NEW LIFE #4
ASSURANCE OF VICTORY OVER SIN AND TEMPTATION
One of the greatest disappointments for new believers, is the realization that we still have an evil and sinful nature. Temptations continue to plague our lives even after we have received Christ as our Savior. In fact, it doesn’t take very long for most of us to discover that we have a new conflict raging in our hearts between our old desires to yield to temptation and a new desire to walk in fellowship with God. The fact is, the believer now has two natures . . . the old nature of sin and the new nature which is really a reflection of the Spirit of God living in our hearts. There is a spiritual battle taking place in every believer: the old nature is still attracted to sin and a new nature desires to walk in fellowship with God.
An elderly Christian gentleman described it this way – “It’s like I have two dogs living in my heart . . . the old “dog” still wants to sin . . . and the new “dog” wants to please God . . . and they are constantly fighting against one another.” His friend asked him – “Which one wins?” The reply was quite revealing – “The one I feed the most and the one I tell him to ‘Sic em!” There’s a lot of truth to that story . . . and we will attempt to show you how to live in victory over the old nature and temptation in this lesson.
WE HAVE AN ENEMY . . . SATAN . . . and the battle is very real:
“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Most people have a very distorted view of Satan . . . they picture him as a Halloween character who dresses up in a red suit with a pitchfork. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible declares that Lucifer (Satan) was the most wise and beautiful angel that God ever created.
When God gave the angels the freedom to choose between evil and good, Lucifer wanted to be like God and led a huge rebellion against the Lord. As a result, these defiant angels (demons) were cast down to the earth where they still roam about as the archenemies of God and men because men were created in the image and likeness of God. (See Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:11-19)
The powers of darkness hate God so much that they pour out their wrath against all of God’s children and they delight in our defeat whenever we sin. In fact, Satan is called the “accuser of the brethren” and he delights in mocking the Lord Jesus Christ whenever we sin.
TAKE THE QUIZ:
#1 Born-again believers have a great conflict raging in their lives because _________ (2)
#2 What is Satan described as? (3)
#3 Satan is like a roaring lion walking about earth to _______________.
WE HAVE ANOTHER ENEMY: OUR OWN SINFUL NATURE:
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be temped with evil, neither tempts He any man; But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” James 1:13-15
Often, when people sin, they lay all the blame on the tempter whose name is Satan. Their excuse “The Devil made me do it!” is not genuine repentance and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ need to own up to the fact that when they sin, they choose to sin. Satan may send temptation our way, but when we respond we are responsible.
Other people want to blame God for all their sinful temptations. They reason -- “If I commit adultery it is because God created me with desires I cannot control.” Again, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone is tempted . . . but when we fall into sin it is our choice and we are responsible for our actions.
The biggest problem that all of us have is not Satan or God . . . but the sinful nature that dwells in each one of us. WE ARE OUR OWN GREATEST ENEMY!
“ . . . but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust . . .” James 1:14
SIN DESTROYS! God gives us a serious warning about the seeds of sin that we plant and the terrible harvest those seeds bring. Galatians 6:7 even warns us that we will “reap what we sow.” We read in James 1:15 – “ . . . when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished brings for DEATH.” I don’t know how many believers I have personally known whose lives and the lives of their loved ones are in smoldering ruins because of sin. Sin is a monster that leads to terrible consequences. Sin is not a friend but a powerful enemy that will destroy us and those we love. We need to learn to hate what God hates!
#5 Who are the TWO ENEMIES each of us have to deal with?
#6 When I am tempted and fall into sin, who is to blame?
SIN NEVER SATISFIES:
The tempters (Satan and his demons) try to convince us . . . “Go ahead and enjoy yourself just this once and you will be happy and satisfied.” What a terrible lie that is! Sin actually awakens the desire for more sin. Jesus said – “Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34
The fact that every sin leads us down the pathway to more sin is pretty sobering. Sin will enslave us and seeks to destroy us. If we cheat and get away with it, it becomes much easier to cheat again. The same is true of stealing, lying, or any other sin you can think of.
Sin also drives a wedge between us and our Savior . . . fellowship is broken the moment we sin and refuse to confess it:
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18
Jesus’ warning about our slavery to sin is ignored by the multitude . . . but the fact remains, the more we sin the more we want to sin! Drugs and alcohol are not the only addictive enemies we face . . . all sin leads to increased sin. That is why Solomon warned us about the adulterous woman – “For her house leads down to death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life.” Proverbs 2:18-19
Becoming involved in immorality is like becoming tangled in a deadly spiders web.
#8 When we sin _____________ ______________. (2)
#9 The more we sin ________________________.
WHAT IS THE WAY OF ESCAPE?
