Tag Archives: temptation

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Avoiding Temptations

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“Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13).

Don’t let your trials turn into temptations.

When we hear the English word temptation, we usually think of a solicitation to evil. But “temptation” in Matthew 6:13 translates a Greek word that can refer either to a trial that God permits to refine your spiritual character (James 1:2-4), or a temptation that Satan or your flesh brings to incite you to sin (Matt. 4:1; James 1:13- 15). Both are valid translations.

I believe “temptation” in Matthew 6:13 refers to trials. Even though we know God uses trials for our good, it’s still good to pray that He won’t allow us to be caught in a trial that becomes an irresistible temptation. That can happen if we’re spiritually weak or ill-prepared to deal with a situation.

God will never test you beyond what you’re able to endure (1 Cor. 10:13), but resisting temptation requires spiritual discipline and divine resources. Praying for God to deliver you from trials that might overcome you is a safeguard against leaning on your own strength and neglecting His power.

God tested Joseph by allowing him to be sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by an adulterous woman, and unjustly imprisoned by a jealous husband. But Joseph knew that God’s hand was on his life. That’s why he could say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to . . . preserve many people” (Gen. 50:20). Joseph was ready for the test and passed it beautifully!

Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matt. 4:1). God wanted to test Him to prove His virtue, but Satan wanted to tempt Him to destroy His virtue. Jesus, too, was victorious.

When you experience trials, don’t let them turn into temptations. Recognize God’s purposes and seek His strength. Learn from the example of those who have successfully endured the same trials. Be assured that God is in control and is using each trial to mold your character and teach you greater dependence on Him.

Suggestions for Prayer

  • Thank God for the trials He brings your way.
  • Ask Him to help you see your trials as means by which He strengthens you and glorifies Himself.

For Further Study

Read Psalm 119:11, Matthew 26:41, Ephesians 6:10-18, and James 4:7. What do those verses teach you about dealing with temptation?

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Tests and Trials

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For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] . . . [has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Hard times can bring the temptation to give up and become negative, depressed, and angry with God. Life can be difficult, but God will always intervene and His help will always arrive on time. Tonight, purpose in your heart to keep pressing on and rest in His presence.

 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Just Our Nature  

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Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. —James 1:14

We all know what it’s like to be tempted. But where does temptation come from? It does not come from God. James 1:13-14 says, “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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” We play a key role in our own temptation.

It’s like the scorpion who wanted to cross a pond. Scorpions can’t swim, of course, so he needed a ride. He walked up to a rather unsuspecting turtle and said, “I was wondering if you might give me a lift across this little pond?”

The turtle said, “Are you joking? You will sting me, and we’ll both drown.”

The scorpion said, “My dear turtle, if I were to sting you, I would go down with you. Where would the logic be in that?”

As they made their way across the little pond, however, the scorpion pulled out his stinger and gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the turtle turned to the scorpion and said, “There was no logic in stinging me. Why in the world did you do it?”

The scorpion replied, “It has nothing to do with logic. It’s just my nature.”

This is a good point. When we give in to temptation, it has nothing to do with logic. It’s just our nature. We like to say, “The Devil made me do it” or “Circumstances overwhelmed me” or “I couldn’t control myself.” But in reality, it’s just our sinful nature.

Let’s not give in to the enticement of our own desires. As the Scripture says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14, NIV).

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Process of Temptation

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Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Many people act as if there’s no defense against temptation. At the first hint of desire, they throw their hands up and give in. What they fail to recognize is that enticement is a process, and processes can be short-circuited at any stage.

Temptation usually begins in the mind, where we live out an active fantasy life. By this, I mean that the human mind has the capacity to create entire conversations and experiences out of nothing. Through fantasy, we can enjoy something without ever bringing it into the real world. And people often think that since it isn’t real, it’s harmless. This is simply not true.

The world of imagination can lead to a downward spiral of enslavement. Over time, fantasy becomes boring, and one feels a need for more gratifying fulfillment. Ultimately, our thoughts are so wrapped around the one temptation that it seems impossible to think of anything else. When that happens, our mind is held captive by the desire. And whenever our life becomes intently focused on anything other than God, we are trapped.

