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2. Overcoming Temptations

3. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation defined:
Webster’s Dictionary
a strong urge or desire to have or do something
something that causes a strong urge or desire to have or do something and especially something that is bad, wrong, or unwise

4. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation defined:
Biblical definition (James 1:13-15):
Being drawn away (led) by our fleshly desires (human urges) and enticed (attracted to it)
Self serving (all about me), non-spiritual (all about the flesh)

5. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all
Our flesh is the great battleground in which we war against the devil (Eph 6:11, and 14-17; 2 Cor 10:3-5); This is spiritual warfare using spiritual weapons

6. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all
Satan tries to appeal to us along three avenues of temptation (1 John 2:16)
“The lust of the eyes”
“The lust of the flesh”
“The pride of life”

7. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all
Satan has always used this approach (mixed with lies and deceit)
This is how he came at Eve (Gen 3:1-6)
This is how he came at David (2 Samuel 11:1-17)
This is how he came at Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)

8. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all (continued)
Spiritual death results from failure to fight off temptation (James 1:15)
Spiritual death is the result of yielding to temptation (Rom 8:5-6, Ezekiel 18:4,20)

9. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all (continued)
Because of sin and spiritual death, we are in need of the Savior-Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-26)
By His blood, through obedient faith in Him we have forgiveness when we yield to temptation

10. Overcoming Temptations
Temptation is common to us all (continued)
This battle does not end when we are redeemed (James 1:2,12,13)
The Christian is severely tried by Satan (1 Peter 5:6-8)

11. Overcoming Temptations
How to resist temptations
Know the adversary
Recall who the devil is: The devil is an evil, cunning, powerful being - but he is not comparable to our God (Gen 3:1)

12. Overcoming Temptations
He is cunning (skilled in using deceit) but he is not all knowing like our God
His evil presence is found all around the earth but he is not everywhere like our God (not Omni-present)
He is very powerful but he is not all powerful like our God who created all things in the universe

13. Overcoming Temptations
Know that the Devil can be resisted (James 4:7; Eph 4:27, 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8, 9)
Know the Devil’s devices are not a secret (2 Cor 2:9-11; 2 Cor 1:13-15)
He uses false teachers, false doctrine, our weaknesses, and even each other to tempt us to disobey God’s will

14. Overcoming Temptations
Remember that we are created to do God’s will
Our nature is not corrupt – we corrupt it (Ecclesiastes 7:29, 1 Cor 15:33-34)
God’s will is not beyond our ability to do it
We can understand it (Eph 3:4; 5:17; John 7:17; 2 Tim 3:16)
We can do it (1 John 5:3; Eph 2:10)

15. Overcoming Temptations
We need to use scriptures to help us when we are tempted
Jesus answered temptation with scripture (Matt 4:4, 7, 10); Over and over His answer to the Devil was “It is written”
Jesus is our example of enduring temptations (1 Peter 2:21)
Jesus’ methods are tried and proven successful (1 Peter 2:22, Heb 4:15)

16. Overcoming Temptations
To lean on the scriptures during temptation we need to know them (Psalms 119:11)
Bible study eliminates ignorance of God’s will (John 8:32)
Bible study generates wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-8)

17. Overcoming Temptations
Place scriptures in and around us during our daily lives
Place helpful verses throughout our homes (refrigerator, on the wall, etc...) (Joshua 1:9; 1 Cor 13:7)
Memorize scriptures and or write down those that apply to problem areas
Purpose to make application of those scriptures

18. Overcoming Temptations
We should pray for deliverance from our temptations
When Jesus needed strength from God, He prayed (Luke 6:11, 12; Matt 26:36-44)
Jesus taught us to pray for deliverance (Matt 6:13)
God will “make the way of escape” in answer to these prayers (1 Cor 10:13)

19. Overcoming Temptations
We need to constantly re-evaluate our pattern of life
Temptations often come when we let our guard down
Choosing to be around the wrong people (Prov 1:10)
Choosing to look upon the wrong things (Job 31:1)

20. Overcoming Temptations
We need to constantly re-evaluate our pattern of life
Temptations often come when we let our guard down
Priorities are out of order (Matt 6:33)
We are not where we should be (2 Samuel 11:2)

21. Overcoming Temptations
The Bible teaches us to be watchful and flee from temptation
Bible examples of watchfulness and fleeing
Joseph fled (Gen 39:12)
Timothy was told to flee (2 Tim 2:22)
Corinthians were warned to Flee (1 Cor 6:18)
Romans were warned to make no provision for sin (Rom 13:14)

22. Overcoming Temptations
Much of our sinfulness comes because we do not learn to break off the associations and activities that give rise to temptation
We need to break away from all evil influences

23. Overcoming Temptations
Conclusion:
Temptation is common to us all
We should not let it lead to sin
We must face temptation and resist it

24. Overcoming Temptations
We can overcome temptations by:
Remembering who the devil is and that he can be resisted
Remembering that we were created to obey God’s will
Knowing and using scriptures that will help us overcome temptations
Praying for deliverance
Constantly re-evaluating our pattern of life and making needed changes

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