SPIRITUAL WARFARE 3.3

SECTION 3-3:

*** Satan Tempts Us To Sin ***

(Ephesians 2:1-2)
We are battling three enemies:
the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Psalm (119:105, 111)
Our first line of defense: God’s Word.

Satan has a process for tempting us that includes three steps:

    1. SATAN ENGAGES US IN A CONVERSATION:
       (Genesis 3:1-7) – Eve’s mistake: talking to the serpent.
       Note:
           Although we don’t have an audible conversation,
           we still engage in conversation with him today.
               Satan: Go ahead, the sin won’t hurt you just this once.
               Believer: But I shouldn’t do it…although it
                               probably won’t hurt me. At least
                               it will only hurt me, if it hurts anyone.

                Satan: That’s right. And besides, no one will know.
                Believer: I can probably hide it.

                Satan: And think about the pleasure it will give you.
                Believer: It would be fun.

                Satan: Just think what you would be missing.

            Note:
                The longer we debate the temptation,
                the more likely we are to give in and sin.
                If we rationalize long enough, we will
                convince ourselves that the sin doesn’t matter.

        Some excuses people use to convince
        themselves to give in to temptation.
            – “God doesn’t really want me to miss out on this fun.”
            – “If I commit this sin, nobody else will get hurt.”
            – “Nobody will ever find out about this sin;
               I’ll keep it hidden.”
            – “I can always turn from my sin (repent) tomorrow.
               Just one more time won’t hurt.”
            – “I know God loves me and He will forgive me again”
            – “Maybe it’s not really a sin anyway;
               maybe I’m just being too legalistic.”
            – “I’ve already given in before and
               the Lord is already disappointed with me.”
            – “I deserve this; look at the problems I’ve had recently.”
            – “God made me with a desire for this sin.”

        Question:
        How do we fight these temptations?
            – By knowing and reciting God’s Word
              (Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 6:18; James 4:7).

    2. SATAN CAUSES US TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE ARE MISSING:
        In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve access
        to everything with the exception of one tree…this is
        what they focused on.
        Note:
            When we focus our attention on what we don’t have,
            we put ourselves at risk to temptation.
                – We don’t have what others have,
                   so we covet (Exodus 20:17).
                – Lust is a desire for someone, rather than some thing.
                – Worry is a result of our getting caught up in
                   what we cannot control, instead of focusing
                   on God’s provisions (Matthew 6:25-34).

    3. SATAN MAKES SIN LOOK GOOD:
        (Matthew 4:8-9)
            – He tried to offer Jesus the world.

        (Genesis 3:6)
            – He caused Eve to realize
               how pleasing the forbidden fruit had become.

        Note:
            Most of the time we sin because sin looks good;
            Satan makes sure we see its attractiveness.
            Note:
                (Hebrews 11:24-25) – Sin is fun, but only for a time.
                Example:
                    (Luke 15:11-16) – The prodigal son.
            Note:
                Because sin looks so inviting, we are often easy prey.

        Some possible responses to temptation:
            – Run to God.
               When the devil wants to start a conversation,
               choose to talk to God instead.

            – Focus on God’s goodness and His blessings.
               When enticed to see what we are missing,
               remember the blessings of God;
               take time to think about all He has done for us.

            – Remember the consequences of sin.
               Think past the temporary pleasure
               and remember the pain of disobedience.

            – Thank God in advance for giving us strength to resist.