Because the process of temptation starts with our thinking, it can be difficult to escape. No matter where we go or what we do, we’ll never be able to outrun our own mind. We can, however, disrupt the process by filling our head with God’s Word. As we continually feed our imagination a hearty diet of Scripture, the Word will go to work against the tempting fantasy. The Bible is powerful—trust it to set you free from the pressure of temptation.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Struggle with Temptation James 1:12-15 If there’s one thing every adult and child has experienced, it’s temptation. We’ve all seen something new, attractive, or unusual, or simply an item someone else has that we don’t—and we just want it. What is “it”? The object of temptation could fall into a number of categories. Perhaps it’s a tangible item, like a new house or car. Or it might be something of a physical or emotional nature, such as the excitement of a new relationship, consumption of an unhealthy substance, or recognition for a job well done. Regardless of the category, temptation wants it—now! And if we do consider pros and cons, the conversation in our head may sound like this: Is it good for me? That doesn’t matter. Will it benefit me or my family? That’s not the issue. Could this hurt someone I love? Who cares? You see, temptation knows no loyalty. It’s a raging beast that, if left uncontrolled, can bring utter destruction into your life. Simply put, temptation entices us to follow our God-given desires beyond the limits He has set. For example, human sexuality is a precious gift from the Lord, but too often it is taken far beyond the boundaries our Creator originally established. Does this mean sexual desire is inherently wrong? Not at all. When left unchecked, however, it can be the starting point for all manner of trouble. Are you allowing a single desire to control your life? Are you continually going beyond the limits of what you know the Lord approves? Break the hold of temptation. Thank God for the desires He has placed on your heart, and ask Him to govern where those yearnings lead you.

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Charles Stanley

James 1:12-15

If there’s one thing every adult and child has experienced, it’s temptation. We’ve all seen something new, attractive, or unusual, or simply an item someone else has that we don’t—and we just want it.

What is “it”? The object of temptation could fall into a number of categories. Perhaps it’s a tangible item, like a new house or car. Or it might be something of a physical or emotional nature, such as the excitement of a new relationship, consumption of an unhealthy substance, or recognition for a job well done.

Regardless of the category, temptation wants it—now! And if we do consider pros and cons, the conversation in our head may sound like this: Is it good for me? That doesn’t matter. Will it benefit me or my family? That’s not the issue. Could this hurt someone I love? Who cares? You see, temptation knows no loyalty. It’s a raging beast that, if left uncontrolled, can bring utter destruction into your life.

Simply put, temptation entices us to follow our God-given desires beyond the limits He has set. For example, human sexuality is a precious gift from the Lord, but too often it is taken far beyond the boundaries our Creator originally established. Does this mean sexual desire is inherently wrong? Not at all. When left unchecked, however, it can be the starting point for all manner of trouble.

Are you allowing a single desire to control your life? Are you continually going beyond the limits of what you know the Lord approves? Break the hold of temptation. Thank God for the desires He has placed on your heart, and ask Him to govern where those yearnings lead you.

 

 

 

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Guard Against Temptation

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Alistair Begg

Matthew 4:1

A holy character does not prevent temptation–Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ’s case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of. Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Spirit, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial.

Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritually minded persons endure the same; and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation.

The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was His meat and drink to do the will of Him that sent Him–and yet He was tempted! Your hearts may glow with an angelic flame of love for Jesus, and yet the devil will try to bring you down to lukewarm uselessness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armor, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation.

Like the old knights in wartime, we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first unguarded moment to make us his prey. May the Lord keep us watchful in all seasons and grant us a final escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear.

 

The family reading plan for February 20, 2014 Job 20 | 1 Corinthians 7

 

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Beware of Temptations

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Alistair Begg

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house . . .

2 Samuel 11:2

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and away we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe to those who go out into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord’s battles, instead of which he rested in Jerusalem, giving himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil’s jackals and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars.

Oh, for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.

Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinderbox, and sparks so plentiful, we need to use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops and enter closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevents it. Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down, but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.