Temptation

There is something alluring about the idea of temptation. It sounds like there is something on the other side of yielding to temptation that will usher us into pleasures we have not yet known but always wanted. Temptation has a fascination about it. It takes us on a flight of fantasy. It appears that it may be a new and exciting adventure that just might make us happy beyond our wildest dreams.

Unfortunately, choosing to follow that fascination is where the illusion ends. For those who have followed that dream found a nightmare quickly unfolding, one from which they could not awaken feeling relieved that it wasn’t true.

That is the problem with temptation. It is just so tempting. And some temptations are almost overpowering in their allure. All of us have probably considered situations that we thought would be beyond our power to resist. And there are people who yield to these temptations every day, many times to their ruin. Because of the power of temptation, people throw away their careers, their marriages and families, their health, and sometimes their very lives as well. You don’t have to go far to see it. Behind every tragedy of people choosing serious sinful behavior–– like adultery, embezzlement, corporate fraud, and even murder–– was first a temptation to do so. The temptation brought out the desires that were already there, and the deed was done. This is what we read in James 1:14-15: "…but 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."

So how can we deal with temptation? As Christians, is there a strategy that will enable us to rise above this enticement to sin? Or are we doomed to fall again and again over the same stuff? Let’s look at one of the most powerful statements in the entire Bible concerning temptation. It is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

What we find here will give us not only understanding, but also hope for victory over temptation in our lives. We will see the truth about temptation, the truth about God, and the truth about ourselves as we face temptation.

There is a mistaken idea that those who are truly spiritual do not suffer temptation. Somehow we think that it should be possible to get to a place of spiritual maturity that will insulate us from the powerful allure of temptation. Perhaps if we worked harder at our spiritual lives, or sacrificed more, or prayed more, or tried to be more holy, we would arrive at a place where temptation would no longer be tempting. That sounds great. I wish it were true. But it isn’t. The sad fact is that temptation is inevitable. You will be tempted. Count on it. None can escape it.

We know this, not only from personal experience, but also from Scripture. On the pages of the Bible we see the reality of temptation in the lives of all of God saints. All of the most powerful and spiritual servants of God were tempted, some even yielding to that temptation. King David is a prime example. He is described as a man after God’s own heart. But temptation came his way and overtook him. But he is not the best example of the indisputable reality that temptation comes to everyone, even spiritual people. That goes to Jesus himself. Jesus was tempted.

You simply don’t get any more spiritually mature than Jesus. Jesus was perfect and sinless in every respect. He lived his life in perfect communion with God, and yet the Scriptures teach us that he was tempted in every respect, even as we are tempted.

And these were real temptations. If Jesus was not exempt from temptation, we certainly should not expect to be, no matter how long we have served the Lord.

Temptation will come. We shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, we should expect it. Having this proper perspective concerning temptation will help us to handle it.

Not only is temptation inevitable, it is universal. It comes to all. No one is exempt. And you are not the only one who is experiencing a particular temptation. So often people think that their temptation is somehow unique. They think that no one has ever faced in this particular temptation in this particular way. But the Scripture teaches that temptation is common to man.

While all of us are unique individuals, we are nonetheless similar in many ways. The same kinds of passions and desires beset us all. In fact, we are so much alike, that the devil doesn’t have to work too hard or be too creative. The same kinds of temptations that worked 1000 years ago still work today. He may have to tweak them a little bit for each of us, but we still fall for the same old stuff.

So, you are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same kinds of temptations you are currently experiencing. You may say that that’s not very comforting, but it can be. You see, many of those people are finding victory over these temptations, the very ones you’re struggling with. They can be a wealth of encouragement to you, if you tap into their experience and wisdom. Don’t be discouraged and don’t despair.

We don’t need to despair because God is faithful. God is on our side in this fight against temptation. God is not the one tempting us. "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. (James 1:13, NIV)" He does not want us to fall. He wants us to stand against temptation and to choose to reject it.

But why does he allow it? This is much like asking why God allows evil to exist in the world. Why doesn’t God simply step in and keep anything difficult from happening to us? He doesn’t because to do so would be to rob us of the freedom he has given to us as human beings. Indeed, it is that freedom that sets us apart as human. Were that freedom removed, we would be nothing more than robots. But with human freedom comes the consequences of our actions, both good and bad.

