Temptation: 50+ Tips: Christian Theology Series

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TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

First edition 2022-September-1 – 2023.03.28, 2023.08.21

Copyright © 2022 Robert Lloyd Russell

Written by Robert Lloyd Russell

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version © 1982.

Scripture portions as noted are from:

King James Version (kjv) © 1909, now public domain

Amplified Bible (amp) © 1958

New American Standard Version (nasb) © 1960

New International Version (niv) © 1978

Good News Translation (gnt) © 1992

The Living Bible (tlb) © 1971

New King James Version © 1982

The Message (msg) © 1993

New American Standard—updated (nasu) © 1995

New Living Translation (nlt) © 1996

New English Translation (net) © 1996

English Standard Version (esv) © 2001

Notes: For consistency and clarity names and pronouns of God have been capitalized in all Bible quotations. All emphasis in Scripture quotations have been added.

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Dedication

To

All God’s Children

Who Recognize

Their Struggle

With Temptation

1.

Why This Book?

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

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Why write a book about temptation?

Don’t we all know about temptation? The answer is yes.

A Universal Problem

Is our response to temptation always right? I can say with certainty that all of us often respond wrongly in God’s sight.

The Old Testament makes our universal problem clear, "The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:2-3).

Just in case we missed it the first time we find this reality repeated, "The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one" (Psalm 53:1-3).

The New Testament states this fact more succinctly, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

An Overstatement?

Wait a minute, "There is none who does good" appears to our proud hearts as an overstatement.

If a person lived a long life of being a good parent, good neighbor, and a good citizen, but during his or her life only murdered one person, would they be considered a murderer? Of course! And remember that Jesus Christ while on earth stated flatly that the divine view includes:

Under the laws of Moses the rule was, ‘If you murder, you must die.’ But I have added to that rule and tell you that if you are only angry, even in your own home, you are in danger of judgment! If you call your friend an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse him, you are in danger of the fires of hell (Matthew 5:21-22 tlb).

Jesus also added, You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).

The Universal Need

Whether one recognizes their need to be stronger in the face of temptation or not, we all need to continually seek to improve upon our responses to the daily temptations we face. This is the reality that answers the question, Why this book?

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THINK AND GROW

Do you recognize the ongoing reality of temptations in your life?

Is there one area of reoccurring temptation that is particularly bothersome to you?

Are you satisfied with your consistency of response to temptation?

How well do you deal with temptation regarding material things?

How about temptations regarding your health?

Beneficial eating habits?

Adequate regular exercise?

Your thought life?

Part One

REALITIES

2.

The Tempter

And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13a

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Know Your Enemy

Does God Tempt You?

It is clear from Scripture that God does not tempt us.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:13-15).

Do We Tempt Ourselves?

Notice that the above verse states each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. The clear implication is that something or someone tempts us by utilizing our desires.

Is It Satan That Brings Temptation?

Yes and no. Because of the sinful nature we all inherited from Adam, we have a clear propensity for sin.

However, we cannot ignore the one who seeks to create temptations in us as he tries to draw us into sin. Consider for example some of the descriptions provided for us in Scripture of Satan and his methods.

[1] Subtle ~ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ (Genesis 3:1).

Notice in this first appearance of Satan his strategy was to create doubt about God and His Word. This basic strategy continues today.

[2] Law Breaker ~ "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:5-12).

While this passage refers to a future time, it is instructive regarding who Satan is.

[3] Murderer ~ "Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him" (John 8:42-44a).

This passage continues as follows:

[4] Liar ~ "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s Words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God" (John 8:44-47).

It is also important to realize that he masquerades in disguises:

[5] Angel of light ~ "But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

There are many deceptions including false religions and cults based upon imitating the true Light of the World with subtle, but important errors.

Satan’s tactics are many, not just pretending to be the true light.

[6] Actively Seeking to Destroy ~ "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:8-11).

Sometimes his tactics are much less obvious, and rather than the pounce of a ferocious beast devouring in one quick strike our adversary uses something more akin to slowly dripping water to wear us down.

[7] Ongoing Nuisance ~ The Apostle Paul writes, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Notice that if we stay near to God, He can use the tactics of Satan for God’s good and ours.

Knowledge is Power

Scripture tells us, "Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

A super important key for every Christian is to be aware of Satan’s tactics and to stand firm as a good soldier of Jesus Christ ready to do battle with Satan.

The Result of a Wrong Response to Temptation

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:14-15).

Death in this passage is primarily spiritual (separation from God) but can also be physical.

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THINK AND GROW

Prior to reading this chapter, which of these aspects of Satan were you most conscious of?

Of the seven characteristics of Satan listed above, is there one that stands out to you more than the others? If so, why?

Looking back at your life, can you think of an instance where you can identify how Satan tempted you?

Which of these tactics has Satan most often used in your life?

Are there tactics of Satan which you have not previously been aware of his using in your life?

3.

The Tempted

"And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren’."

Luke 22:31-32

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Who Are the Tempted?

The short answer is all of us. If you are a living person on planet earth, you are regularly being tempted.

The idle man tempts the devil to tempt him. —Charles H. Spurgeon

If you are a born-again child of God, Satan will pay particular attention to you. Not only that, but the more you are obedient to God the greater or more frequently the temptations are likely to come.

Consider the natural development of a child. As newborns they are innocent and dependent upon their parents. But along the way, maybe in the terrible twos, their sin nature begins to show its head and they want their own way. As they continue to develop there are bumps, bruises, and corrective actions by their parents. Healthy children will learn a degree of obedience and become healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally.

In the process of sanctification and spiritual growth, it is quite similar.

It is sad to see an adult who still behaves like a junior high kid. In like manner it is sad to observe a long-time believer who has not matured in his relationship with God.

The author of the Book of Hebrews put it this way:

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by