Part 6: Good News/Bad News About Temptations!

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it (“to provide you with a way out”).

[1] We overcome temptations by — knowing the !

John 8:32 (NLT)

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

• It is not a sin to be tempted!

Hebrews 4:15 (CEV)
Jesus was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!

Luke 4:1-2 (NLT)

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where he was tempted by the devil for forty days.

• God tests us to develop us, Satan tempts us to destroy us!

James 1:2-4 (GW)
My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. ³ You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete…

James 1:13 (NLT)
When you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

James 1:14-15 (NLT)
Temptation comes from our … desires, which entice us and drag us away. ¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

• Temptations are personalized enticements!

When am I most tempted?

Where am I when I’m most tempted?

Who’s with me when I’m most tempted, or am I alone?

What am I feeling when I’m most vulnerable to temptations?

What feeds my ego?

[2] We overcome temptations by – trusting God’s !

• God promises to limit the of temptations!

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
… God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit;

Job 1:12 (GW)
The LORD told Satan, “Everything he has is in your power, but you must not lay a hand on him!”

• God promises a of every temptation!

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
… God will never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it (“to provide you with a way out”).

1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Cor. 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:10-11; James 4:7; Matt. 26:41; Gal. 5:16

[3] We overcome temptations by – up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9,12 (NLT)

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

. . . ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT)
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.