DOING WHAT I CAN DO…

To Resist Temptation

Victor M. Eskew

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Our theme this year at OceanSide is:  “Doing What I Can Do…”

1.    Matthew 7:21

 

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 

2.    Matthew 24:46

 

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

 

3.    James 1:22

 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

4.    Revelation 22:14

 

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

B.   Once a month, we try to study different subject that will keep us focused on our theme.

1.    Doing What I Can Do…in Evangelism

2.    Doing What I Can Do… in Giving

3.    Doing What I Can Do…as An Example

4.    Doing What I Can Do…as a Local Church Member

 

C.   In this lesson, let’s consider this topic:  “Doing What I Can Do to Resist Temptation.”

 

I.             ENTICEMENT

 

A.   James 1:14

 

But every man is tempted, when he drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

 

B.   Every human being has lusts and desires.

 

C.   Satan casts his sinful bait in front of us hoping to get us to yield to the enticement and sin against God (Jam. 1:15).

 

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

1.    Sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4).

2.    Spiritual death is the result of our transgressions (Rom. 6:23).

 

II.           EPIDEMIC

 

A.   Yielding to sin is an epidemic.

1.    Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

 

2.    Romans 3:23

 

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

 

3.    1 John 1:8

 

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

B.   Man has a tendency to categorize sin:  small sins, moderate sins, and big sins.

 

C.   All sin whether in the mind, with the tongue, or with our body will bring condemnation (Ezek. 18:20)

 

The soul that sinneth, it shall die…

 

III.         ESCAPE

 

A.   The escape from sin comes from the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

1.    Matthew 26:28

 

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

2.    1 Peter 1:18-19

 

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

 

3.    1 John 1:7

 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

4.    Revelation 1:5b

 

…unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sin in his own blood.

 

B.   This cleansing is for all men, but it is conditional in nature.

1.    Being clean involves the authority of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:11).

2.    Being clean involves the Word of God (John 15:3).

3.    Being clean involves faith (Acts 15:9).

4.    Being clean involves obedience (1 Pet. 1:22).

5.    Being clean involves baptism (Acts 22:16).

6.    Beig clean involves the confession of our sins (1 John 1:9).

 

IV.         EFFORT

 

A.   When we initially met the conditions of purification, we were cleansed from all sins.  In fact, we were supposed to have put the old man of sin to death (Rom. 6:6).

 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sins.

 

B.   God’s ultimate desire is for every Christian never to sin again (1 John 2:1a).

 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not…

 

C.   This is where the title for our lesson today comes into play.  We are to do all we can do to resist temptation.

1.    James 4:7

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devi, and he will flee from you.

 

2.    1 Peter 5:9

 

Whom resist steadfast in the faith…

 

D.   A list of things we can put into practice to help us resist temptation.

1.    Guard your heart (Prov. 4:23)

2.    Firm resistance (Matt. 4:10)

3.    Deep knowledge of God’s Word (Ps. 119:11)

4.    Make holiness a way of life (2 Cor. 7:1)

5.    Follow the Biblical models (Joseph, Gen. 39:9)

6.    Don’t make provisions for the flesh (Rom. 13:14)

7.    Keep busy in the Lord’s work (2 Pet. 1:10)

8.    Commit to being a good example (1 Tim. 4:12)

9.    Keep a close watch on your who’s, when’s, and where’s (depart, Psa. 34:14; 37:27; Prov. 3:7; 16:17)

10. Seek assistance from others (Eccl. 4:9; Prov. 27:17)

11. Yearn for heaven (Phil. 3:13-14)

12. Fear hell (Prov. 15:24)

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   One more thing we can do to resist temptation is to read about the Biblical examples of those who did not resist.

 

B.   Judas did not resist temptation.  He betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver.

1.    He corrupted his soul for money.

2.    He betrayed his best friend.

3.    He was filled with grief for his actions.

4.    He went out the hanged himself.

5.    He fell from his apostleship.

6.    He has a name that is attached to the words, “the betrayer.”

 

C.   NOTE: None of us is perfect.  We will still fall victim to sin from time to time.  In those cases, we have an advocate with the Father according to 1 John 2:1-2.

 

My little children, these things have I written unto you that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  and he is the propitiation for our sins:  and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the world.