The Trial of Temptation

The Trial of Temptation

Luke 22:31-33, 39-46

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, "Pray that you will not give in to temptation." He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhaused from grief. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not give in to temptation."

Introduction:

Luke 22:31   Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

• Dealing with Temptation
  • • 1 Corinthians 10:13   The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 
    • Genesis 3:6   The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
    • Matthew 4:1   Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 
• The Problem of Temptation
  • • 1 John 2:15-16   Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 
    • James 1:14-15   Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
      
    • 1 Corinthians 10:12   If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
• The Solution of Temptation
  
  • • Luke 22:40   There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
      
    • Matthew 6:13   And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
    • Luke 22:32   But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.
      
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:3   But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
    • Matthew 4:10-11   “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him." Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
      
    • Psalm 119:11   I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Conclusion

James 1:2-4   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:12   God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.