Saying “No” to temptation. In this message, Pastor Tim Martin shares how to resist and stand firm against temptation.
Temptation is the state of being tempted especially to evil. (Dictionary)
James 1-12-15.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Genesis 3:1-3
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?..”
Genesis 3:4-6 – Humankind gives into temptation in the garden.
2 Samuel 11:3-5 – David gives into temptation.
Matthew 4:1-4
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “
…
“10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Jesus said “No” to the temptations.
Tim found alcohol as a crutch to deal with pain of losing his father.
Tim ended up in a church on a Sunday morning thinking “I need to get my life right”. “I’ll give you everything.”
He surrendered everything to God.
Tim asked God to take the taste of alcohol from him. And, Tim has not tasted alcohol since then, 24 years ago.
When you learn to say “No” to temptations you will not be able to contain God’s blessing.
Giving into temptation takes you off the route in which God has prepared blessing after blessing for you.
“When I said no to alcohol 24 years ago, I don’t have to re-choose every time I’m tempted.” – Tim Martin
Ephesians 6:10-18 “… Be strong in the Lord… Put on the whole armor of God…”
You are going to face temptations.
How to prevent falling into temptation again and again?
Make your choice.
Daily put on the whole armor of God.
Are you falling book, line, and sinker into temptation?