The Bible says that God doesn’t tempt us to sin, yet Jesus prays that God would not lead us into temptation. Which one is it? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares things you need to know about temptation.
Let’s read it (NLT):
Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
American Standard Version: “And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Passion Translation: “Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil.”
Things to know about temptation:
1. God does not tempt us to sin.
James 1:13
2. Temptation is permitted for spiritual growth.
James 1:2-4
You will never be sinless, but you can learn to sin less. Tests show us what we’ve learned.
Matthew 4:1
3. You’re going to need God’s help overcoming temptation.
Matthew 26:41
1 Cor. 10:13
How do we overcome temptation?
1. Recognize sin for what it really is.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death”
Sin is a scam.
2. Understand how temptation works.
James 1:14-15
Every action starts with a thought. Your head gives permission to your hands. You aren’t responsible for having a thought, but you are responsible for what you do with it. Don’t just resist sin, rethink sin.
Genesis 3:1-6
The temptation progression: Desire, Doubt, Deception, Disobedience
Think about your thoughts!
3. Know yourself.
Know your sinful self.
Romans 8:6 “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Know your spiritual self.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Talk back to the temptation: “I don’t do that. I don’t need that to be happy. I don’t live there anymore.”
4. Weaponize the word.
Matthew 4:1-13: the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness
Find a passage in the Bible that addresses your temptation, memorize it and speak it
out loud when you are being tempted.
A Christian without knowledge of the Bible is like a car without gas in the tank.
5. Walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
To walk in the Spirit is to allow the inner promptings the Holy Spirit to determine what you
do. Changing your focus will bring you freedom. Whatever holds your attention has your affection.
Hebrews 12:1b-2a
Don’t focus on your behavior, focus on your savior.
When you pray do you ask God to help you overcome temptation?