Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Temptation

Every once in awhile, I get to choose a topic for my men's bible study group to discuss on Friday morning. This is the outline for our next discussion which is this Friday at Honkers on Day Road at 6 a.m.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13)

Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
(Matthew 4:1)

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13)

1) So if God does not do the tempting and He does not put evil desires in our hearts, then how do evil desires get there?

2) What is the difference between Testing and Temptation? Is there a difference?

Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] 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.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

3) It seems like evil (satan) can twist or use scripture in a way that uses it against the purpose and calling for which God saved you. How can you combat this? How can you tell when this is happening? Have you ever fell victim to this?

4) Can you get out from under Temptation on your own?

5) What do you do when you do not get the answer from God that you are wanting? Are you tempted to walk away from God, or draw closer to God?

6) What is the purpose of Temptation?


1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

7) What are your thoughts on this passage? Does it comfort you knowing that there is a way out or does it disturb you knowing that you are going to be tempted to your limits?

Things to ponder: When are you most tempted? What time of day? Where are you most tempted? At work? At home? On the road? Ask who is with me when I am most tempted? How do You feel when you are most tempted? Bored-lonely-depressed-under stress? Identify your typical pattern or temptation and avoid those situations….get an accountability partner. Ask for God’s help.
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