THE L.I.F.E. PLAN TEMPTATION BLOCK 1 THEME 5 - THE FALL LESSON 2 (18 of 216)
BLOCK 1 THEME 5: THE FALL LESSON 2 (18 OF 216): TEMPTATION LESSON AIM: Present several important truths concerning temptation. SCRIPTURE: (1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Beginning with Adam and Eve, temptation is a reality everyone faces. The Bible has much to say about it, giving us a complete understanding of what it is, where it comes from, what its purpose is, and how to get through it. The wise Christian should know the Bible s teaching on this matter since the possibility exists that we will encounter temptation each and every day of our lives. When we look into the Bible s comprehensive handling of the subject of temptation, several key points are made which we need to understand. These key points will be shared in this lesson. In the first place, we need to know that everyone undergoes temptation. Knowing this fact alone will go a long way in defusing our adversary s strategy against us in this area. The enemy wants us to feel that we are the only one who is going through this kind of experience. If he can keep us feeling this way, he can isolate us from some of our key defenses in combating temptation; our heavenly Father, the Word of God, prayer, and fellow believers. The Bible says that the great Old Testament prophet, Elijah, went through the same things. And, there are many other Biblical examples, too. Some of them endured the temptation, some failed. Even in the failure, we can learn what could have been done to avoid the failure and we can learn how they responded after the failure to overcome the loss and regain spiritual ground. The point is, temptation is a common experience to all of us. The next key point the Scriptures make is that we understand that temptation is not sin. Temptation can lead to sin, but the fact that we are tempted does not mean that we have sinned. This can be another weapon in our adversary s arsenal against us. If he cannot lure us into the sin itself, he will have us believing that the simple fact that we are tempted to sin is a sin. While we may not have actually committed the sin that we have been tempted to do, the devil can achieve some of the same results in hindering our service to the Lord if he can get us to think we have sinned merely by being tempted. In one way, although temptation is not sin, it can reveal to us some of the areas of weakness in our heart and life in which we are susceptible to sin. If we are constantly being tempted to do a certain thing, we should look into that area and make adjustments which will reduce or eliminate that particular temptation. For example, if you have a certain friend who always tries to get you to participate in an activity that you know is wrong, you can remove that temptation simply by disassociating yourself from that person. Note the areas in which you are tempted to sin and determine what actions you can take to remove that temptation. The more you are tempted, the more possibility
there is to sin. Remove the temptation and you limit the enemy s chances to get you to sin in that area. A third key point in the Bible s teaching about temptation is that we understand the purpose of it. Temptation speaks of two very different purposes and two very different results. In order to understand the purpose of temptation, we have to look at the source from which it comes. The Bible tells us that the two sources of temptation are the devil and God. Each one uses temptation for a different purpose and to bring about a different result. The devil will never use temptation for the same purpose and result that God uses it, and God will never use it for the same purpose and result that the devil uses it. The devil uses temptation as a solicitation to evil and sin. The results he is looking for is to get man to turn his back on God, disobey God s commandments, and go his own way apart from God. In this way, the devil can achieve that for which he has come: to steal, kill, and destroy. Many a life, dream, hope, relationship, home, career, and ministry have been shattered because a person gave in to the devil s temptation to sin. James explained the process that takes place in James 1:12-15. The devil uses a particular desire of our flesh to lure us into the trap of sin. When we give in to the temptation, sin becomes the result. And sin, left to itself, degrades or destroys everything it touches. God will never tempt a person to do evil and commit sin. The Bible uses the word tempt when it speaks of certain times of God s interaction with his people. However, his purpose is never to cause the person to sin, but rather to prove the person as being faithful to God. There are at least three great examples of this proving in the lives of Abraham, Job, and Jesus. When God tempts, or proves, a person, his aim is to reveal the true heart and character of that person, or to bring that person into a deeper relationship with God, or to reveal something in his life that needs to be corrected. To sum it up, we could say that God s aim in proving a person is to approve him, to improve him, or to reprove him. Again, the devil will never have this aim in a person s life. What the devil means for evil, God means for good. Finally, and thankfully, the Bible tells us how to endure and overcome temptation. The focal verse we have for this lesson gives us two ways to do this. First, it reminds us that temptation is common to everyone. We are not alone in that we are tempted. This means that if we are struggling with a temptation, we can go to a trusted friend and share our struggle with them and get their advice on how they were able to endure in the time of temptation. Their advice can help us be an overcomer as well. Next, the verse tells us that God is standing ready to assist us in the time of temptation. He actually limits temptation s duration, although sometimes it may not seem this way. But he will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can endure. Sometimes, if we will just wait it out, it will pass. And, God has also made the way of escape that we can bear, or endure the temptation. His plan is not to get us out of it, but to get us through it. God s Son, Jesus Christ, is our way of escape. He was proven in the wilderness to be the sinless Son of God. He was tempted and came through it unscathed. He is here for us to aid and relieve us when we are tempted. When you are tempted, use all the means at your disposal to overcome. Look to Jesus and win instead of sin.
