Overcoming Temptation (Part 5).

Know the Word of God.

It is interesting to see the arguments Christ used to combat Satan. All of them were from God’s Word. Interestingly enough, all three of them were from the book of Deuteronomy (8:3; 6:16; 6:13). Even when Satan tried to say the angels would catch Christ, twisting Psalm 91:11, Christ corrected the error by using God’s Word. How imperative it is for Christians to know God’s Word!

What if a Christians were in the position of Christ and facing this temptation? Would the conversation go something like this? “Well, I understand that it would be wrong for me to commit this action. God does not want me to commit this action. I cannot remember where in the Bible it states this but I know I should not it. Wait. He’s using the Bible to tell me this is an okay thing to do. If he’s using the Bible to prove his point, he has to be right. Right?” Sadly, there are many individuals who are being led astray by individuals who say, “God says it is alright.” How can we combat this? Study or be destroyed for lack of knowledge (2 Tim. 2:15; Hos. 4:6).

Stand Firm.

Satan did not give up so easily on Christ after the first go. One can refer back to the harlot who tempted the young man in Proverbs 7. Temptation is persistent in how it comes at man. It took three times for Satan to leave Christ alone. What about the Christian? Ever heard of a thing called “peer pressure”? “Oh, that is what teenagers face on a daily basis at school right?” Yes and no.

Dear teenager, you will face peer pressure while you are in high school. Sadly, some of you may have faced it in middle school or earlier. Your classmates may make the statement, “If you want to be accepted by us…”, and you can fill in the blanks. You have to be willing to stand firm in your convictions because choosing to do the right thing is difficult but doable (1 John 5:3). You may be ridiculed for your actions. You may be thinking, “Hey, at least I have to put up with it for a few years and then it ends when college begins right?”

Sadly, it does not. You may begin to experience more pressure from your classmates to party and live it up while in school. You may even experience pressure from one or more of your instructors. In the past, college professors have told their students the only way to pass a class would be to give up Christianity. “At least it ends when I end up getting a job after college, right?” No, it does not. Some jobs will require you to give up your Christians ethics in the name of a profit or force you to be “one of the boys” to get ahead. “At least I will not experience it within the congregation, right?” Lord willing, you will not. Sadly, there are individuals who may pressure you or the leadership to go beyond God’s Word. In our lifetimes, we must be willing to stand firm because this “pressure” does not cease at one point in time.

Thankfully, God has given the Christian a way to stand firm. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). You have the offensive and defensive capabilities to withstand whatever comes your way.

Overcoming Temptation (Part 4).

If temptation is coming one should know how to fight it. How can we fight it? It’s best to look at an example of one who was able to fight temptation. What better example do we have than that of Christ? He was able to fight temptation without ever committing a sin (Heb. 4:15). Well, where in the Bible can one turn to see this example in action? Take the time to find in Matt. 4:1-11 and read over it. Within this text, the Christ is tempted on three separate occasions by Satan. In all three instances, Christ succeeds in fighting the temptation.

Know What Your Answer Will Be.

If knows that temptation is coming but does not know when, would it not be important to already know his answer when it finally appears? For instance, look to a few other examples found within the pages of the Bible. After Joseph was made head over Potiphar’s household, it seems that Potiphar wasn’t the only one taking notice of Joseph. She makes a proposition to Joseph. “Lie with me” (Gen. 39:7). The Christian should be thankful for the first three words in the next verse. It does not state, “Joseph weighed the pros and cons…” “Joseph asked for time to decide…” Moses wrote, “But he refused…” Joseph understood this would be an act of betrayal against Potiphar and God.

There was no hesitation on the part of Christ. “Make these stones into bread.” This would have been an act of selfishness on the part of Christ. He declined. “Throw yourself off the temple. The angels will surely save you.” It would be an act of unbelief by the Christ.” Again, he said no. “You’re not the Son of God. Bow down before me and I will make you ruler over all.” Christ would have been taking the quick and easy route to kingship, rather than being our Suffering Savior. He had a ready answer for every temptation Satan threw His way.

