Temptation: Wanting to Do Something You Should Not Do By Pastor Dan Kennedy © February 3, 2019 www.pastorkennedy.com Scripture Reading James 1:13–18 (ESV) 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Did you ever wonder where “Temptation” came from and who was affected by it? What does “Temptation” really mean? Who is this concept really speaking to? Temptation · Conscience: God has given everyone a conscience to establish restraints and basic human values. (Founded and rising from God’s 10 Commandments) o If we choose to consistently go against our inbred conscience, given by God, we will become “calloused” in our conscience, and God may give us over to a “reprobate,” “debased,” or “depraved” mind. (Rom. 1:28-32) · Judeo-Christian values: Foundational for many National and Regional Laws enforced by law enforcement and the Judicial System in the U.S. · Expedient Laws: Speed limits, personal agreements, etc. · Family Rules and Expectations Romans 7:7–11 (ESV) Paul Expressed the Realization of Sin because of God’s Laws 7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. Those who do not acknowledge a Personal God have little concern about Temptation… unless participation in it culminates in making them look bad or gets them into trouble. What Basic Temptations Do We Face? The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1–17 Temptations revealed: Worship God Alone - Do not have other gods before Me (You cannot serve God and money)  Temptation: To Worship something other than God 2. No Idols, Images, or Good Luck Charms - Do not make other graven images to worship Temptation: To create Idols, Images, or Good Luck Charms which we think can help us 3. Do Not Use God’s Name in a Vain Way - Do not take the Name of God in Vain Temptation: To use God’s Name in a Vain Way 4. Rest In Christ - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy Temptation: To Not find “Rest In Christ” God meant for those He created to one day recognize the dynamic of His Rest in the Sabbath which He instituted at Creation: A Special Rest. A Mystery of Salvation!  God’s Sabbath Rest was Mysterious emphasis for humankind’s need for Spiritual rest: the Sabbath Rest of Salvation. (1 Cor. 16:2; Rom. 14:5-12; Heb. 3:7-4:16)  5. Honor Parents - Honor your father and your mother Temptation: To Not Honor Parents 6. Do not murder Temptation: To hurtfully speak against (character destruction) or mortally harm others 7. Do not commit adultery Temptation: To lust with our eyes, heart or actions 8. Do not steal Temptation: To steal what is not ours 9. Do not be a “false witness” against your neighbor Temptation: To lie and gossip about others 10. Do not “long-to-have” that which is not ours Temptation: To “covet” in our hearts our neighbor’s house; our neighbor’s spouse, social standing, car, assets, or anything that is our neighbor’s. When you are tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t be doing, who is tempting you? · Is God the One tempting you to do wrong? (James 1:13) No, God does not tempt us with evil. How are you being tempted? Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (v. 14) When the desire to do wrong takes hold of you, then you give way to sin. o Sin, when fully grown, brings forth death. (v. 15) Death to do what you should be doing.   Death in disobedience to God.  Spiritual dysfunction, distortion, decay, and delusion.  Death to the authority whom God has put over us for our own protection.  Death to healthy relationships.  Death to healthy emotional strength.  Physical death.  Loss of Spiritual Reward.  1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. · God does not tempt anyone, but He allows temptation to try everyone. · Does God allow temptation so we will be destroyed, or so our repentance and faith in Him will be revealed? o There is much said about repentance and faith in Scripture, and the call for “sinners” (those who have fallen into temptation) to repent (Matt. 3:2,8 – John the Baptist; and by Jesus in Matt. 4:17; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 24:46-47, etc.) Luke 13:3 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 24:46–47 46 and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Acts 17:30 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent… o God allows Trial and Suffering to be profound life altering events trying the steadfastness of each person’s faith (one might seldom need to repent for testing and trials…but alwaysfor giving in to temptation). Temptation is directly related to our will and to our repentance from sin, before God. Psalm 51:16–17 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 139:23–24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! o Trial and Suffering, in the life of the Believer, seems to work together to give us the will, undergirded by the Power of Christ, to resist Temptation, bolstering us to repent of sin and remain steadfast in our faith before God. The Temptations of Jesus · Jesus Himself, at the beginning of His ministry, was tempted by the devil. (Matt. 4:1-11) · Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15) · So, Jesus understands our dilemma of temptation, and welcomes our cry to Him, as we seek deliverance and victory. (Heb. 2:18; 4:16) Overcome Temptation is part of trial and testing, allowed by the Lord, and those who are victorious, and overcomers will be given the Crown of Life, which the Lord gives to those who love Him. (James 1:12) Romans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1 John 4:4 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 5:4–5 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Revelation 2:7 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:11 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelation 2:17 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:26–27 26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— just as I have received authority from my Father. James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Revelation 12:11 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 21:7 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Conclusion God sees through the “five foolish virgin” types (Matt. 25:1-13) in the world who symbolically carry just enough semblance of “light” to evidence an appearance of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5). God uses testing, trial, suffering and temptation to reveal the unreality of such façade faith. God then allows enduring faith to overcome even through severe adversity, testing and temptation, so the purification of genuine faith will be found to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of our soul! (1 Peter 1:6-9) It is those with this faith that He desires to be with Him in His Eternal Kingdom! 1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Temptation:

Wanting to Do Something You Should Not Do

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Scripture Reading

James 1:13–18 (ESV)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Did you ever wonder where “Temptation” came from and who was affected by it?

