Pulpit Speech II                                                KL Paulson
Preacher Silcox                                                   2-9-1999

Temptation

TEXT: Matthew 4:1-11

INTRODUCTION:

   3 Main TYPES of Temptation (I John 2:15-16):

   -- Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes & the Pride of Life

   Some poor EXCUSES for giving into temptation and falling for it: 

  -- It's someone elses fault (Genesis 3: Adam & Eve).
  -- I couldn't help it (Aaron & the golden calf incident).
  -- Everybody is doing it.                 
  -- Nobody's perfect.
  -- The devil made me.
  -- Peer pressure.

   Don't make excuses for giving into temptation!
   Do something scriptural about it!

I. Jesus Faced Temptations but NEVER Gave in to them.

   The slanderer (devil) solicits the Saviour to sin. 

Verse 2 -- WEAK point - physically, Jesus had just finished a 40 day fast.
                        "hungered" 
                      - emotionally, Jesus was ALONE 

Verse 3 -- "the tempter" -- it's his evil way of death

           No one is too great spiritually for being his target.

           Temptation comes to you -- you don't even have to look for it.

    Devil: "If thou be the Son of God..." casts DOUBTS on the DEITY of Christ 

           We are to live by FAITH not by sight [signs].

Verse 4 -- Jesus refutes the devil w/ Scripture.

  "It is written..." flesh [physical desires]--Deuteronomy 8:3; 
                     pride--Deu. 6:16; 
                     eyes [possessions & power]--Deu. 6:13 
  We need to know what the Bible says.

  The devil doesn't obey Scripture.

Verse 5 -- The devil never gives up easily.

Verse 6 -- The devil uses over & over the same old bag of tricks.

  The Devil REPEATS: "If thou be the Son of God..." 

  He 'uses' (abuses) Scripture portions but NOT the whole Bible. 

  Apparently, he memorizes certain passages so that he later can twist them 
out of context. 

  The devil misapplies the Scripture. 

  X-ref: Psalm 91:11 [misinterprets & omits a clause.]

  The cults do the same ALL the time (e.g. JW's)
  They slice & dice up the Holy Bible.

Verse 7 -- Don't tempt Me as God. 
           God doesn't allow the devil (or people) to continue to tempt Him.

Verse 9 -- God abhors devil worship.

See also Luke 4:1-13.

II. How to Avoid Temptation

   A. Prayer (Luke 22:46)

   B. Yield to God (Romans 6:12-14)
        The Lord Jesus Christ is the Source of our strength & power.

        James 4:10 -- "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord"

        God's GRACE is available to overcome sin.

   C. Overcome Evil with Good (Romans 12:21)

        I John 2:13b -- addressed to "young men".
        I John 4:4 -- God is greater.

   D. We should seek to Run / Escape from Temptation.

        Temptation is common to EVERY man (I Corinthians 10:13)

   -- Remember the good example of Joseph & Potiphar's wife.

   E. Don't be Ignorant of the devil's Devices. (II Corinthians 2:11)

III. Take Action

   Ephesians 6:11-17 -- the whole armour of God

   v. 11 "Put on" . . . "be able to stand against" . . . the devil.
   v. 13 "take unto you" . . . "be able to withstand" . . . the evil day.
   v. 14 "Stand...with truth" & "the breastplate of righteousness"
   v. 16 "taking the shield of faith"
   v. 17 "take the helmet of salvation" & "the sword of the Spirit [KJV 1611]"

   Get the spiritual weapons God provides & use them.

   Note: James 1:2-4,12-16 -- Temptation may appeal to wrong desire.

   A. Resist the devil (James 4:7)

   B. Draw Nigh to God (James 4:8)
       Hebrews 10:19-22

   C. Cleanse your hands & Purify your hearts.
        I John 1:9 -- confession of our sins
        Proverbs 28:13

CONCLUSION:

  Hebrews 4:14-16 Our Great High Priest

   -- To err is human; to forgive, divine.

   -- We need to be like Christ and follow His example of John Chapter 4.