Introduction:

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell (anonymous). How do you succeed? How can we have victory in Jesus? Do we ever have days we feel defeated? Depleted? Dejected? Today, we will talk about victory over temptation. How can that be accomplished.

I. The Antidote to Temptation

A.       Scripture is not one of the possible antidotes to it – it is the only effective antidote.

1.          Heb. 4:12 - God’s word is alive – it is God’s energetic power to transform.

2.         When it comes to purifying ourselves, God’s word is our most potent weapon.

B.        1 Peter 5:8. There is a very real world of evil. There is a very real devil. His name is Satan. He has made it his mission to destroy you.

C.        Mt. 4:1-10. Jesus faced temptation head-on. Firsthand account on how to win.

1.          4:3-4 – father-son relationship tested.

2.         4:5-7 – Satan appeals to personal popularity.

3.          4:8-10 – Satan seeks to destroy God’s plan for Jesus

4.         Note with each temptation – Jesus answers with scripture.

D.       Everytime you are tempted, it is an opportunity for God to lead you past the obstacle and further into personal transformation.

1.          When you find yourself in doubt about temptation, ask:

a)        Will my choice honor God?

b)        Will I be proud of my choice?

II.    Temptation is a battle against Self Control.

A.       Mt. 4:10. Look over again.

1.          Refused to give into Satan’s request because He knew it would not stop there.

B.        As we face temptation, we have absolute truth on our side.

1.          But….Satan does like to bring doubt on absolute truth of God’s word…

2.         Bottom line: Satan wants you to deny that God is God and make choices based on emotion.

C.        Look back to Jesus. What was His priority? The Truth of God’s word

1.          What verse/passage do you depend on in times of temptation?

2.         If God’s word is to be used as a defense – we have to know it.

D.       Mt. 4:11 – Victory! Satan left. The angels came.

1.          In the moment, temptation appears to fill a need. But in the end, it leads to guilt & shame.

2.         When you say no to temptation, walk away strengthened – you are filled with joy. This is the opposite of guilt & shame.

3.          Each time you give into temptation, giving in gets easier.

4.         Each time you resist temptation, you get stronger.

E.        God is in the process of transforming you into the image of Christ. (Rom. 12:1-2).

 

Conclusion:

A.       Today, we have talked about knowing God’s word.  Do you know God?