Winning the Battle
1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (NLT)
I. UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF TEMPTATION
A. Temptation Is Not Sin
The progression: Desire → Enticement → Sin → Death
B. Temptation Can Be Overcome
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
God promises:
1. Our temptations are common to humanity.
2. God is faithful.
3. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
4. God provides a “way of escape”
C. Temptation Has Three Primary Sources
1. The World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15–17
2. The Flesh
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
3. Satan
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Matthew 4:1–11
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
II. PRACTICE THE SIX CONDITIONS FOR VICTORY
1. BE ALERT
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.[a] Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
2. BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,Ephesians 5:18
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
I want to remind us of Our Wesleyan roots:
Prevenient grace — God reaches toward us and enables us to respond.
Justifying grace — God forgives and restores us.
Sanctifying grace — God continues transforming us into Christlikeness.
3. BE QUICK TO RESPOND
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
James 1:14–15
4. KNOW YOUR WAY OF ESCAPE
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. OBEY BY FAITH, NOT BY FEELING
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.Colossians 2:6
6. PRAY
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Matthew 26:41
III. REMEMBER WHERE VICTORY IS FOUND
A. Victory Is Found in Christ
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
B. Victory Is Made Possible by Grace
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:11–12
Grace enables → We respond → God transforms.
C. Victory Doesn't Mean We Never Struggle
TEMPTATION IS INEVITABLE—SURRENDER IS NOT
A. Temptation Is Not Sin
The progression: Desire → Enticement → Sin → Death
B. Temptation Can Be Overcome
13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
God promises:
1. Our temptations are common to humanity.
2. God is faithful.
3. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
4. God provides a “way of escape”
C. Temptation Has Three Primary Sources
1. The World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15–17
2. The Flesh
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
3. Satan
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Matthew 4:1–11
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
II. PRACTICE THE SIX CONDITIONS FOR VICTORY
1. BE ALERT
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.[a] Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
2. BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,Ephesians 5:18
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16
I want to remind us of Our Wesleyan roots:
Prevenient grace — God reaches toward us and enables us to respond.
Justifying grace — God forgives and restores us.
Sanctifying grace — God continues transforming us into Christlikeness.
3. BE QUICK TO RESPOND
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
James 1:14–15
4. KNOW YOUR WAY OF ESCAPE
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. OBEY BY FAITH, NOT BY FEELING
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.Colossians 2:6
6. PRAY
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Matthew 26:41
III. REMEMBER WHERE VICTORY IS FOUND
A. Victory Is Found in Christ
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
B. Victory Is Made Possible by Grace
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:11–12
Grace enables → We respond → God transforms.
C. Victory Doesn't Mean We Never Struggle
TEMPTATION IS INEVITABLE—SURRENDER IS NOT