Christians need to follow the example left for us by the Christ. What answer are we ready to give? Will it be an explanation of why the act is sin? Will it be a short statement of how the action never leads to good? Will it be a simple, “No”? Will the answer be known ahead of time? A ready answer will help one fight temptation.

Overcoming Temptation (Part 3)

Temptation will “Flaunt Prettiness.”

There is a fact which we all must face. Temptation is not temptation unless it tempts us to do something we would enjoy. While speaking of Moses Paul wrote: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25). Temptation leads to sin, which is an act many find enjoyment in committing (2 Thess. 2:12). The sin which Eve committed in the garden was committed because of this fact. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6). Temptation will use things which are pleasant to our senses.

Verse 10 speaks of the woman as being dressed like a harlot. While we do not know how she was dressed, there are some logical statements we can make. She would have been dressed in a way that would have accentuated her finer points. She may have had her face painted or had a veil covering her face as did Tamar when she played the harlot (Genesis 38:14).  We are not told how much or how little she was wearing at the time but we do know this. She was dressed like a harlot in order to be pleasing to the eyes. Had she not been beautiful to the young man flattery would not have gotten her anywhere. Her looks attacked the sense of sight. Her words attacked the sense of hearing.

She speaks to the young man by saying: “I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.” (Proverbs 7:16-18). She speaks of those things which would accentuate her home. Her bed would be filled with bright, colorful tapestries and her bedposts, probably made of cedar, would have beautiful carvings. Again, this would attack the senses. Linen from Egypt was said to be some of the softest in any land. This would hone in on the sense of touch. Her room would be very comfortable and a beauty to behold. She also takes the time to attack the young man’s sense of smell. Myrrh was a gum-resin drop of varying colors and sizes. It was well known for its strong but pleasant odor. Most know of the pleasing smells given off by cinnamon and aloe. In a way the sense of taste is attacked in the phrase, “let us take our fill of love until the morning.” When you take your fill of something, it enters in through the mouth. She tempts this young man by attacking his senses.

Temptation will use that which is pleasing or pretty. It may be the way something tastes or possibly the odor that it gives. Some enjoy a certain act because of the overall feel it gives the body. There is one important thing which those who do these things must remember. These actions will only be committed for a “season” or short period of time. The punishment that goes with these actions will last an eternity.

Temptation Gives the Idea of Wanting Privacy

“For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.” (Proverbs 7:19-20). The “goodman” is her husband and he is not going to be home any time soon. Why? He’s gone on a long journey and she knows how long he will be gone. He’s taken a certain amount of money with him and she knows his habits. She knows how he spends his money. She knows how long he will be gone and he shall not come home a moment sooner. The young man and this harlot will be able to commit the act of adultery in privacy. Adultery has always been a serious offense in the eyes of God. While living in the days of the Patriarchs, Job called it a “heinous crime” (Job 31:1-11). The penalty in the days of Moses was that of death by stoning. Jesus said that it was the reason a person could get a legal divorce in the eyes of God (Matthew 19:9). It is a crime which God forbids and the young man was tempted to do it when the Harlot told him, “We will not get caught.”

What makes it easier to commit certain sins? The idea of privacy makes it so easy. People look to the left, right, down, around the corner, over the shoulder, and in every direction in hopes of not being caught. Is there a security camera watching if I take this product from a store? Would anyone see my actions? Is there anyone around? Often, man does not want to be seen committing these actions but each must ask an important question. “Am I really committing these acts in private?” “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3). Even God said, “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24). This was concerning the prophets who prophesied lies in God’s name and said, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed” but only spoke the vision of his own heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16, 25). God asked the rhetorical question, “Am I a God who only sees those things which are near Me or am I a God that sees all? Can anything hide from me?” The Psalmist gives us an appropriate, “No” (Psalm 139). We may think that these things are private but they are not at all.

Here's another thought to add. The events spoken by Solomon occurred "In the twilight, in the evening,
in the black and dark night" (Prov. 7:9). The two thought the events would go unnoticed at night. Solomon noticed it all from his window (v.  6). Our friends, neighbors, even our children may see things we do not want them to see. Those actions we think are in "private."

