Garwood Presbyterian Church

Overcoming Temptation

Genesis 39:1-10, Romans 13:14, James 4:7-10
# 2 In "We Are Overcomers Through Christ"

Introduction: We read from Genesis 39 how Joseph overcame a major temptation put right before him. So we can overcome temptation. But dealing with temptation is very difficult. This was even true for Jesus. Hebrews 2:18 says that Jesus himself suffered when He was tempted. To not give in to temptation causes us to suffer. No wonder we give in so often! So how can we overcome temptation?

1. How to Overcome Temptation
   1. Be a Christian and have God's Spirit within you to help you from the inside out.
      1. Galatians 5:16
      2. I John 4:4
   2. Make God your source of happiness instead of your temptation.
      1. Love God more.
         1. This is the first and greatest commandment, Matthew 22:36-38.
         2. Want to please God more than to carry out your temptation.
      2. It is easier to love God more when we have received more of God's love for our own life.
         1. Therefore, believe and receive the love that God has for you. See Jer. 31:3, Romans 5:8, I John 3:1, and I John 4:16.
         2. We also receive more of God's love through obedience, because obedience brings God's blessings. So obey God to experience more of God's love.
      3. We also love God more by doing what Joseph did and not sinning against God.
      4. The book of Ecclesiastes points out that Solomon tried all other sources of happiness besides God, including every type of pleasure, and he found that they were all meaningless and unsatisfying. The only thing that is truly satisfying for our life is God Himself.
         1. And James 4:8 said, "Come near to God and He will come near to you."
   3. One of the most important ways that we come near to God and defeat temptation is through prayer.
      1. Jesus said in Mathew 26:41 to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
      2. Therefore, it is good to pray the Lord's Prayer every day, and to ask God to "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
      3. It is also good to rededicate yourself to God at the beginning of every day, and to also put on the armor of God in prayer so we can "stand against the devil's schemes."
      4. If you know you have something that tempts you, then give it over to the Lord in prayer as something that you sacrifice to Him.
   4. Another way to draw near to God and defeat temptation is by studying His Word and being committed to keeping it.
      1. This is how Jesus defeated the devil when he tempted Him. See Matthew 4:1-11.
      2. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
   5. To overcome temptation, also stay away from whatever tempts you.
      1. This is what we read that Joseph did. "He refused to even be with her [Potiphar's wife]."
      2. "Out of sight, out of mind" does work.
   6. To overcome temptation, also have other people help you.
      1. Have someone you can talk to about your temptation and who will hold you accountable for dealing with it. See Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
      2. Join a support group like AA, or even better, a Christian group like Overcomers.

Conclusion: Romans 13:14 said, "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." This reminds us of the song "Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." Yes, as I Cor. 15:57 proclaims, "Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."