Download - Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life: Section 26

Growing Through Temptation

Section 26 Page 201-208

Sunday 31 October 2010

Every temptation is an opportunity to do

good


James 1:12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test, he will

receive the crown of life that God has promised to

those who love him.Sunday 31 October 2010

Temptation is a stepping stone to spiritual maturity not a stumbling block - an opportunity to do right not wrong - choose right and you grow in character.

Warren does this by suggesting you identify the character qualities of Jesus - the fruit of the Spirit - and knowing Jesus is each of these perfectly


How does the HS produce these in your life? Slowly


“God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by

allowing you to experience circumstances in which you’re tempted

to express the exact opposite quality”Warren, page 202


We learn love as God puts unlovely people around us - loving lovely people is easy!

We learn real joy in the midst of sorrow - happiness depends on external circumstances, joy depends on your relationship with God.


Peace comes through times of confusion and chaos - choosing God when we are afraid

You can’t claim to be good if you’ve never had the opportunity to be unfaithful - integrity is built by defeating the opportunity to be dishonest, humility by refusing pride etc.

Each time you defeat a temptation you become more like Jesus


How Temptation Works

Satan is entirely predictable - he has used the same strategy and tricks for all of creation.

2 Cor 2:11 TM After all, we don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we're not oblivious to his sly ways!


Step 1 - a desire is created in you, sinful (revenge, control etc.) or legitimate (need for love etc.)

The temptation is to fulfill either of these in a sinful way - a wrong way or at the wrong time - a shortcut which you might think you deserve, or will make you feel better.

This begins within us.


Mark 7:21-23 - For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

James 4:1 - What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?


Step 2 - doubt, about what God has sad about the sin.

“Did God really say...surely God wants me to be happy...doesn’t this apply to someone else at some other time...”

Heb 3:12 So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.


Step 3 - deception, satan does not tell the truth but replaces what god has said with lies or half truths - no one will know, it is only a little sin...

John 8: 44 You belong to your father, the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.


Step 4 - disobedience, you act on what you have been thinking about, you give in - the thought is birthed into action

James 1:14-16 each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.


Overcoming Temptation

It is not enough to understand temptation - you have to overcome it


1. Refuse to be IntimidatedMany Christians are frightened and demoralised by tempting thoughts - feeling ashamed for being tempted - you will not outgrow temptation, it is part of a fallen world

Satan does not tempt those already doing his will but he hates those who are not - temptation is a good sign in this sense


It is not a sin to be tempted

“You cannot stop birds form flying over your head but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair” Martin Luther


What is the difference between physical attraction, sexual arousal, and lust? The first two are part of our image of God make up - the latter a choice in your mind of what you want to do with your body. Attraction is not lust until you choose to act on it.The closer you grow to God the more satan hates you - and will try to bring you down.


Sometimes when you pray a strange or evil thought might enter your mind - to distract or shame you - it is satan trying to stop your prayers - don’t condemn yourself but refocus on God


2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Plan wisely - make good choices

Where are you most vulnerable to temptation?

Time of day, location, people, tired, lonely, stressed, self

pitying, angry, hurt, successful


2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Plan wisely - make good choices


Eph 4:26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

Prov. 4:26-27 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Prov. 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life


3. Request God’s help

Psalm 50:15

and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.


Many Biblical characters prayed this simple prayer. And remember God does understand;

Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.


God wants to help you defeat temptation - do you want to be helped?Are you embarrassed to ask for help with the same repeating temptation? God is patient and understanding - don’t you think he would rather you ask for help than be defeated?God is eager to be gracious and merciful.


Ask God for help, for power to do the right thing - and expect him to help.Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Temptations throw us back on Jesus


Point to ponder

Every temptation is an opportunity to do good


Verse to Remember:James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.


Question to Consider:

What christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?


Download - Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life: Section 26

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