Introduction Temptation 7 Steps of a Temptation 1. Look 2. Lust 3. Lure 4. Conception 5. Birth 6. Growth 7. Death Summary of Temptation Literature

The topic "Temptation" is dealt with in the Bible. It shows how Jesus was tempted with:

• bread
• testing God
• fame and wealth

Jesus was tempted by the devil.
After Jesus had fasted forty days and forty night, he was hungry.
The temptor came to him and said:

Jesus did not give in doing the things Satan wanted him to do.
He used the weapon that Satan has no defense against, the truth of God's Word.
Jesus responded with the Scripture, exposing Satan's temptation for the sham that it was.

Jesus taught us the the Lord's prayer to say:

1. Temptation is the primary reason you desire to sin.

Temptation must deal with know truth that is in opposition to the sin, or the sin may not be committed.

a) Temptations always minimize the real dangers and maximize the imagined benefit.

b) Temptations always breed doubt about the word of God.

c) Every single temptation is rooted in at least one massive lie, which is promoted as the answer for what a person is looking for.

d) Temptation always incites lust to know and experience evil, which is forbidden by God.

Satan will tempt you throughout your entire life. Whatever sin you habe committed was preceded by a temptation which you believed and then acted upon by disobeying God and willfully sinning.

2. Temptations are particularly dangerous when you think you can't fall.

3. Temptations seek to overtake you.
You'll notice that when you have given in to temptation it no longer exists.
Temptations only exist on the "before" side of sin!
Before every sin lies its temptation.
If you defeat the temptation, you will not commit the sin.

4. Temptations are never unique but always common to everyone.

5. Temptations aren't allowed to exceed your ability to resist.

6. Temptations are always accompanied by the Lord's way to escape.

7. Temptations cannot extend beyond what you can bear.

In James 1, 14-15 seven steps are listed.

The senses, when not guarded, are an open door into the land of temptation.

Skilled temptation warriors learn to discern quickly when they are being drawn away. Bruce Wilkinson (2003: 123) writes:

What are the major sources of temptation in your life?

The only reason a temptation is tempting
is because of our own desires.
Desire means anything that attracts you,
anything you long for earnestly.
Desiring food is good, gluttony is not.

To entice means to attract artfully or skillfully by arousing hope or desire.

The desire grows from a tiny spark to a burning flame.
Intense desire blinds us.
See Proverbs 7, 10-22 or Proverbs 6, 25

Wilkinson (2003; 127) suggests that if temptation is external, run away.
If temptation is internal, guard your self-talk carefully.
When your desires are controlled, the temptation fades.

Temptation is the primary reason you desire to sin.