As Jesus was speaking to the people He declared -- “If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The truth of the Word of God is the way of escape. Notice that Jesus said His true disciples would “continue” in His Word. To “continue in the Word” does not mean that you lock yourself up in a monastery and read the Scriptures 24/7. On the other hand, it does not mean that you read the Bible just once and a while and go to church if you have nothing else to do. To “continue in the Word” is to lead a life that is completely devoted to walking with God under the constant power and guidance of the Spirit of God and His Word.
We’ll try to unpack that truth so you can better understand it but one of the first things we all need to understand is this:
“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not permit you to be tempted above that you are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
The first truth we learn from this passage is that you are not the first or only person to be tempted to sin. Temptation is common to ALL of us! Even Jesus was tempted to sin but He never sinned and the Bible tells us that He can help us when we are tempted -- "In that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to help them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:18 You don't have to shrink away from the Lord Jesus Christ out of embarrassement because you are tempted. He understands and He wants to help you! In fact, the Scripture goes on to say that we can come boldly into His very presence and find the help we so desperately need -- "For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16
But there is another truth from 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “God is FAITHFUL” and He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to overcome . . . in fact, God has made “the way to escape!” that you are able to bear it. The big challenge for all of us is to take the way of escape that God provides . . . The very next verse instructs us -- "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, FLEE from idolatry." 1 Corinthians 10:14
One of the ways the Lord helps us is the warning to FLEE from temptations. Don't hang around and think you can overcome temptation in your own strength. The best advise is to get up and RUN! 1 Peter 2:11 tells us "abstain from worldly lusts which war against the soul" . . . stay away from that which can defeat you. If you struggle with alcohol and drugs, don't hang around parties where alcohol and drugs are flowing. The Apostle Paul warned a young preacher by the name of Timothy to -- "Flee also youthful lusts . . ." When tempted . . . RUN . . . GET OUT OF THERE!
#10 Jesus said that when we know the truth, the truth will make us _____________.
#11 When we are tempted __________________.
#12 __________, __________, and even ___________ was tempted just as I am tempted. (3)
#13 When we are tempted to sin, the best advise is to ___________. (2)
GRAB YOUR WEAPONS!
In fighting any enemy, we need to be properly equipped . . . we need to have the right weapons and know how to use them.
The first weapon we need is the Word of God . . . living and abiding in our hearts! Young king David, who had the same battles with temptations that we have, asked -- “How can a young man cleanse his way?” He was asking himself (and God) -- HOW CAN WE WALK IN VICTORY OVER THE LUSTFUL SINS THAT LURK IN OUR HEARTS?
The answer was quite clear – “By taking heed thereto according to THY WORD. With my whole heart have I sought Thee . . . Thy Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:9-11
This passage teaches us three things we need to do:
1. We need to “take heed” or to pay attention to what God’s Word says.
2. We need to seek God with all of our heart, not just reading God’s Word once in a while or going to church when we don’t have anything else to do.
3. We need to hide God’s Word in our heart . . . we need to MEMORIZE God’s Word so that our hearts are controlled by His Word.
Jesus was tempted in all ways just like you and I are. When He was tempted, He quoted the Word of God as a weapon against His enemy Satan! In Matthew chapter four, whenever Jesus was tempted, He quoted the Word of God: When tempted to turn a stone into bread because He hadn’t eaten for forty days, Jesus said -- “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 When tempted to prove that He was the Son of God, Jesus declared – “It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matthew 4:7 When tempted to regain the kingdoms of this world back from Satan without having to die on the cross, Jesus declared – “Begone Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
If the Son of God used the Word of God to overcome His enemy, we would be wise to do the same thing!
The Word of God has the power to totally transform us into brand new people as we read in Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God tells us to “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 To walk in the Spirit means to walk continually in fellowship and in dependence upon Him. Jesus said – “He that abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
To abide in Christ takes us back to what Jesus had said before . . . “If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Our sinful minds need to be totally RE-PROGRAMMED . . . just like a computer! Some once said to me – “You are just being brain washed!” I replied to him – “You are right . . . my brain needs to be washed!” Our brains need to be washed in the Word of God!
Let me encourage you to begin doing this:
- READ the Word of God every day. I have made it a habit to read several chapters of the Bible first thing in the morning before I read the newspaper or even turn on my cell phone!
- HEAR the Word of God. Find a church that teaches the Word of God. If you need a recommendation you can contact us below and we will try to help you find a good Bible-teaching church in your area. You can also find some excellent Bible teachers on the radio and TV. If you search on Google you will find both radio and TV programs such as David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll or “Rejoice in the Lord” which is a weekly TV program.
- STUDY the Word of God. Try to find a good Bible study group you can attend . . . or continue with the lessons we are presenting to you on Bible Discoveries Online.
