AN UNPREACHED SERMON (183)
[Photo by Hayley Hydom on Unsplash]
It comes as something of a surprise to most Christians to discover that when they are tempted, they must give in. Either they yield to the temptation and fall into sin, or they yield to the Lord and rise into victory. As the old hymn we used to belt out in the Senior Bible Class has it, “Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin...” A clear distinction always needs to be made between being tempted and actual sinning. The Lord Himself was severely tempted right at the start of His public ministry but never once did He give in to the onslaughts thrown at Him by the accuser. In each instance He countered the subtle temptation with a clear word from Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). The Lord whom we follow was tempted in every way we are, but never once did He give in. Throughout His earthly life He was sinless (Hebrews 4:1, 5).
Temptation comes to people in various guises and what might be a strong pull towards sin in one person, may not be the particular temptation another person experiences. The accuser knows where our weak spots are and will target them in a tailor-made fashion appropriate to our sinful nature and predilections. It’s possible to survey the course of our Christian lives and recognise that there are some temptations which never seem to have darkened the door of our conscience. But just when we think we are on firm ground in relation to any particular sin, something can happen to make us realise how subtle the temptation to sin is. There is a deviousness about temptation we should never take for granted.
All this was highlighted for me recently when I had to make a purchase I had been putting off for several weeks. My sins and shortcomings, like yours, are many. But I think I can honestly say that I have never had any great problems with pride or jealousy. Well aware of my own limitations and recognising that any gifts are God given, I have been contentedly thankful for any skills or gifts He has given me. Similarly, when it comes to jealousy, I can’t see the point of being envious of other people’s abilities. The same God who gifted me, gifted them; so, there is no room for comparisons. All this is deeply personal for me in relation to any preaching gifts the Lord has granted me.
So, what did I buy that caused me to reflect on these terrible twins of pride and jealousy, apparently lying dormant in my sinful soul? A walking stick! With my dodgy hip and a summer holiday planned for Naples, Pompei and Herculaneum clambering all over Roman ruins, I realise this will be a great asset. But oh the subtlety of the temptation to pride (how can I be seen with a walking stick?) and jealousy (why can others older than me get by without one and walk so smartly?). I have been reminded that pride and jealousy are two of the cardinal sins, and no matter how long we have been Christians they still lurk within the human heart ready to rear their ugly heads at the slightest provocation; almost waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
There is a verse in the Bible that provides clear teaching on this whole matter. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to everyone. 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 stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
TEMPTATION IS COMMON.
All Christians are tempted whether young or old, mature believers or new converts. None of us is exempt. We never reach a state of grace in this life where we are entirely free from the allurements and enticements of sin. It usually comes along three well-defined lines of attack.
From the world, the hostile, anti-God environment in which we live. The prime example is Simon Peter caving in to a wee servant girl and denying any knowledge of Christ (John 18:15-18, 25-27).
From the flesh, which is our ever-present lower nature that so easily responds to the world’s temptations. It often shows itself in the greed that dictates a certain course of action, the laziness that undermines resolve, or the impurity that stains our imagination to the point of dominating our thinking.
From the Devil and his emissaries who utilise the world around us and the selfishness within us. He often takes us by surprise, hurling one of his flaming arrows directly into the mind (Ephesians 6:16) - you can’t be seen with a walking stick (pride), other people don’t need them (jealousy).
GOD IS RELIABLE.
His faithfulness in times of temptation means He can be trusted to answer the prayer He gave us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
Of course, God never tempts anyone, but He does sometimes allow us to be tested. That is an important distinction highlighted by James 1:12-14. God tests us to build us up, Satan tempts us to pull us down. God’s reliability in this area can be seen
in the extent of the temptation He permits, for He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength He knows just how much you can take. The life of the Christian is in God’s hands, and nothing happens without His ultimate consent.
in the endurance of temptation He plans, for His purpose is that we might win and not lose. We conquer temptation by grappling with it head on and through Christ stand up under it.
ESCAPE IS POSSIBLE.
With every temptation that comes our way, no matter its source or its strength, God provides a way of escape. We do not have to sin; there is an alternative route, a fire escape, an emergency exit. Sometimes it is the old advice we were given in Sunday School that proves best: “Never expect to sin; never excite sin; never excuse sin”.
Keep off the danger areas Paul mentions in this section (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).
The desire for evil things (v6)
Displacing God, which is idolatry (v7)
Sexual conduct without love or commitment (vv8, 9)
Seeing how far we can go with God (v9)
Wrong attitudes like grumbling (v10)
Ignoring the warning signs (v11)
Be realistic in your thinking (v12)
When temptation comes, we need to yield. Giving in to the temptation will inevitably make us go under. But giving in to God will enable us to go from strength to strength. Every test that we experience is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps His promise, and He will not allow us to be tested or tempted beyond our power to remain firm. At the time we are put to the test, He will give us the strength to endure it, and so provide us with a way out.
CONUNDRUM ANSWER
A human being.
A baby walks/crawls on four legs in the morning of life
An adult person walks on two legs in the afternoon of life
An older person walks on three legs in the evening of life with the aid of a walking stick.
Comments