Good Morning!

Opening Song:

Battle Belongs

Worship Together:

Egypt

Same God

Closing Song:

Gratitude

Been There: When The Urge Is Too Strong

Speaker: Tim Timmons

Temptation: Those moments—Areas of weakness—Can’t resist!
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When the Urge Is Too Strong

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:1-3

What is temptation?

“Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of your obedience to God.” -Tim Challies

The Process of Temptation

• Thought
• Imagination
• Justification
• Choice

Pre-Decide: One of the best ways to live a forward-looking, people-loving, God-glorifying life is to decide before what you will do later.

Volitional Will: The power of choosing or determining.

3 Truths About Temptation

1. It’s not a sin to be tempted.

Jesus understands every weakness of ours because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! Hebrews 4:15 CEV

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God … never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own 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. James 1:13-15 NLT

• God may test you, but he’ll never tempt you.

God tests you to promote you—Propel you forward. The devil tempts you to fail you—Pull you back.

2. You’re most vulnerable to temptation when you’re weak, and when you think you’re strong.

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:1-3

IT IS WRITTEN

Devil said, “turn stones to bread.” JESUS – “IT IS WRITTEN”

People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

**Throw yourself down from the mountain—JESUS – “IT IS WRITTEN” **

Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Bow down—Give you all the kingdoms of the world. JESUS – “Get away from me Satan!” “IT IS WRITTEN”

Worship the Lord your God and serve HIM only.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19

If temptation starts with a whisper, then it ends with one WORD from GOD.

1. It’s not a sin to be tempted.
2. You’re most vulnerable to temptation when you’re weak, and when you think you’re strong
3. God will always give you a way out.

13 … And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

• One of the best ways to resist temptation is to eliminate it.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. Proverbs 4:14-15

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NLT

IT IS WRITTEN IT IS FINISHED

“You may think you can live without GOD, but Calvary proves HE cannot live without you.” -Reinhard Boonke