God Will Help When We Are Tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Introduction:
1. Thanksgiving is a good time for us to be reminded that God provides "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). 2. In our lesson we are studying one of these special blessings that is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- "God will help when we are tempted."
Discussion:
I. IN MATTHEW 26:41 JESUS SHOWED WHY WE NEED GOD'S HELP WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED
A. Jesus told His followers to "watch and pray" so they would not "enter into temptation." B. Jesus also revealed why: "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
II. TO HELP US, GOD HAS GIVEN SOME USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS IN JAMES 1:13-15
A. God helps us by identifying the source of temptation. 1. It is reassuring to know that God is not the source of temptation. a. (vs.13) God cannot be tempted with evil, and He does not tempt anyone. b. To prevent a possible misunderstanding, we must keep in mind that the Bible addresses 2 types of "temptation": 1) the trying of our faith (James 1:2-3) 2) an enticement to commit sin. c. This explains how God "tempted" Abraham (Genesis 22:1). d. God allows us to be tested, but He does not entice anyone to commit sin. e. Just the opposite is true (2 Peter 2:9 -- "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations"). f. If God is not the source of temptation, who is? 2. Satan is the source of temptation. a. (Matthew 4:1) Following His baptism, Jesus was led "into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." b. (Matthew 4:3) Satan is identified as "the tempter." c. Satan is also identified as our adversary (1 Peter 5:8). B. God helps us by showing how temptation works. 1. According to vs.14, we are tempted when we are lured away by our own desires and enticed (illustrated by what happened to Eve in Genesis 3:1-6). 2. This verse teaches that the temptation process is both "universal" [it relates to "every man"] as well as "personal" [it relates to our individual desires]. C. To avoid entering into temptation, we must stop it at this point (James 4:7-8a). D. God helps us by making us aware of the consequences of temptation. 1. Desire that is allowed to conceive will result in sin. 2. The final result of sin is "death" (Isaiah 59:2). E. This information presented in James 1:13-15 will help us in facing temptation.
III. GOD HELPS US WHEN WE PRACTICE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. "Prayer" will help us when we face temptation. 1. In His model prayer Jesus taught His followers to pray: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13). 2. We must depend upon prayer because "the flesh is weak." B. "Hiding God's Word in our hearts" will also help us (Psalm 119:11). 1. Jesus showed how this works when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11). 2. Jesus showed us how to face temptation successfully.
Conclusion:
1. Let us remember the special blessing mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- it certainly pertains to life and godliness. 2. The way we react to temptation will affect our behavior, and our behavior will influence others.