LESSON OUTLINE BLOCK 1 THEME 5: THE FALL LESSON 2 (18 OF 216): TEMPTATION I EVERYONE UNDERGOES TEMPTATION A. Beware of isolation B. Even the prophets were tempted II TEMPTATION IS NOT SIN A. Temptation is not sin but can lead to sin B. Satan can get similar results if you think temptation is sin III THE PURPOSE OF TEMPTATION A. The devil 1. A solicitation to evil and sin 2. His purpose is to destroy 3. The process he uses B. God 1. To approve 2. To improve 3. To reprove IV HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION A. Realize temptation is common to all people B. God stands ready to assist you 1. He limits temptation s duration 2. He has made the way of escape through Jesus SCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. The temptation and fall of man Genesis 3:1-24 2. Temptation of others Abraham - Genesis 22:1-2 Job - Job 23:10 Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11 3. How temptation to evil works James 1:12-15 4. God s purpose in tempting, or proving Deuteronomy 8:16
5. Other related Scriptures Matthew 6:13a Ephesians 6:10-19 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Hebrews 2:18 Hebrews 4:15 James 1:2-4 1 John 2:15-17 1 Peter 1:6-7 1 Peter 4:12-13 LINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION 1. CHRISTOLOGY The temptation of Christ How Christ helps us overcome temptation 2. THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN Satan is the tempter Satan s methods of operation 3. THE DOCTRINE OF SIN Temptation is the doorway to sin LESSON GLOSSARY 1. Susceptible Subject to; having little resistance to 2. Disassociate To break company with
QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY 1. Why is it important to know that you are not the only person who undergoes temptation? It prevents the devil from isolating you; you can get support from others who have overcome temptation 2. List 4 things the Bible teaches us about temptation. What it is; Where it comes from: What its purpose is; How to get through it 3. What are the two sources of temptation? The devil; God 4. What is the difference between the temptations of the devil and God? The devil tries to get us to sin against God; God seeks to prove us 5. What three purposes does God have in proving us? To approve us; To improve us; To reprove us 6. What is the way of escape that God has given us to overcome temptation? Jesus 7. What is a time in your life when the devil tempted you to sin? Student response 8. What is a time in your life when God proved you to be faithful to him? Student response
BLOCK 1 THEME 5: THE FALL LESSON 2 (18 OF 216): TEMPTATION QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT 1. Why is it important to know that you are not the only person who undergoes temptation? 2. List 4 things the Bible teaches us about temptation. 3. What are the two sources of temptation? 4. What is the difference between the temptations of the devil and God? 5. What three purposes does God have in proving us? 6. What is the way of escape that God has given us to overcome temptation? 7. What is a time in your life when the devil tempted you to sin? 8. What is a time in your life when God proved you to be faithful to him?