A good illustration of this is the account of the Garden of Eden. God created a paradise in which he placed Adam and Eve. But he placed one restriction on their behavior. He told them that they could not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Why? Many people argue that had he not restricted them in any way they would not have sinned. But for them to be human and for their obedience to God to mean anything, they must have had the opportunity to disobey. Obedience is not obedience if it is coerced. Just as love is not true love unless it is freely given. This was the purpose in the prohibition.

So God set up a test of character because without a test of character there can be no character formed.

When trials come our way and we respond to them properly, it develops within us proven qualities of good character. The testing of our faith develops us into the mature men and women of God that God has called us to be.

God is faithful. He is not like us, faithful sometimes but not always. He is not like Satan, who seeks our destruction. We can rest assured that God is on our side and will be faithful to support us in our time of need.

Furthermore, God will protect you. He will not let temptation overwhelm you. Our text says that none of us will be tempted beyond what we can bear. Even though God will allow temptation to come, he will not allow Satan to bring more than you can handle.

If you’re looking for an illustration of this, perhaps there is none better than what happened to Job. Here was a man who endured tremendous loss and suffering. Everything he had was taken from him, including his health. When you read the account of Job, you are amazed at what he endured. Yet even in the case of Job, he was not given more than he could bear. He endured incredibly hard stuff, but it was not too much for him.

There are times when we are tempted to say, "I just can’t take it anymore." And indeed, we certainly feel that way. But the hard truth is that we can take it. God will simply not allow anything to come into our lives that is too difficult for us to bear. This is his promise of protection. God will protect you.

The protection of God also extends further. He will provide a way out, a way of escape when we are tempted. Whatever the temptation, there is always a way out. There is always a way of escape. There may be times when we don’t find that way out. Perhaps we are not looking for it. Perhaps we don’t want to find it. But it is always there.

So whenever you are tempted, look for the way of escape. Perhaps the only way of escape will be to turn and run. If that is the only way out, take it. There is no blessing in enduring prolonged temptation. We only increase our chances of yielding to it when we linger. Get away from it. Run if you have to. It may be your only way out. So take it.

Sometimes the best way out is found on the front end. Often, the easiest way to escape temptation is to stand of those circumstances where you’re tempted. You know those circumstances, don’t you? You have been there before. Don’t go there. I’m reminded of the story of the woman who came to her doctor and told him that she had broken her arm in two places. He responded by saying, "Well. Don’t go to those places!" Perhaps the best advice we can be given is to stay out of those places.

God has made a way out, but you must take it. You must stand strong. You see, if you fail to take the way out that God provides for you, it is entirely your fault. Don’t blame God! It is not his fault. He gave you the way out.

Our responsibility in facing temptation is to resist it. We must do our part which is to stand up against it. We have been given the power to say no to sin. This is what Jesus purchased for us in our redemption. Because of his death on the Cross, he has set us free from both the penalty of sin and the power of sin. The guilt and condemnation of sin have been removed. And the power of sin over us to enslave us has been broken. For the first time in our lives, we are free–– free to say no to sin and yes to God. We are no longer slaves to sin because of the Cross of Christ. Indeed, one day we will be delivered from even the presence of sin. But for now, we are still in its presence. We still have to deal with it.

But the point is that we have to deal with it. God has done his part, and now we must do ours. He has provided a way out, and we must take it. He has given us the power to resist the devil, and we must resist. We must purpose in our heart to be done with sin. We must make a decision that we will not even entertain temptation. That is generally where we get tripped up. As they used to say down South, "Son, if you hang around the creek bank long enough, sooner or later you’re gonna slide in." It really is good advice. Stay away, far away from the creek bank. Don’t see how close you can come to the line without crossing it. Stay is far away from sin as you possibly can. Don’t even entertain it. That’s the way to avoid yielding to temptation.

Copyright © 2003 J. David Hoke. This data file is the sole property of the copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright notice.

Except for the use mentioned above, this data file may not be copied (except for small quotations used with citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, or made available on the Internet without the written permission of the copyright holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and e-mailed to J. David Hoke, at David@JDavidHoke.com.

Return to Sermon Page

Return to Homepage