By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  Do you think temptations are always bad?  Do you think God would lead people to temptation?   If a temptation causes us to sin, are we accountable?  Are all temptations sin?  Is the Devil the author of all temptations?  Do we even know what constitutes temptations?

          We often get confused about temptations.  We have a difficult time distinguishing between temptation and sin.  Sometimes we want to blame the tempter for our sins or at least excuse ourselves by thinking we wouldn’t have sinned if someone else hadn’t lead us to temptation.  I hope before this lesson is over we will answer each of those questions and gain a better understanding of temptation.   

I.  Understanding temptation.

          A.  Temptations are trials that either make us or break us (James 1:12-16).

                   1.  The word “approved” means tried or tested.

                   2.  The temptation only works when one allows himself to be drawn away from God by his own desires.

                   3.  Sin is introduced at the point when ones own desires aren’t controlled.

          B.  The best illustration of temptation is found when Satan personally tempted Jesus to sin (Matt. 4:1-11). 

                   1.  Notice, God lead Jesus to the temptation (vs. 1).  However, God tempts no one (James 1:13). 

                   2.  The temptation wasn’t the devil but what the devil had to offer (James 1:14-15).  Jesus could not have proven His divinity if He gave into Satan.  He could have gained food to eat and riches for a life time.  But he controlled His desires.

                   3.  The temptations themselves were not accounted as sin.  Through out these trials, no sin occurred (Heb. 4:15).

          C.  With all temptations, God gives us a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).  In other words, God allows us a way in but He makes a way out. 

                   1.  Perhaps we now understand what Jesus meant when he gave an example prayer (Matt. 6:13).  

                   2.  Perhaps we understand what Jesus meant in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:41).

          D.  The trials of temptations are meant to prove our worth to God (1 Pet. 1:6-7).

                   1.  Job said his trial made him appear as gold (Job. 23:10-12).

                   2.  James and Peter also looked at trials positively (James 1:2-3; 1 Pet. 4:12-13).

II.  What to do about trials and temptations.

          A.  Avoid temptations (Rom. 6:16).

                   1.  Would an alcoholic be tempted by walking past a liquor store?

                   2.  In relationship with your spouse (1 Cor. 7:2, 5).  Not fulfilling your marital obligations will be a temptation.

                   3.  In relationship to wealth (1 Tim. 6:9-10).  The desire for wealth will be a temptation.

          B.  Pray to God to deliver us from temptations (2 Pet. 2:9).

                   1.  Remember the seed that fell among the rocks in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:13).

                   2.  Don’t harden your heart to sin when temptations strikes as the children of Israel (Heb. 3:8).

Conclusion:  Our individual responsibility when tempted is not to yield to it.  It is when we yield to temptation that sin occurs (Matt. 26:41).  We all are tempted one way or another probably every day of our lives.  As we overcome temptations we become stronger Christians.  But when we give into temptation and sin, we must make our confessions known to God.  If our sin is public knowledge, we must confess our sins one to another (James 5:16, 19-20).  Those who are subject to this invitation, please come… 

Song 442: Yield Not To Temptation.

Last modified: 05/02/08