No temptation has seized you except what is

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. I Corinthians 10: 13

Common temptations: To shade the truth (just a little) To eat (more than I need) To compromise a standard To indulge in sexual images To snap at someone To gossip about someone To give someone a good tweak on the nose!

Common temptations: To shade the truth (just a little) To eat (more than I need) To compromise a standard To indulge in sexual images To snap at someone To gossip about someone To give someone a good tweak on the nose! Christ and His Temptation Matthew 4: 1 -11

John baptizing Desert of Judea

Desert of Judea

40 days of fasting Moses: Exodus 24, 34 Elijah: I Kings 19 40 years of testing: Israel in desert – Deuteronomy 8: 2

Drawing close to His heavenly Father

Who is the devil? A created being (finite) Rebelled against God, along with a host of angels. His goal: To thwart the purposes of God. Also known as Satan (“accuser”)

"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. " One line of thinking: If = “Since”/because The temptation: To use His own divine resources

"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. " Another line of thinking: If = “If” (referring back to Matthew 3: 17) The temptation: If you are God’s Son, then prove it. (To doubt God’s word)

"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. " Another line of thinking: If = “If” (referring back to Matthew 3: 17) The temptation: If you are God’s Son, then prove it. (To doubt God’s word) Deuteronomy 8: 1 -3

Kidron Valley

Further reflections Having a desert experience does not mean that God has deserted you. …was led by the Spirit into the desert…

Further reflections Having a desert experience does not mean that God has deserted you. The word for “tempt” and “test” come from the same root word. God tested Abraham. Genesis 22: 1 God tested Israel to see what was in their hearts. Deuteronomy 8: 2 God tests…to prove what is in our hearts. Satan tempts…to cause us to sin.

Further reflections Having a desert experience does not mean that God has deserted you. The word for “tempt” and “test” come from the same root word. We will be tempted by Satan along the same lines that he tempted Christ: To doubt God’s word To misapply God’s word To give allegiance to one other than God

Resisting temptation First line of defense: The Word of God

Resisting temptation First line of defense: The Word of God Tempted Weary Worry Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4: 25 Christ Judgment Heaven

Resisting temptation First line of defense: The Word of God Look for God’s way out. 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. I Corinthians 10: 13 Examples: Leave the room (when you want to snap) Direct your thoughts to those good, pure, noble (Philippians 4: 8)

Resisting temptation First line of defense: The Word of God Look for God’s way out. Be aware that Christ understands and can help you in your temptation. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2: 18

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. I Corinthians 10: 13