Meeting temptation face to face

Living above the line

6 July 2008

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

What is the devil’s most dangerous work?

demonisation?
sickness?
territorial spirits?
drug abuse?
sexual immorality
violence?
psychic practices?
international unrest?
global pollution?
The answer is – TEMPTATION!

Satan is called ‘the Tempter’

(1 Thess 3:5; 1 Cor 7:5; Matt 4:1-11; Lk 4:1-13)

Temptation underlies all the rest
Sin is the thing God hates most
Sin is what put Christ on the cross

1. Don’t take victory for granted (12)

A false sense of security can be dangerous
We need to be careful and watchful
Jesus said, ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation’ (Mark 14:38)
Don’t be overconfident
One of the saddest verses in the Bible tells us that when Samson lost his strength, ‘He did not know’ (Judges 16:20).
What a tragedy if we were to lose our spiritual strength and not be aware of it.

2. Everyone is tempted (13)

This is not an excuse.
On the other hand, it is easy to think there is something terribly wrong with us if we are tempted
‘Other godly people aren’t tempted like this.’
‘Other ministers aren’t tempted sexually…’
‘Other mums don’t feel angry…’
‘Others aren’t scared to witness…’
‘I’m sure other people don’t lose their temper readily as I do…’
‘Others don’t have trouble forgiving…’
The truth is that we are all tempted
Remember that Jesus was tempted in all points just as we are (Heb 4:15) – which even includes areas like sexuality
But not everyone is tempted in the same way. It is important to know our areas of vulnerability. What tempts one person may not tempt another.
Paul mentions four common areas of temptation…

[a] Idolatry (7)

The glorious golden calf (Exodus 32)
We may not worship idols – ‘only pagans do that’
But many Australians do – e.g. altars in restaurants; horoscopes; superstition
Idol = anything that takes the place of God
Idol = anything you cannot either control or get rid of
Apart from the necessities of life, if we cannot live without something it is probably an idol
Covetousness (greed) is idolatry! (Col 3:5)

[b] Sexual immorality (8)

The delightful daughters of Moab (Numbers 25)
Greek = porneo. In this case = open flaunting of sex
E.g. Mardi Gras; TV shows; films
Also among Christians – we too easily accept societal ‘norms’. We need to stand against common secular values – regarding money, entertainment, marriage, food, attitudes and so on.

[c] Testing the Lord (9)

Sadistic serpents (Numbers 21:4-9)
Basically = trying God’s patience.
How far will he let us go?
Like small children we push the boundaries to see what we can get away with
Faith or presumption?

[d] Grumbling (10)

Whining in the wilderness (Numbers 14)
Grumbling and complaining = failure to trust God.
When we complain we are really saying, ‘God doesn’t care for me.’
The best antidote is to give thanks to God for he is good (Psalm 136:1-3-)
‘What you have said to me I will do to you’ (14:28)

3. God is faithful (13)

This is often stated in Scripture.
See Deut 5:10; Deut 7:9; Ps 89:1; Lam 3:23; 1 Thess 5:24; 2 Tim 2:13; Heb 10:23; 1 Jn 1:9; Rev 19:11
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one (2 Thess 3:3).

4. We can overcome (13)

No temptation is too strong for us.
We CAN overcome it
See James 4:7; 2 Cor 2:14.
Better a living dog than a dead lion (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
The Lord’s prayer – ‘Deliver us from evil’

5. God will provide a way of escape (13)

A way of escape comes ‘with the temptation.’
No matter how powerful or intense the temptation, there is always a way out right there!
Even in the midst of the fiery furnace or the den of lions.
The example of Jesus
So we are able to endure it.

Meeting Temptation Face to Face

Heed the warning (12)
Claim the promise (13)
Live in victory every day!

Personalise the text like this and memorise it:
[13] No temptation has overtaken me that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that I may be able to endure it.

Now pray the Lord’s prayer:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honoured,
May your kingdom come,
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours
now and for ever. Amen.

Something to think or talk about

Remember, you don’t have to answer all the questions: choose those that seem most relevant.

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Biblical
1. Read the stories referred to in verses 1-10.
2. Why does Paul refer to these stories? (6, 11)
3. What do you think verse two means?
4. There are several warnings in this passage. What are they?
5. What does this passage tell us about the pre-existence of Christ?

Personal and practical
6. Satan tends to tempt us in our areas of weakness. Which are the three most vulnerable areas in your life?
7. What spiritual things can you do to strengthen those areas?
8. What practical things can you do to strengthen those areas?
9. List the promises given in this passage.
10. Which of these promises means most to you? Why?
11. Learn verse 13, substituting the first person (I, me, my) for the second person (you, your).

Christian Life