Temptation: What does temptation mean? It means being enticed to do something you know is wrong, that you know you shouldn’t do. It means being enticed to do something you know you’re going to regret in the morning.
So, whether its food, alcohol, pornography, drugs, sex, lust, gossip, spending too much money, shopping, or whatever. Every one of us is in mortal combat with our own personal set of temptations each and every day.
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. New International Version
1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. New International Version
Matthew 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” New International Version
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” New International Version
Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. New International Version
Matthew 4:6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “’He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” New International Version
Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” New International Version
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. New International Version
Matthew 4:9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” New International Version
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. New International Version
Flee: Greek – Pheugo – to take flight, to shrink, stand fearfully aloof, to escape.
If you resist, he will desist and flee from you!
Let’s take a look at the incredible weapons God has given to us.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. New International Version
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. New International Version
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. New King James Version
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. New King James Version
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, New King James Version
We figure out areas in our life where we face our greatest temptation to sin.
· Then we memorize verses in the Bible that speak to those specific sins.
· When facing temptation, we quote those verses to the devil, the temptation, and ourselves
LUST: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 7 “It is God’s will that each of us should know how to control our body in a way that is holy and honorable… For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
FEAR: Isaiah 43:1-4 “Do not fear… When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned nor will the flames scorch you. For I am the Lord your God and you are precious in My sight.”
GOSSIP: Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building people up, that what you say may impart grace to others.”
LAZINESS: Colossians 3:23, 24 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as unto the Lord and not unto men – for it is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
SCHEMING: Luke 12:2, 3 “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops.”
SIN IN GENERAL: 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear at the judgment seat of Christ, that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done in our bodies, whether good or bad.”