Scripture Reading: James 1:12-16

Lead Us Not into Temptation

Intro.

1. “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt 6:13) bothers some people; seems to present God as an active agent in man’s temptation to sin (Jas 1:13).

a. The problem: “Most people would like to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch.” (Robert Orben)

b. Protect us against temptation; do not allow us to be led into temptation, cf. Lk 22:40 (Matt 26:41).

c. There is a way of escape, 1 Cor 10:13.

2. Avenues of temptation (individual and congregational) that we must identify and avoid.

I. TEMPTATION TO GROW (SUCCEED) AT ANY PRICE.

A. Desire to be “Progressive” / “Innovative” at the Expense of Truth, cf. 1 Sam 8:19-20. (cf. Acts 17:21)

1. Social gospel (“whole man” approach).

2. PMA (meet people’s felt needs): Don’t offend with straightforward truth (cf. Jesus, John, etc.).

3. Violations of church government:

a. Sponsoring churches: “a resource pooling strategy”; cf. “One Nation Under God”; Women in leadership roles (1 Tim 2:11-12)...

4. Unity in spite of scriptural error, Eph 4:3 (Jno 17:21).

B. These Things Amount to Compromise of Christ’s Doctrine and an Abandoning of the Old Paths of Truth, 2 Jno 9-11; Acts 20:28-31 (Jer 6:16-17).

II. TEMPTATION TO BE POPULAR AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR PERSONAL CONVICTION AND CONSCIENCE TOWARD TRUTH.

A. The Appeal of Popularity is Strong, Jno 12:42-43; cf. Gal 1:10.

1. This temptation can lead us to:

a. Forsake our faith and our service to Christ, Gal 2:11-12.

b. Compromise our preaching, 2 Tim 4:2-5.

2. We must fear God in doctrine, morality, values and in what we participate, Phil 4:8. Lk 12:4-5 (Heb 13:5-6)

III. TEMPTATION OF FITTING INTO THE WORLD’S MOLD, Rom 12:1-2.

A. These Temptations Include:

1. Materialism, Matt 6:24; Lk 12:15.

2. Worldliness (mind things of here and now with little/no eternal perspective and point of view, Col 3:2.

3. Situation ethics: Self rather than God’s truth, postmodernism of no absolutes, Jno 17:17.

B. Solution: Be Conformed to the Image of Christ, Col 3:10; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Pet 2:21.

IV. TEMPTATION TO BECOME COMFORTABLE IN NOT FULFILLING OUR SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

A. By Losing Our Vigilance to Serve, Jno 9:4; Rom 12:11.

B. By Regarding Opportunities to do Good as a Nuisance, Gal 6:10.

1. “It does no good” / ”They’ll never change.”

2. An “inconvenience”, cf. Lk 10:29-34, 36.

3. Turn away from opportunities to teach, to study, to encourage because it would be hard / time-consuming / put me out!

C. By Seeing no Need to Personally Mature, Heb 5:12-14.

V. TEMPTATION TO LOVE THIS PRESENT WORLD AT THE EXPENSE OF SALVATION IN THE WORLD TO COME.

A. This Present World Offers the Prospect of Immediate Pleasure and Satisfaction, Heb 11:25; 1 Jno 2:16 (2 Tim 4:10).

1. Tempted to envy wicked – appear to be blessed, Psa 73:3, 12-14 (17-19).

2. Must live with heaven as our goal, Matt 6:33 (Col 3:1).

B. This World (Evil) Will Pass Away, 1 Jno 2:17. (Do the will of God…)

1. Be lights in the world / Hold forth the word of life, Phil 2:14-16.

2. Do this without complaining (murmuring) and disputing (arguing), 2:14.

Conclusion

1. Temptation is not sin; it is the invita­tion to sin (Jas 1:14-15).

2. Your faith will be tried by Satan. Pray the Lord for His protection to help you successfully avoid yielding to temptation (Lk 22:40).