Pastor Jann Braaksma
Last week we spoke of sin. What it is, the penalty for it, and our escape from it. Today we will discuss temptation.
Let’s hear the Wesley Core term – Temptation (page1166)
Matthew 4:1-11 deals with a singular instance of temptation; few will ever be tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread.
But John Wesley knew that temptation more often comes to us in subtle ways. Our bodies are frail and subject to pain, which inevitably brings temptation.
The human environment in which we dwell is also a wellspring of temptation, and our character is constantly being formed and reformed by the influences, both moral and immoral, around us.
Sadly, believers who fall short of perfect love are also a source of temptation, for they are still in the grip of inward sin. Their pride, jealousy, and other “unholy tempers” can provoke the same tempers in others.
Even those perfected in love fall short in many ways and can unknowingly evoke anger and bitterness in others. As a result, to be a disciple is to live in the shadow of temptation, hoping only in God’ grace to preserve us.
From the book, “God’s Great Salvation” by Wesley Duewel, we will look at the steps in yielding to temptation, three avenues of temptation and some questions regarding the fall and temptation.
First let us hear Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.
Eve took four steps in yielding to temptation. The same basic steps are taken again and again when people yield to Satan’s temptation to sin. Every yielding to temptation is a sin against God and a victory for Satan.
1) Mental consideration. Eve should have instantly cast aside Satan’s suggestion since it was contrary to God’s expressed will. She should have remembered who God is and His goodness to her.
Instead, she paused to consider it. She accepted the possibility that her reason might be more helpful than God’s will. She began to weigh in her mind and think over what Satan had said.
We can never avoid thoughts of evil coming to our mind, but we do not need to entertain and consider them. By God’s help we can instantly reject any thought of evil as soon as it comes.
If we do that, we will never be overcome by temptation and will never fall into Satan’s suggested sin and thus become guilty. It is never safe to converse with the devil.
2) Doubt. A wholesome question is not sinful in itself. God is willing to answer sincere questions when our faith needs evidence.
The doubt that leads to sin is the doubt that questions the validity or truth of what God has commanded. It is the first logical step after listening to Satan that can lead to the act of sin.
It is questioning the wisdom, justice, love, faithfulness, or power of God. This is the kind of doubt that Eve yielded to.
It is the kind of doubt which leads to sin today. It is a form of unbelief that is the great sin of which the Holy Spirit convicts the world (John 16:9).
Do you remember what the father of the demon possessed boy said after Jesus said, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.”?
Yes!! “Immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
And for that honesty what did he receive? Yes, his son’s healing.
All forms of unbelief are a dishonor to God and are a step to disobedience.
3) Desire. Satan leads from doubt to desire. He tries to make the sinful object or action seem attractive, rewarding, and desirable. Every sin is the result of yielding to some kind of wrong desire.
James 1:14-15 says; “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.”
Remind me again, the wages of sin is (death). (Romans 6:23)
Often innocent desire is changed into evil desire through a wrong motive. The desire for good, beautiful fruit was not wrong in itself, but when desire became the hope that it would make them “like God,” it became evil. Even the desire for spiritual power can become a deadly sin when it springs from carnal ambition, pride, or some other sinful motive (Acts 8:18-23)
4) Consent. Sin only becomes sin through the consent of the will. The first step to consent is doubt. The second is desire. But the crucial, decisive step is the consent of the will.
That is what brings guilt, even if the circumstances do not permit the actual act.
In Matthew 5:28 – Jesus says; everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Once the will consents, the person is already guilty in God’s sight.
The social consequences of sin are not as great if the act is not committed, but the person is already guilty in heaven’s records—guilty of a sin of the heart.
All temptations come to human beings through one of three ways; the cravings of the sinful person, the lust of the eyes, or the boasting of what they have and do.
These three together constitute “the world”. This term “the world” is a summary term for all that is contrary to the will of God.
We are forbidden to love the world or anything of the character of the world. We are not to conform to the pattern of the world or live by the standards of this world.
The cravings of the sinful person refer to the cravings of the carnal ego, the self-first mentality, the self-sufficient independence from God, and the lust of the flesh—including sinful physical and sexual desire.
The lust of the eyes refers to the desire for visible splendor and show, the desire to accumulate material things, coveting, and greed in all its forms.
The boasting of what one has and does refers to the pride of life, self-display in an ostentatious way of life, empty bragging, and all proud boasting.
You might ask why God allows temptation. To say that God permits temptation is not to state that God ordained, decreed, or compelled yielding to temptation.
1 Corinthians 9:13 says – No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the say out so that you may be able to endure it.
No temptation is irresistible. God did not compel, encourage, or desire the fall into sin. Neither did God consent to Adam and Eve’s yielding to temptation.
God had created them with power of choice and did not forcibly prevent Satan from tempting them or their using their power of choice.
God permitted the temptation because He permitted human beings to be free. Freedom of will is the most Godlike aspect of human personality, of the natural image of God in human beings.
Temptation, when resisted and overcome, becomes a means of strengthening and growth of character and ethical holiness, of spiritual growth and blessing, of ever-deepening communion with God, and makes possible God’s bestowal of reward.
God did not wish human beings to fall, but God made full provision to reclaim from the Fall all who accept His gracious provision. His is redemption of grace and glory.
Please permit me a slight variation on Romans 5:3-5 –
“We boast in our temptations, knowing that temptation produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Remember, mental consideration, doubt, desire and consent are brought to us through cravings, lust of the eye and boasting. God is greater and will provide a way out if we seek it.
Don’t debate with Satan, don’t doubt God, keep your desires pure and don’t consent to sin.
I close today with James 1:12-16 –
“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one.
But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured, and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved.”
Let us pray.
Resources: God’s Great Salvation by Wesley Duewel; The Wesley Study Bible; Life Application Study Bible.
Parts for Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman,
“Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent,
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman,
“You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.
James 1:14-15
“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.”
1 Corinthians 9:13
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the say out so that you may be able to endure it.