The Temptation

“Temptation”

1.How does the devil tempt me?
2.Why does the devil tempt me?
3.At what point does temptation become sin?
4.How do I handle the temptation?
In this article we will be answering these questions from the Bible.
1. How does the devil tempt me?
In the Book of Luke(4:3) the text says “The devil say to Him “If you are the son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Satan may tempt us to doubt Christ's true identity. He knows that once we begin to question whether or not Jesus is God, it's much easier to get us to do what he wants. Times of questioning can help us sort out our beliefs and strengthen our faith, but those times can also be dangerous. If you are dealing with doubt, realize that you are especially vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search for answers , protect yourself by meditating on the unshakable truths of God's word.
Sometimes what we are tempted to do isn't wrong in itself. Turning stones into bread wasn't necessarily bad. The sin was not in the act, but in the reason behind it. The devil was trying to get Jesus to take a shortcut, to solve Jesus's immediate problem at the expense of his long-range goals, to seek comfort at the sacrifice of His discipline. Satan often works that way, persuading us to take action, even right action for the wrong reason, or at the wrong time. The fact that something is not wrong in itself does not mean that it is good for you to at a given time. Many people sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires outside of God's will or ahead of his timetable. First ask, “Is the Holy Spirit leading me to do this? Or is Satan trying to get me off track?”

2. Why does the devil tempt us?
in((Genesis 3:1-6) the text says “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman “Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” The woman said to the serpent “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die.” “You will surely not die” the serpent said to the woman”For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate it.”
Why does Satan tempt us? Temptation is Satan's invitation to give into his kind of life and give up on God's kind of life. Satan tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to sin. Ever since then, he's been busy getting people to sin. He even tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:11) but Jesus did not sin. How could Eve have resisted temptation? By following the same guidelines we can follow. First, we must realize that being tempted is not a sin. We have not sinned until give into the temptation. Then, to resist temptation, we must;
1.Pray for strength resist.
2.Run, sometimes literally.
3.Say no when confronted with what we know is wrong.
James (1:12) tells the blessing and rewards for those who don't give in when tempted.
The serpent Satan tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God's goodness. He implied that God was strict, stingy, and selfish for not wanting Eve to share his knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all that God had given her and instead, focus on what God had forbidden. We fall into trouble too, when we dwell on what God forbids rather than on the countless blessings and promises He had given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and what you don't have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won't lead you into sin.
3. At what point does temptation become sin?
In (Matthew 4:1) the text says “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by devil.”
This temptation by devil shows us that Jesus was human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God's plan for His ministry. It also gives us an example to follow when we are tempted. Jesus temptation was an important demonstration of His Sinlessness. He would face temptation and not give in. Although we may feel dirty after tempted. We should remember that temptation itself is not sin. We sin when we give in and disobey God. Remembering this will help us turn away from the temptation.


4. How do I handle Temptation?
In (Matthew 26:40) the text says “Then He returned to his disciples and found Them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” He asked Peter “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties and spiritually equipped to fight it. Because temptation strikes where we are most vulnerable, we can't resist it alone. Prayer is essential because God's strength can shore up our defenses and defeat Satan's power.
In (Luke 4:1-13) the text says “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to Him “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread” Jesus answered him “It is written Man does not live on bread alone” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world, and he said to Him “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours” Jesus answered “It is written worship the Lord your God and serve him only” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple “If you are the Son of God” he said “Throw yourself down from here, for it is written he will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully. They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” Jesus answered “It says “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” When the devil had finished all this tempting he left him until an opportune time.
Knowing and obeying God's word is an effective weapon against temptation, the only offensive weapon provided in the Christian's “armor” (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus used Scripture to counter Satan's attacks, and so should we. But to use it effectively, we must have faith in God's promises because Satan also knows Scripture and is adept at twisting it to suit his purpose. Obeying the Scripture is more important than simply having a verse to quote, So read them daily and apply them to your life, Then your “Sword” will always be sharp.
In (1 Corinthians 10:13) the text says “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.

In a culture filled with moral depravity and sin-inducing pressures. Paul gave strong encouragement about temptation, He said
1. Wrong desires happen to everyone not only you.
2. Others have resisted temptation, and so can you.
3. Any temptation can be resisted because God will help you.
A. Recognize the people and the situations that give you trouble.
B. Run from anything you know is wrong.
C. Choose to do only what is right.
D. Pray for God's help
E. Seek friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted.
Running from tempting situations is your first step on the way to victory (2 Timothy 2:22)