Break Free, Part 5: Winning the War with Temptation

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

To conquer a besetting or habitual sin, I must:

1. Fearlessly it (Hebrews 12:1)
2. Place over it (Hebrews 12:2)
3. Acknowledge how I am to it (1 Corinthians 10:12)
4. Recognize how my sin affects (1 Corinthians 5:6)
5. Understand the that draws me in (James 1)
6. , every day, to conquer temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)

James 1:12-15
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.
        When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but 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.

Truth: does not tempt people to do wrong.

Truth: Temptation starts with evil desires.

The Descending Cycle of Sin

Evil personal → → → →

A Story of Temptation: Joshua 7:19-23
Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
        Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
        So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the LORD.

Achan’s descending cycle of sin:

I → I → I → I

We all face temptation, but there’s a promise of God.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Another promise in the face of temptation:
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. – Isaiah 59:19

Now, read with the comma moved…
When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

Journal Work

One Question: How will I choose to handle inevitable temptation?

One Truth: Temptation is common, but God always gives a way out.

One Step: Make a plan before temptation is revealed.

Small Group Questions

1. What did you think/say/do when you saw the snow this past week?
2. What is the greatest temptation you face on a daily/weekly basis?
3. How do you handle temptation when it comes against you?
4. Read all the scriptures from this sermon outline out loud. What do you learn from James, Achan and Isaiah that you can use to battle temptation?
5. If someone came to you and said they were look for a way out from their besetting sin. How would you respond? Where would you tell them to look as a way of escape?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?