Essential discipleship 5

You Were Created To Become Like ChristAdapted from Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life

Monday, 12 August 13

Growing Through Temptation

Section 26 01-208


Every temptation is an opportunity to do

good


James 1:12Blessed 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.Monday, 12 August 13

Temptation is a stepping stone to spiritual maturity not a stumbling block - an opportunity to do right not wrong - choose right and you grow in character.

Warren does this by suggesting you identify the character qualities of Jesus - the fruit of the Spirit - and knowing that Jesus is each of these perfectly


How does the HS produce these in your life?

Slowly


“God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by

allowing you to experience circumstances in which you’re tempted

to express the exact opposite quality”Warren, page 202


We learn love as God puts unlovely people around us - loving lovely people is easy!

We learn real joy in the midst of sorrow - happiness depends on external circumstances, joy depends on your relationship with God.

Peace comes through times of confusion and chaos - choosing God when we are afraid


You can’t claim to be good if you’ve never had the opportunity to be unfaithful - integrity is built by defeating the opportunity to be dishonest, humility by refusing pride etc.

Each time you defeat a temptation you become more like Jesus


How Temptation Works

Satan is entirely predictable - he has used the same strategy and tricks for all of creation.

2 Cor 2:11 TM After all, we don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we're not oblivious to his sly ways!


Step 1 - a desire is created in you, sinful (revenge, control etc.) or legitimate (need for love etc.)

The temptation is to fulfill either of these in a sinful way - a wrong way or at the wrong time - a shortcut which you might think you deserve, or will make you feel better.

This begins within us.


Mark 7:21-23 - For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

James 4:1 - What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?


Step 2 - doubt, about what God has said about the sin.

“Did God really say...surely God wants me to be happy...doesn’t this apply to someone else at some other time...”

Heb 3:12 So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.


Step 3 - deception, satan does not tell the truth but replaces what God has said with lies or half truths - no one will know, it is only a little sin...

John 8: 44 You belong to your father, the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.


Step 4 - disobedience, you act on what you have been thinking about, you give in - the thought is birthed into action

James 1:14-16 each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.


Overcoming Temptation

It is not enough to understand temptation - you have to overcome it


1. Refuse to be Intimidated

Many Christians are frightened and demoralised by tempting thoughts - feeling ashamed for being tempted - you will not outgrow temptation, it is part of a fallen world

Satan does not tempt those already doing his will but he hates those who are not - temptation is a good sign in this sense


It is not a sin to be tempted

“You cannot stop birds form flying over your head but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair” Martin Luther


The closer you grow to God the more satan hates you - and will try to bring you down. Sometimes when you pray a strange or evil thought might enter your mind - to distract or shame you - it is satan trying to stop your prayers - don’t condemn yourself but refocus on God


2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Plan wisely - make good choices

Where are you most vulnerable to temptation?

Time of day, location, people, tired, lonely, stressed, self

pitying, angry, hurt, successful


2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Plan wisely - make good choices


Eph 4:26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

Prov. 4:26-27 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Prov. 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life


3. Request God’s helpPsalm 50:15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.Many Biblical characters prayed this simple prayer. And remember God does understand;Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.


God wants to help you defeat temptation - do you want to be helped?Are you embarrassed to ask for help with the same repeating temptation? God is patient and understanding - don’t you think he would rather you ask for help than be defeated?God is eager to be gracious and merciful.


Ask God for help, for power to do the right thing - and expect him to help.Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Temptations throw us back on Jesus


Key Question:

What christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?


Summary Sheet

Growing Through Temptation: _______________

____________________________

How does temptation work?

2 Cor 2:11 - be aware of satan’s ways

1. Desire - Jas 4:1

2. ________________________

3. ________________________

4. ________________________

Dealing with temptation

1. ________________________

2. ________________________

3. ________________________

Verse: James 1:12

____________________________________________________________________________________


Summary Sheet

Growing Through Temptation: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good - God wants to grow the fruit HS in me!



1. Desire - Jas 4:1

2. Doubt - did God really say?

3. Deception - John 8:44

4. Disobedience - James 1: 14-16


1. Refuse to be intimidated - Psalm 121

2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it - where, when?

3. Request God’s Help - do I really want help? Heb 4:16

Verse: James 1:12


Summary Sheet

Growing Through Temptation: _______________

____________________________



1. Desire - Jas 4:1

2. ________________________

3. ________________________

4. ________________________


1. ________________________

2. ________________________

3. ________________________

Verse: James 1:12

____________________________________________________________________________________


Summary Sheet

Growing Through Temptation: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good - God wants to grow the fruit HS in me!