Overcoming Temptation (Part 2)

TEMPTATION'S PLAN OF ATTACK

Temptation is going to come to every living, breathing human being (James 1:14). Like all things of a destructive nature, it is going to attack mankind in some way or another. Now, it will not attack the same way every time but will use a different angle to try and slip in and ultimately cause creation to commit sin. What is this plan of attack and where in the Bible does one find an example of it? The best example of this is found in Proverbs 7. It is in this chapter that Solomon gives a warning to his son concerning “the strange woman” (v. 5). Solomon tells of a harlot who seduces a young man. “For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.” (Proverbs 7:6-10). This harlot and temptation work in very similar ways. If one works to understand the plan of attack this harlot used, one can understand how temptation works to attack man.

Temptation uses “Daunting Persistence.”

“(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)” (Proverbs 7:11-12). Solomon first speaks of her as one whose “feet abide not in her house.” One fact that will be noticed more in depth is that this is a married woman. There are certain duties that every married woman has to her home (as does the husband) but this woman is not performing these actions. She is “without” or outside of her home. She is standing outside of her home, seeking someone whom she can attract into her home. What is there is no one within the vicinity of her home? She takes to the streets. She finally sets herself at the corner of the street where she can be readily seen from any direction. Also, notice that this is not something she spent a small amount of time doing. This was an action performed “in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.” From morning to night, she’s been busy looking for someone.

Do we read of any entity who is busily seeking for someone whom he can devour? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8). Even as he stood before God, Satan made it known that he was busy. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (Job 1:7). Does he know what tempts us? Absolutely. Does he know how to present temptation to us? It’s a job he’s been good at since the beginning. He’s persistent in his attack.

During this search, she finally finds someone. “Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” (Proverbs 7:15). Has she been diligent? Yes, although she was not merely seeking after this young man alone but for any lover whom she could entice. Her speech is but one of the ways that the harlot will attack. She’s persistent and when she’s attracted someone, she will use different methods to draw that one into her home. Once temptation has our temptation, it is going to use a variety as well.

Temptation uses “Taunting Pride.”

When giving his warning at the beginning of the chapter Solomon is seeking to keep his son from “from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” (Proverbs 7:5). Notice, she flatters with her words. An easy definition of flattery is “insincere praise.” Therefore, if you hear the saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” you are being told “Imitation is the sincerest form of insincere praise.” This harlot is going to use many sayings and will not mean any of them. She has told the young man, “I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” (Proverbs 7:15). She speaks to him as if he is the only man on earth whom she was destined to meet.

What does this type of speech automatically do? This type of speech is used to lower the defenses of an individual. The ego is enlarged and one is filled with a sense of self grandeur. In Alabama this is called “the bighead.” When one is under this condition, it is real easy to make a bad decision. Remember, this woman is married and when she drops that bombshell it does not faze the young man.

Cheap words also work by telling of the (and this term is used as loosely as possible) “good” involved in an action. She is going to tell him about her beautiful room, the enjoyment of the act, and all the “good” which will occur. She never once speaks of the evil behind these actions. Can we compare this to something in our modern age? Imagine a nightclub. Bright, colorful lights are moving in rhythm to a popular song. People are dancing together and noticing a certain group standing at the bar. This group is laughing and enjoying themselves. Everyone wants to be part of this group. The commercial ends with a popular alcoholic beverage.

What pictures are projected? Do you want to be beautiful, popular, and the life of the party? Drink this beverage. Life is a party and you will be the center of it with our help. You never see the sad reality. In 2003, it was estimated that over 140 million people were alcoholics. It is not 2010. The number has grown since then. Solomon said it best when he said, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1). He never said that a little or a lot of wine is a deceptive mocker. Quantity is never mentioned which logically tells us that alcohol is a mocker in any quantity.

Overcoming Temptation (Part 1)

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love books. I enjoy reading, studying, and generally learning new things. I am also a lover of books mostly because of I love the feel of a book in my hands. If one saw the bookshelves in my room, one would notice that books are stacked upon each. Considering my love of books, it is somewhat of a no-brainer that I would enjoy spending time in the library of the Memphis School of Preaching while I was a student. In the school’s library was a section which I termed “The Free Book Rack.” It was, as the name implies, a section which supplied free books, tracts, and magazines for any student to take for free. It was also at this section that I found a scrap of paper which I have not forgotten. While flipping through one of the books, a small fragment fell to the floor. Upon inspection, it was found not to be from the book but an old newspaper. It was a section of the Montgomery Advertiser, a newspaper in Alabama, which is very similar to what one would find in a TV Guide. It was not the listing of old television shows which peaked my interest but what was written in pencil on this scrap.

