Temptation

Last Sunday we lost the audio of our podcast, so I'm going to summarize the message in this blog.

Where is God in our temptations? You'd be happy to know that God hasn't left us on our own when it comes to temptation. On the contrary, God helps us in at least four ways when we are tempted. Let's look at each one briefly.

First, God has set a limit on the intensity of every temptation. First Corinthians 10:13 says "He [God] will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand." As God limited Satan in what he could do to Job (see Job 1:9-11), so God limits what Satan can do to us. The good news is that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.

Second, alongside every temptation God has designed a way out. First Corinthians 10:13 says "When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Our temptations are not impossible to resist. There's always a way to avoid giving in to our temptations. Usually Satan tempts us to fulfill God-given desires in sinful ways. For example. We all have a God-given desire for sexual fulfillment. There's nothing with having that desire. But Satan tempts us to indulge the God-given desire in a sinful way (i.e. lust, adultery, fornication, etc.). Often times, the way of escape is to choose to fulfill the God-given desire in a righteous way (i.e. fulfill your sexual desires in the context of marriage). When you are tempted, you should pray "God, I know that with every temptation is a way out, an alternate action I can take. Please show me what that is in this situation. Amen."

Third, God provides us with the power to win against temptation. Ephesians 6:10-11 says "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." This verse shows us that there's a power available to us outside of ourselves. Our will power in NOT enough. We need God's power. With God's power working within us we can stand firm against any of the devil's schemes. When we're tempted the most important role God plays is that of empowerer. Ephesians 1:19 speaks of the imcomparably great power available to us who believe. Second Timothy 1:7 says "God didn't give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline." This power the Bible speaks of comes at salvation and enables us to say "yes" to God and "no" to temptation and sin.

Fourth, God changes our relationship to sin the moment we trust Jesus as Savior. Romans 6:10-14 says "Jesus died to break the power of sin...So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin...Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires...Sin is no longer your master..." This verse teaches us that before we accept Jesus as Savior we are dead IN OUR SINS, but once we accept Jesus we are DEAD TO SIN. Sin can no longer force us to think or do anything. It will still influence us, but we don't have to obey.

Where is God in our temptations? He is right there helping us! What a great God we serve! Why don't you thank him right now for his provision in the midst of your temptations?

Book recommendation: Temptation by Charles Stanley