What does God say about: Does the Devil tempt Christians? What does God say about: Does the Devil tempt Christians? What does God say about: Can a Christian be tempted by the Devil? 1. Do our temptations always originate from Satan? 2. Do some of our temptations originate from Satan? 3. What else can Satan do to Christians? 1
James 1:2-4 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [peirasmos = test, trial, temptation], 3 knowing that the testing [dokimion=pass the test] of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:12-15 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial [peirasmos] ; for once he has been approved [dokimos], he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted [peirazo=attempt, test the quality] by God ; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:2-4 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. We can be happy when we pass the test 1 Peter 1:6-7 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 2
James 1:12-15 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God ; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do some of our temptations come from Satan? Examples: David 1 Chr. 21:1 Job Chapters 1-2 Jesus Matt. 4, Luke 4 (esp. v13), Matt. 16:22-23 Peter Luke 22:31-32 Ananias & Sapphira Acts 5:3-4 What else can Satan do to Christians? Who is Satan? John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 3
Who is Satan? John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Who is Satan? 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Who is Satan? Satan = the adversary What else can Satan do to Christians? Examples: Paul Acts 16:14-16, 1 Th. 2:18 Martin Luther For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe, flying ink pots. Christ s Witchdoctor Elka defeats his patron spirit. Missionaries Tom & Mary cerebral malaria banished by prayer. Demon possession never said of Christians in the Bible 4
Ephesians 6:10-17 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 5
Footholds Eph. 4 26 In your anger do not sin : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. Foothold also translated as opportunity, it is a weakness in your spiritual walk, such as unconfessed sin, habitual sin, or other areas where you are prone to doubt God s power. John Piper When the darkness will not lift Do not be content with whispering your sin to God. That is good. Very good. But he offers us something more: Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed (James 5:16). There is release and healing that flows from confessing not only to God in the secret place of your heart, but also to a trusted friend, or to the person you have offended. The tender words, I m sorry, will you forgive me? are one of the surest paths to joy. 3. Resist! Resist! (Matt. 6:9-13) 9 Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 6
Resist! James 4:7-8 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Resist! Gal. 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Rom. 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Resist! 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 3. Resist! 4. Hold on to your joy. 7
Hold on to your joy Our legal standing before God does not depend on us. Rom. 3:28: For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Rom. 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. Rom. 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Hold on to your joy Martin Luther: When the Devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: I admit that I deserve both death and hell. What of it? Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means. For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Where he is, there I shall be also. 3. Resist! 4. Hold on to your joy. 5. Remember that God is in control. God is in control Rom. 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. God seeks your perfection, not your comfort. God s plan runs unhindered from Genesis to Revelation. 8
3. Resist! 4. Hold on to your joy. 5. Remember that God is in control. 9