“The only difference between opportunity and temptation is that opportunity knocks but temptation lets itself in.”

Think about that for a moment. Opportunity comes to our preverbal door and gives man the opportunity to accept or deny it. On the other hand temptation can be compared to the bad house guest. You want it out but it is quite content to stay past the time it takes for a fish to begin to smell. Temptation is something which is ever present in the lives of all mankind. How do we rid ourselves of it? This was my topic at the Oceanside church of Christ VBS. How do we overcome temptation when it comes our way? Over the next few days we will cover three points of interest in overcoming temptation. BASICS In order to overcome temptation, it is important one has a basic understanding of temptation. If one has a misunderstanding of these things that one will have problems in the initial overcoming.

The first thing one must understand is from whence all temptation comes. It is of the utmost importance one understands that God is not the source of temptation. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). Generally speaking mankind has a problem with assuming responsibility. The mindset of society seems to be as follows. An individual realizes that he has a problem. This problem could be involved with alcohol, smoking, fornication, or something of that nature. Obviously, something is to be blamed for committing this action but it cannot be the fault of the one who committed it. Parents, siblings, and others are blamed. Some even place the blame on God citing, “God made me this way, therefore I cannot help but commit this action.” James said, “Do not EVER say this.” Why is it that God will not tempt me with evil? God hates sin and the death of the sinner. “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32). Ezekiel 18 is the perfect study concerning free will and responsibility for sin. The children of Israel wanted to place the blame on their parents. “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?” Our parents committed sin and yet we’re facing punishment. God, using the example of three generations of a family, set forth the truth that the sins a man commits are the only ones which will damn him in the end. God then tells the people that He finds no pleasure in the death of the sinner and asks the people to turn back to Him. Furthermore, one would notice that God is pure and holy and expects His creation to be as such (1 Peter 1:16).

If God does not tempt us, from whence does temptation come? “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:14). The source of temptation is found within man. The first five words of this verse allows us to know that all mankind faces temptation and the phrase “his own lust” shows that temptation is found within. In fact, the word lust means that a man has his affections set on something. That something is that which is enticing him. It is also important to note that temptation in and out of itself is not sin.

Speaking of the Christ, the writer of Hebrews stated: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus faced the same type of temptation that all mankind has faced BUT was without sin. If temptation was sin, Jesus could not have been the perfect sacrifice for all mankind. It is not temptation that is sin. It is the decision to yield to that temptation. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15). Temptation is the first step which leads to sin. It must conceive before sin occurs. Also, in this verse we notice another reason why God will not tempt man to commit sin. Living in sin results in spiritual death. Why would God, who finds no joy in sin or the death of the one who commits it, tempt someone to commit an act which does just that?

James follows these statements by saying, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:16). Do not make the mistake of saying that God is tempting you. Do not allow yourself to be fooled into thinking that. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). These are just a few basic items one should know concerning temptation. Shortly, we will discuss Temptations Plan of Attack.

What is Your Spiritual Health?

(Quick note: While this is an older TotW from time past I could not find it on the blog. Since I am currently sick I figure it would be appropriate to post. Enjoy!)

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:3). Within the opening statements of the letter written to “wellbeloved Gaius” by the apostle John, the state of Gaius’ health is addressed. He was not in the best condition physically as John wished that Gaius was a healthy physically as he was spiritually. If our physical health was the same as our spiritual health, how healthy would we be? Would we prosper in health, even as our souls prosper? Would be we sickly state but able to recover as Laodicea? (Revelation 3:17, 19). Would we be on our deathbed with a small glimmer of hope as Sardis? What is your spiritual health? If we are not as healthy as we should, may we partake of the proper spiritual diet and exercise to grow stronger in the faith.