“Breaking Free”

1 Corinthians 10:11-13

1 John 2:16

I. The Nature of Temptations

• Paul gives us three principles that apply to every temptation:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up

under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

I. The Nature of Temptations

• Paul gives us three principles that apply to every temptation:– Every temptation has been faced by others.

• All temptations are common to man.

• We are not alone in our struggles.

– We have the power to resist every temptation.• Satan convinces us to lower our resolve.

• God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

I. The Nature of Temptations

• Paul gives us three principles that apply to every temptation:– God provides a way out of every temptation.

• When we are tempted, a way of escape is provided.

• We need to look for the escape route.

I. The Nature of Temptations

• John categorizes all temptations into three areas.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride

of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” -- 1 John 2:16

I. The Nature of Temptations

• John categorizes all temptations into three areas.– Lust of the flesh.

• Certain cravings that our bodies have.

– Lust of the eyes.• Things that trigger lustful thoughts.

– Pride of life.• Things we are tempted to do to make ourselves look

better in the eyes of others.

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Pray that the Lord will keep you from temptation.– Matthew 5:13, “Lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from evil.”– 1 Chronicles 4:10, “Jabez cried out to the God of

Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Make a covenant with yourself.– Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to

look lustfully at a girl.”– Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who

looks a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Look for a way out.– Genesis 39:12, “(Potiphar’s wife) caught (Joseph)

by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

– 1 Corinthians 10:13, “God...will provide a way out...”

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Divert your thoughts.– 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We take every thought

captive to the will of Christ.”– Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is

noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Remove yourself from the situation.– 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee the evil desires of youth and

pursue righteous, faith, love and peace.”– 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality.

All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”

II. Specific Ways to Break Free

• Employ E.A.R.S.– EVALUATE when you fall.– ASK forgiveness.– RESOLVE to do better.– START again.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your

faithfulness.” -- Lamentations 3:22-23

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such

a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so

easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let

us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set

before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the

throne of God.” -- Hebrews 12:1-2