~
Temptation Summary: 13 Principles ~
Based upon the Word of God we can easily state some summary
principles regarding temptation in the life of the Christian.
Common
To All Mankind
~ Since the Fall of Man in the
Garden of Eden all mankind faces temptation.
“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest
he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are
able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be
able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Satan Is The Tempter ~ “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness to be tempted by the
devil” (Matthew
4:1-11). “Be
sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing
that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1
Peter 5:8-9).
God
Does NOT Tempt Anyone
~ “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am
tempted by God’” (James 1:13a).
Satan Attacks Your Specific Vulnerabilities ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us
[which varies by individual], and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews
12:1-2).
Satan Attacks After Spiritual Victories ~ The devil also loves to attack quickly
following your spiritual victories when we you are most likely to let your
guard down (see Post #10 in this series).
Being Tempted Is NOT a Sin
~ Jesus Christ—the sinless Son of
God—was tempted by Satan. “Then Jesus was led up by the
Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew
4:1-11).
Succumbing
To Temptation IS Sin ~ “But each one is tempted
when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when
desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).
Temptation Is NEVER an Excuse For Sinning ~ God
created mankind in His own image and gave us free will—the ability to
choose. We are responsible for making
right choices. As we mature in the faith
we will increase in our batting average of right choices. “Solid food belongs to those
who are of full age [Christian maturity], that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). No one—not even Satan himself—can make your
sin. You are responsible for your
actions.
God ALWAYS Provides a Way of Escape
~ “Let
him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such
as is common to man; but God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”
(1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Being Tempted Verifies The Truth of Scripture
~ “Let
him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation
has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who
will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1
Corinthians 10:12-13).
Overcoming Temptation Draws You Closer To God
~ “Therefore
we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews
12:1-2).
Overcoming
Temptation Produces Joy and Happiness
~ “Blessed [happy] is the man who endures
temptation” (James 1:12a).
Overcoming Temptation Has Eternal
Rewards ~ “Blessed is the man who
endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him” (James 1:12).
~
Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW
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