Yesterday my husband preached a sermon on temptation. It was the first sermon I have heard him give at Church @ The Lake. I am usually spending my Sundays in the children area. This week we did not have a room available for the kids and so everyone stayed in the sanctuary. It was exciting to see my husband's comfort level has improved a lot since we came here. I was able to take notes and wanted to share some of it with you.
The most important concept is this: " Temptation does not come from God," it is not in His nature. Temptation is solely of man. We are a passion driven people. We also need to understand if we desire something long enough, chances are we will fall. By fall, I mean we will sin.
There are three phases of temptation. The first is the "conception of sin via temptation." At this point we haven't actually sinned yet. The second, is the "birth of sin." This is where we actually commit the sin. The third is the result of sin. This is when the person has unrepented and unconfessed sin in their lives. This result is physical, spiritual and eternal in nature. It is a separation from God on one or all levels.
There are several things we can do to defeat temptation. We must be quick to hear the word of God. We must do the word of God. We must control our tongue. We must practice pure religion. The greek word 'rupos' means to remove the wax from you ear so you can hear. Our behavior should not reflect gossip, demeaning conversations or talking about others. If we hide God's word in our heart we can call upon it in these times.
Temptation is all around us. It comes in simple form such as a second helping of dessert or as complicated as sex, alcohol or gambling. One is not worse than the other. Temptation turned sin is still sin no matter what form it takes. Take some time to evaluate those things in your life which tempt you away from the Lord.
In His service
Mally
The most important concept is this: " Temptation does not come from God," it is not in His nature. Temptation is solely of man. We are a passion driven people. We also need to understand if we desire something long enough, chances are we will fall. By fall, I mean we will sin.
There are three phases of temptation. The first is the "conception of sin via temptation." At this point we haven't actually sinned yet. The second, is the "birth of sin." This is where we actually commit the sin. The third is the result of sin. This is when the person has unrepented and unconfessed sin in their lives. This result is physical, spiritual and eternal in nature. It is a separation from God on one or all levels.
There are several things we can do to defeat temptation. We must be quick to hear the word of God. We must do the word of God. We must control our tongue. We must practice pure religion. The greek word 'rupos' means to remove the wax from you ear so you can hear. Our behavior should not reflect gossip, demeaning conversations or talking about others. If we hide God's word in our heart we can call upon it in these times.
Temptation is all around us. It comes in simple form such as a second helping of dessert or as complicated as sex, alcohol or gambling. One is not worse than the other. Temptation turned sin is still sin no matter what form it takes. Take some time to evaluate those things in your life which tempt you away from the Lord.
In His service
Mally
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