Resist Temptation

Sermon Notes

Temptation is when we are ENTICED to act against to God's will.

 We don't have to yield to TEMPTATION unless we choose to.

[Matthew 4:1-4] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. [2] For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. [3] During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." [4] But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'‘‘

We are often tempted by the things we CRAVE.

[Matthew 4:5-7] Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, [6] and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'" [7] Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD your God.'" 

Pursuing PRIDE always leads to DESTRUCTION.

[Matthew 4:8-11] Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." [10] "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'" [11] Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

The pursuit of POWER will often bring CORRUPTION.

[Hebrews 4:14-15 NIV] Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

Temptation may look GOOD but it is a TRAP.

[James 4:7 NIV] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jesus fought temptation with the SWORD of the SPIRIT.

[Psalm 119:11] I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

The Word of God can break any BONDAGE.

[1 Corinthians 10:13] The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Temptation is only a QUESTION, you provide the answer.