Faith When Facing Temptations

South Florida LectureshipNovember 9-11, 2007Breakout SessionC. Arlando Mitchell, Facilitator

Introduction

There is little doubt for the new convert and the “seasoned saint” alike that there are many and various temptations that cross our path as we travel from earth to glory.

Job 14:1

Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble.

Trouble

Heb.- ro’ghez- commotion, restlessness (as a horse), crash (as of thunder), disquiet.

It would seem the writer of this book wants us to know that life can be “storm tossed.”

Questions

What are some of the troubles that we find ourselves confronted with?

What are some of the major storms in life that you have had to weather?

Mark 4:37

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.”

It’s a good thing for the boat to be in the water, but quite another when the water is in the boat.

Question

How does a boat that is “now full of water” stay afloat?

Food for Thought: If Jesus was fast asleep in the hinder (helm) part of the ship, and the boat had filled with water, why was Jesus awakened by His disciples and not by the tossing and water level?

Sequence of Events

The storm arose. The Savior arose. The Savior rebuked the wind, and spoke

to the sea, “Peace be still.” They stopped and there was a great

calm.

Core Thought

Why are you so fearful?

How is it that you have no faith?

What are we afraid of?

First Lesson

Focus on Faith in the Father and not on the Forecast

Eccl 2:22, 23

For what hath man for all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

NASV

For what does a man get in all of his labor and striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.

I Cor. 15:57, 58

Meaning

Do you ever feel like your life is full of toil and trouble?

Do you feel like you’re headed nowhere fast?

Do you feel like what you’re doing is in vain?

Do you lie awake at night wrestling with cares and concerns?

What’s happening to me?

The devil wants me to focus on the worst of life and not on the best.

The devil wants the hardships in our lives to cause us to lose heart (faith).

This may drive us to unjustly question God as if He is to blame or at fault.

The Breaking Point of Job

Chapters 29-31 show Job justifying himself rather than God (32:2).

Job looked at his predicament and became righteous in his own eyes (32:1).

Second Lesson

We all Possess a Potential Breaking Point

Matthew 6:13a

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

Temptation

Does this phrase in the model prayer imply that God tempts His children?

When I am faced with temptations in life is God behind the scenes?

Meaning

Temptation- (perasmos) a putting to proof (by experiment [of good])

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (tested by the devil).

Meaning cont.

The noun peirasmos, temptation, and the verb peirazo, is made up of the basic word, peira, experience.

Commentary

When God is the One who leads His people into temptation it is for the purpose of proving to His child that when God leads to temptation, He does not abandon him, but He is there to give him the victory and to make him more experienced in warfare against the devil.

Commentary

The Lord never leads to temptation for the purpose of causing anyone to fall, but for the purpose of proving the sufficiency of His presence (Zodhiates).

I Cor. 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

James 1:13f

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God (to do evil): for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man (with evil): But every man is tempted (by evil), when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James, cont.

But every man is tempted (by evil), when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Job 1:8

And the Lord said unto satan, hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?

Job 1:9

Then satan answered the Lord, and said, doth Job fear God for naught?

Third Lesson

If God Brings us to It, He Will Take Us Through It

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring it to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

NASV

And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Conclusion

Focus on Faith in the Father and not on the Forecast

We all Possess a Potential Breaking Point

If God Brings us To It, He Will Take Us Through It

Conclusion

Questions/Comments