What does “Temptation” really mean? Who is this concept really speaking to?

Temptation

· Conscience: God has given everyone a conscience to establish restraints and basic human values. (Founded and rising from God’s 10 Commandments)

o If we choose to consistently go against our inbred conscience, given by God, we will become “calloused” in our conscience, and God may give us over to a “reprobate,” “debased,” or “depraved” mind. (Rom. 1:28-32)

· Judeo-Christian values: Foundational for many National and Regional Laws enforced by law enforcement and the Judicial System in the U.S.

· Expedient Laws: Speed limits, personal agreements, etc.

· Family Rules and Expectations

Romans 7:7–11 (ESV)

Paul Expressed the Realization of Sin because of God’s Laws

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

Those who do not acknowledge a Personal God have little concern about Temptation… unless participation in it culminates in making them look bad or gets them into trouble.

What Basic Temptations Do We Face?

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1–17

Temptations revealed:

1.Worship God Alone - Do not have other gods before Me (You cannot serve God and money)

Temptation: To Worship something other than God

2. No Idols, Images, or Good Luck Charms - Do not make other graven images to worship

Temptation: To create Idols, Images, or Good Luck Charms which we think can help us

3. Do Not Use God’s Name in a Vain Way - Do not take the Name of God in Vain

Temptation: To use God’s Name in a Vain Way

4. Rest In Christ - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

Temptation: To Not find “Rest In Christ”

• God meant for those He created to one day recognize the dynamic of His Rest in the Sabbath which He instituted at Creation: A Special Rest. A Mystery of Salvation!

• God’s Sabbath Rest was Mysterious emphasis for humankind’s need for Spiritual rest: the Sabbath Rest of Salvation. (1 Cor. 16:2; Rom. 14:5-12; Heb. 3:7-4:16)

5. Honor Parents - Honor your father and your mother

Temptation: To Not Honor Parents

6. Do not murder

Temptation: To hurtfully speak against (character destruction) or mortally harm others

7. Do not commit adultery

Temptation: To lust with our eyes, heart or actions

8. Do not steal

Temptation: To steal what is not ours

9. Do not be a “false witness” against your neighbor

Temptation: To lie and gossip about others

10. Do not “long-to-have” that which is not ours

Temptation: To “covet” in our hearts our neighbor’s house; our neighbor’s spouse, social standing, car, assets, or anything that is our neighbor’s.

When you are tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t be doing, who is tempting you?

· Is God the One tempting you to do wrong? (James 1:13) No, God does not tempt us with evil.

How are you being tempted?

Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (v. 14)

When the desire to do wrong takes hold of you, then you give way to sin.

o Sin, when fully grown, brings forth death. (v. 15)

•Death to do what you should be doing.
•Death in disobedience to God.
•Spiritual dysfunction, distortion, decay, and delusion.
•Death to the authority whom God has put over us for our own protection.
•Death to healthy relationships.
•Death to healthy emotional strength.
•Physical death.
• Loss of Spiritual Reward.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

· God does not tempt anyone, but He allows temptation to try everyone.

· Does God allow temptation so we will be destroyed, or so our repentance and faith in Him will be revealed?

o There is much said about repentance and faith in Scripture, and the call for “sinners” (those who have fallen into temptation) to repent (Matt. 3:2,8 – John the Baptist; and by Jesus in Matt. 4:17; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 24:46-47, etc.)

Luke 13:3

3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Luke 24:46–47

46 and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 17:30

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent…

o God allows Trial and Suffering to be profound life altering events trying the steadfastness of each person’s faith (one might seldom need to repent for testing and trials…but alwaysfor giving in to temptation). Temptation is directly related to our will and to our repentance from sin, before God.

Psalm 51:16–17

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 139:23–24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

o Trial and Suffering, in the life of the Believer, seems to work together to give us the will, undergirded by the Power of Christ, to resist Temptation, bolstering us to repent of sin and remain steadfast in our faith before God.

The Temptations of Jesus

· Jesus Himself, at the beginning of His ministry, was tempted by the devil. (Matt. 4:1-11)

· Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)

· So, Jesus understands our dilemma of temptation, and welcomes our cry to Him, as we seek deliverance and victory. (Heb. 2:18; 4:16)

Overcome

Temptation is part of trial and testing, allowed by the Lord, and those who are victorious, and overcomers will be given the Crown of Life, which the Lord gives to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

Romans 12:21

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 John 4:4

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 5:4–5

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 2:7

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Revelation 2:11

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’

Revelation 2:17

17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Revelation 2:26–27

26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—

27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;

he will dash them to pieces like pottery’—

just as I have received authority from my Father.

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 12:11

11 They overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.

Revelation 21:7

7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Conclusion

God sees through the “five foolish virgin” types (Matt. 25:1-13) in the world who symbolically carry just enough semblance of “light” to evidence an appearance of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5). God uses testing, trial, suffering and temptation to reveal the unreality of such façade faith.

God then allows enduring faith to overcome even through severe adversity, testing and temptation, so the purification of genuine faith will be found to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of our soul! (1 Peter 1:6-9) It is those with this faith that He desires to be with Him in His Eternal Kingdom!

1 Corinthians 10:13