

o  Conviction of our conscience  (Psalm 119:104)  “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” NKJV

o  Exhortation from our brethren  (Hebrews 3:13)  “but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” NKJV

o  A full suit of armor  (Ephesians 6:10-11)  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” NKJV 

o  The escape route from God  (I 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 it.” NKJV 

Conclusion:

Joseph was able to overcome temptation and so can we.  God has provided the means for us to resist Satan.  We just have to use them.

Sermon Adapted from Mike Kiser 

Bobby Stafford 

April 10, 2016

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