1. Desire - Jas 4:1

2. Doubt - did God really say?

3. Deception - John 8:44

4. Disobedience - James 1: 14-16


1. Refuse to be intimidated - Psalm 121

2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it - where, when?

3. Request God’s Help - do I really want help? Heb 4:16

Verse: James 1:12


DEFEATING TEMPTATION


2 TIM. 2:22 FLEE THE EVIL DESIRES OF YOUTH, AND

PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE AND PEACE, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO

CALL ON THE LORD OUT OF A PURE HEART.


1 Cor 10:13No 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.


THERE IS ALWAYS

A WAY OUT


There is always a way out - God has promised not to allow more than you can handle.But there is a biblical pattern for defeating temptation.


REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING ELSE

The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation - but you should resist the devil! They are two differing things.James 4:7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the wrong thing and strengthens it.

The Bible does not tell you to resist

temptation


REFOCUS YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING ELSE

The Bible does not tell you to resist temptation - but you should resist the devil! They are two differing things.James 4:7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Resisting a thought only intensifies focus on the wrong thing and strengthens it.


Warren says blocking a thought out of your mind is simply a way of driving it deeper into your memory - so resisting it is simply reinforcing it. In effect you strengthen it every time you think of it.The battle against sin is won or lost in your mindTemptation usually begins with a thought - so the best way to neutralise it is by turning your mind elsewhere.This is the first step in defeating temptation.


Warren says blocking a thought out of your mind is simply a way of driving it deeper into your memory - so resisting it is simply reinforcing it. In effect you strengthen it every time you think of it.The battle against sin is won or lost in your mindTemptation usually begins with a thought - so the best way to neutralise it is by turning your mind elsewhere.This is the first step in defeating temptation.

Ps 119:37 - Turn my eyes away from worthless things; Job 31:1 -

Watch people yawn and...?Watch an advert for food and...?

Suggestion is powerful!

Temptation captures your attention - then arouses your emotion - which activates your behaviour - and so you act on what you feel.

Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it - your mind is on something else so it loses power.


This might mean physical action - leaving a room.Spiritually your mind is most open to temptation - so fill it with God’s wordRom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.


This might mean physical action - leaving a room.Spiritually your mind is most open to temptation - so fill it with God’s wordRom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

2 Tim 2:8, Php 4:8Serious temptation resisters manage their mind and media intake.Prov 4:23 TEV 2 Cor 10:5Practice - and ask the HS to help you - then there is a chance of survival or even overcoming.


REVEAL YOUR STRUGGLE TO A GODLY FRIEND OR SUPPORT GROUP

Ecc 4:9-10Do not tell everyone, just someone.If it is a persistent sin, bad habit etc. you will not master it alone - you need other people to help you. This person can pray, encourage and hold you accountable.James 5:16 -Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.


Warren suggests that if you want to be free of sin or habits - confess it, reveal it. Hiding intensifies the situation, bringing it into the light makes it shrink.Satan wants you to think your problems and temptations are unique - but all have sinned and all need setting free.Pride is what stops us dealing with these things.


Warren suggests that if you want to be free of sin or habits - confess it, reveal it. Hiding intensifies the situation, bringing it into the light makes it shrink.Satan wants you to think your problems and temptations are unique - but all have sinned and all need setting free.Pride is what stops us dealing with these things.

What are you pretending isn’t a problem in your life?What are you afraid to talk about?It is humbling to admit our weaknesses to others - but remember, But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.


RESIST THE DEVIL

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.We have to fight back - the NT uses the image of battle, words like conquer, strive, fight, overcome.How do we do this?


Eph. 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.Accept God’s salvation - say yes to Christ and you can say no to the devil.Use the WOG as your weapon against satan - consider how Jesus did this, Luke 4:1ffThe devil is better at arguing than you are - logic and opinion mean nothing to him, only the WOG is effective.


REALISE YOUR VULNERABILITY

Don’t get too clever - remember you are in God’s strength, not your own.Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?In the right situation any of us is capable of sin - keep your guard up at all times


Prov 14:16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!(TM) Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.


Key Point:

There is always a way out.

Key Question:

Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?


Essential discipleship 5

Spiritual

Transcript of Essential discipleship 5