The document discusses how to overcome temptation. It explains that temptation is an opportunity for spiritual growth rather than a stumbling block. It describes how temptation works through desires, doubt, deception and disobedience. Some key ways to overcome temptation mentioned are to refuse to feel intimidated by temptation, recognize patterns of temptation and be prepared, and request God's help through prayer. Developing Christ-like character is the goal in defeating temptation.

1. Growing Through
Temptation
Section 26 Page 201-208
Sunday 31 October 2010

2. Every temptation is
an opportunity to do
good
Sunday 31 October 2010

3. Sunday 31 October 2010

4. James 1:12
Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial,
because when he has
stood the test, he will
receive the crown of life
that God has promised to
those who love him.
Sunday 31 October 2010

5. Temptation is a stepping stone
to spiritual maturity not a
stumbling block - an
opportunity to do right not
wrong - choose right and you
grow in character.
Warren does this by suggesting
you identify the character
qualities of Jesus - the fruit of
the Spirit - and knowing Jesus
is each of these perfectly
Sunday 31 October 2010

6. How does the HS produce these
in your life? Slowly
Sunday 31 October 2010

7. “God develops the fruit of
the Spirit in your life by
allowing you to
experience circumstances
in which you’re tempted
to express the exact
opposite quality”
Warren, page 202
Sunday 31 October 2010

8. We learn love as God puts
unlovely people around us -
loving lovely people is easy!
We learn real joy in the midst
of sorrow - happiness
depends on external
circumstances, joy depends
on your relationship with
God.
Sunday 31 October 2010

9. Peace comes through times of confusion and
chaos - choosing God when we are afraid
You can’t claim to be good if you’ve never had
the opportunity to be unfaithful - integrity is
built by defeating the opportunity to be
dishonest, humility by refusing pride etc.
Each time you defeat a temptation you become
more like Jesus
Sunday 31 October 2010

10. How Temptation Works
Satan is entirely predictable - he has used
the same strategy and tricks for all of
creation.
2 Cor 2:11 TM After all, we don't want to
unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet
more mischief—we're not oblivious to his
sly ways!
Sunday 31 October 2010

11. Step 1 - a desire is created in
you, sinful (revenge, control
etc.) or legitimate (need for
love etc.)
The temptation is to fulfill
either of these in a sinful way
- a wrong way or at the wrong
time - a shortcut which you
might think you deserve, or
will make you feel better.
This begins within us.
Sunday 31 October 2010

12. Mark 7:21-23 - For from within, out of
men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual
immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed,
malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander,
arrogance and folly. All these evils come
from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "
James 4:1 - What causes fights and
quarrels among you? Don't they come from
your desires that battle within you?
Sunday 31 October 2010

13. Step 2 - doubt, about what God
has sad about the sin.
“Did God really say...surely God
wants me to be happy...doesn’t
this apply to someone else at
some other time...”
Heb 3:12 So watch your step,
friends. Make sure there's no
evil unbelief lying around that
will trip you up and throw you
off course, diverting you from
the living God.
Sunday 31 October 2010

14. Step 3 - deception, satan does
not tell the truth but replaces
what god has said with lies or
half truths - no one will know, it
is only a little sin...
John 8: 44 You belong to your
father, the devil...He was a
murderer from the beginning,
not holding to the truth, for
there is no truth in him. When
he lies, he speaks his native
language, for he is a liar and the
father of lies.
Sunday 31 October 2010

15. Step 4 - disobedience, you
act on what you have been
thinking about, you give in -
the thought is birthed into
action
James 1:14-16 each one is
tempted when, by his own
evil desire, he is dragged
away and enticed. Then, after
desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, gives birth to
death. Don't be deceived, my
dear brothers.
Sunday 31 October 2010

16. Overcoming Temptation
It is not enough to
understand
temptation - you have
to overcome it
Sunday 31 October 2010

17. 1. Refuse to be Intimidated
Many Christians are
frightened and demoralised
by tempting thoughts -
feeling ashamed for being
tempted - you will not
outgrow temptation, it is
part of a fallen world
Satan does not tempt those
already doing his will but he
hates those who are not -
temptation is a good sign in
this sense
Sunday 31 October 2010

18. It is not a sin to be tempted
“You cannot stop birds form flying
over your head but you can keep them
from making a nest in your hair”
Martin Luther
Sunday 31 October 2010

19. What is the difference
between physical attraction,
sexual arousal, and lust? The
first two are part of our image
of God make up - the latter a
choice in your mind of what
you want to do with your
body. Attraction is not lust
until you choose to act on it.
The closer you grow to God
the more satan hates you -
and will try to bring you
down.
Sunday 31 October 2010

20. Sometimes when you pray
a strange or evil thought
might enter your mind - to
distract or shame you - it is
satan trying to stop your
prayers - don’t condemn
yourself but refocus on God
Sunday 31 October 2010

21. 2. Recognize your pattern of
temptation and be prepared for it
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-
controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a
roaring lion looking
for someone to devour.
Plan wisely - make
good choices
Where are you most
vulnerable to temptation?
Time of day, location, people,
tired, lonely, stressed, self
pitying, angry, hurt,
successful
Sunday 31 October 2010

22. 2. Recognize your pattern of
temptation and be prepared for it
1 Peter 5:8 Be self-
controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a
roaring lion looking
for someone to devour.
Plan wisely - make
good choices
Sunday 31 October 2010

23. Eph 4:26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do
well to be angry—but don't use your anger as
fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't
go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that
kind of foothold in your life.
Prov. 4:26-27 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm. Do not
swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot
from evil.
Prov. 16:17 The highway of the upright
avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his
life
Sunday 31 October 2010

24. 3. Request God’s help
Psalm 50:15
and call upon me in the day
of trouble; I will deliver you,
and you will honor me.
Sunday 31 October 2010

25. 3. Request God’s help
Psalm 50:15
and call upon me in the day
of trouble; I will deliver you,
and you will honor me.
Sunday 31 October 2010

26. Many Biblical characters
prayed this simple prayer.
And remember God does
understand;
Heb. 4:15 For we do not
have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we
have one who has been
tempted in every way, just
as we are—yet was without
sin.
Sunday 31 October 2010

27. God wants to help you
defeat temptation - do you
want to be helped?
Are you embarrassed to
ask for help with the same
repeating temptation? God
is patient and
understanding - don’t you
think he would rather you
ask for help than be
defeated?
God is eager to be
gracious and merciful.
Sunday 31 October 2010

28. Ask God for help, for
power to do the right
thing - and expect him to
help.
Heb 4:16 Let us then
approach the throne of
grace with confidence, so
that we may receive
mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of
need.
Temptations throw us
back on Jesus
Sunday 31 October 2010

29. Ask God for help, for
power to do the right
thing - and expect him to
help.
Heb 4:16 Let us then
approach the throne of
grace with confidence, so
that we may receive
mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of
need.
Temptations throw us
back on Jesus
Sunday 31 October 2010

30. Point to ponder
Every temptation is an opportunity
to do good
Sunday 31 October 2010

31. Verse to Remember:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the
crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him.
Sunday 31 October 2010

32. Question to Consider:
What christlike character quality
can I develop by defeating the most
common temptation I face?
Sunday 31 October 2010