- MEMORIZE the Word of God. If you were to write a Bible verse on a piece of paper and read it out loud several times a day, you would soon have a whole armory full of weapons to use in your fight against your enemy Satan! If you are stopped at a stop light, don’t just sit there but pull that paper out and read the verse you are working on. Pretty soon, stop lights won’t bother you so much and you will be amazed that you can quote Bible verses word for word!!
- MEDITATE on the Word of God. That is one advantage of memorizing God’s Word . . . it causes you to think about God and His Word. That is what it means to “abide in Me and My Word abides in you.”
#14 What is the weapon we can use against Satan and the temptation to sin?
#15 According to Psalm 119:9-11, what are the three things we need to do in order to overcome temptation? (3)
#16 When Jesus was tempted what did He use against Satan?
#17 Romans 12:2 tells us to be __________________.
#18 What is God's promise to us if we "walk in the Spirit?" Galatians 5:16
#19 What does it mean to "walk in the Spirit?" (2)
#20 What can we do if we do not "abide in Christ?" John 15:5
GOOD NEWS: WE DON’T HAVE TO SIN ANYMORE!
The Bible declares that we were once slaves to sin but when we truly believe that Jesus died in our place upon the cross, we are now FREE from Satan’s legal ownership. When Jesus died on the cross, legally we also died upon the cross!
“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is FREE from sin.” Roman 6:6-7
When Adam sinned, Satan gained the legal ownership and power over mankind. But that power and authority was broken when Jesus died on the cross . . . when Jesus died, we that believe in Him also legally died! Satan’s power over us was broken. We are FREE to NO LONGER LIVE IN SIN! That is why the Bible declares –
“Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Neither yield your members (bodies) as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead . . .” Romans 6:11-13
It took me years to comprehend that truth: When Jesus died on the cross, I also legally died on the cross when I trusted Jesus as my Savior. Not only that . . . but when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He was victorious over sin, Satan, and death and by faith I was also resurrected to newness of life. Not only do we have the promise "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 19:30) but we also have the promise that we can walk in newness of life because Christ lives in us!
To “reckon” this truth to be true means that you need believe it with all of your heart and to put it into action. Remind yourself and remind Satan that you are no longer under his wicked control. Jesus has made you free and you are no longer one of Satan's slaves!
In a practical way, STOP FEEDING the old nature! There are times we need to simply turn off the TV . . . there may be music you need to stop listening to that feed the old sinful nature. Stop looking at porn . . . that is just food for the old lustful nature. Start feeding your new nature things that are worthwhile. Start listening to praise and worship music instead of the old “put your head on my pillow” garbage!
#21 Before we trust Christ as Savior, we are SLAVES to _____________. (2)
#22 What does "I am crucified with Christ" mean? Galatians 2:20
#23 When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was victorious over ______________. (3)
#24 Because of Jesus' resurrection, all believers are _______________. (2)
POWER OVER OUR ENEMY SATAN:
Not only must we use the Word of God as a weapon against our enemy Satan, but the Bible teaches us that we have authority over the powers of darkness in Jesus’ Name:
“Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
- We need to “submit to God” . . . that is, come to Him in prayer and ask for His power to live in obedience.
- We need to “resist the devil”, that is, rebuke him in the Name and Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- When we submit to God and resist the powers of darkness, God says “he will flee from you!” Flee means that Satan and his fallen angels (demons) will run away in terror! They are not afraid of us but they fear God Who will defend and protect us when we call upon His Name and stand against our enemy by faith in Jesus’ Name!
BIGGEST MOTIVATION TO NOT SIN:
The world has a nifty little cliché . . . and the saying is nice . . . but it just doesn’t work. That saying is JUST SAY NO but none of us have the power to put that to practice all the time! There must be a greater motivation that causes our heart to want to live in obedience . . . and the highest of motivations is THE LOVE OF CHRIST. How can we continue to live in sin against the One Who has loved us and died so that we could live eternally in His presence? The Bible puts it this way:
“The love of Christ constrains us . . . that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15-15
Only love for the Savior and desire to glorify Him will motivate us to even desire to live in victory over sin and temptation . . .
So . . . by faith and for the glory of the Lord Jesus, let’s begin to live in victory!
#25 Jesus has given all of His followers authority over the powers of darkness. What two things doe we need to do in order to exercise this authority?
#26 What will the powers of darkness do when we resist them in Jesus' Name?
#27 What is our greatest motivation to be victorious over sin and temptation? (2)
Sorry this was such a long lesson . . . but overcoming the powers of darkness and temptation is a BIG and REALLY IMPORTANT SUBJECT . . . I hope you will spend some time looking this lesson over and making the truths a part of your life!
DID YOU FIND ALL OF THE CORRECT ANSWERS?
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