Notes - 27th August 06

Bible passage:
Luke 4:1-15
James 1:13-15

The fact that the Lord's prayer contains the petition, 'Lead us not into temptation ... ', suggests that we need to be very aware of our weakness when it comes to confronting areas of our life where we are especially vulnerable and liable to be exposed to the attacks of the Devil to a greater degree. There is no room for complacency, but as we learned last time, every experience of temptation is an opportunity, with God's help, to choose the right course of action and grow stronger, to become more like Jesus. In this section, we learn more practical lessons about how to defeat temptation.

Sometimes it can seem that a temptation is too powerful to bear and that all we can do is give in to it. But there is always a way out. God has promised never to allow more on you than he puts within you to handle it. He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome. However, you must do your part too by practising four biblical keys to defeating temptation:

REFOCUS your attention on something else. When you are tempted by something that will not be good for you or that you know is wrong, you will find that trying to resist a thought by will-power doesn't work. Indeed, it intensifies the thought, strengthens it's appeal. By trying to drive a thought out of your mind, you drive it deeper into the sub-concious: you strengthen it every time you think of it or try not to think of it.

Instead, you need to realise that rather than fighting the thought, you need to change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea. We need to put our minds on to something more significant.

Temptation always begins by capturing your attention, which then rouses your emotions, which then activates your actions. That's why the best approach is to ignore the temptation by focussing on what is more significant - then the temptation loses it's power on you. David prayed, 'Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless' (Ps 119:37)

Read Luke 4:1-15

What do you think Jesus' condition was after forty days without food? Notice that the Spirit led him there: why? Without spending too long on the subject, which is a theme worthy of another evening, what's the importance of fasting for us? (Matt 6:16-18)? It was natural that Jesus would be hungry and needed physical nourishment. What was wrong with the Devil's temptation to Jesus? Jesus focussed on what was more important. Are we able to do this? How can we try and not just think of the moment, but think of eternity and the consequences that follow from our choices? Warren suggests we need to monitor what thoughts we let come into our minds from the media around us. How much do we filter things we watch and read through the lens of Philippians 4:8?

What do Jesus' answers to the Devil show us about how to deal with such temptations? (see Eph 6:17). Did you do 'sword drill' this morning? How can we fight temptation if we don't train with the weapon God has provided? How important is it to get a better heart-knowledge of God's word if we are to get the victory over temptation? Remember, you don't have time to go and look up a concordance to find out what a verse from God's word says, when you are tempted. You need to have it ready in your mind. But even if we only know a few verses, it's amazing how God can enable us to use them to repel Satan! How important it is to memorize some verses, especially those that God has spoken through into your life.

What happens to Satan when we claim a promise from God's word when we are tempted? Have you experience of this in your own life?

REVEAL your struggle to a trusted, godly friend or support group. There is great value in having the advice and strength of other people. When it comes to temptation, it can be a great help to have the trusted support of other people.

(Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). What importance does this concept give to the place of confidentiality and truthfulness in this ministry of mutual support? Is there someone God can lead you towards, who may be able to share this ministry of accountability and support with one another?

(Read 1 Corinthians 10:13). This verse suggests that the temptations we struggle with shall be shared by many of the people in the church around us. Do you find this a help to be able to open up to one or two trusted confidants? Confession, not repression, is what is needed to overcome temptation! How often do you think, in your experience, the way out God has provided has involved help from another Christian brother or sister?

RESIST the Devil. Remember the Devil has less power over you than you might think. Look up James 4:7. Notice how it is not simply a case of resisting temptation. What does the verse say we should do? What does this mean in practical terms for us?

REALIZE your vulnerability. Look up 1 Corointhians 10:12 to realize that even with the great promise of the following verse, we need to realize how frail we are as sinners. Are there practical steps you can take to ensure that you do not, as far as is possible, put yourself in a position of unnecessary danger to temptation? Recognize your weak moments, your danger places and avoid them if you can and do not leave yourself isolated in them.

(Read James 1:13-15). Is the power of temptation out there, or does it come from within ourselves? We must do all we can to avoid exposing ourselves to the risk of the temptation growing within us.

Points to ponder:

*There is always a way out

*Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help and pray for me?