The Direction Temptation Comes From
1st The direction temptation comes from
James 1:13-14 ESV
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. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
“Temptation is the best school into which the Christian can enter; yet, in itself, apart from the grace of God, it is so doubly hazardous, that this prayer should be offered every day, ‘Lead us not into temptation,’ or if we must enter into it, ‘LORD deliver us from evil”
—Martin Luther
Desires and the Devil
James 1:14 ESV
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Scripture Identifies the Devil as the Tempter
Matthew 4:3 ESV
And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2nd The desperate situation temptation puts us in
Luke 4:13 NIV
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
“The temptation of which the whole Bible speaks does not have to do with the testing of my strength, for it is of the very essence of temptation in the Bible that all my strength – to my horror, and without my being able to do anything about it – is turned against me; really all my powers, including my good and pious powers (the strength of my faith), fall into the hands of the enemy power and are now led into the field against me.”
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Temptation
3rd The dependance that helps us overcome
Ephesians 6:10-14a ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore.
Ephesians 6:17-18a ESV
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
