I CAN DO THIS

 

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ³ Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” ⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” ⁵ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” ⁷ Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”⁸ Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” ¹¹ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

 

 

I. THE ANATOMY OF TEMPTATION

 

1. God doesn’t tempt

James 1:13

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

 

2. Self-tempts

James 1:14

¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed

 

3. Satan tempts

Matthew 4:1

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil

  

4. They are Common 

1 Cor 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man 

 

5. They are Seasonal  

Luke 4:13

¹³ Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

 

Eph 6:13

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand

 

6. They usually proceed promotion

  

7. They are Measured

1 Cor 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

II. HOW TO OVERCOME

 

1. Fight the weakness that comes as part of the temptation

Matthew 26:40-41

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

2. Be Watchful

Be on the alert. Be Watchful

 

3. Be Prayerful

Phil 4:6. Be Careful for Nothing

 

4. Ask for help

Hebrews 2:18

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted.

 

Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

5. Endure Short-term pain for long-term pleasure

Psalm 73:1-17

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6. Rehearse the Word of God 

 

7. Rehearse the Character of God