Life Ministries

Life Preservers 4 – In Times of Temptation
2 Samuel 11:1-4 and Genesis 39:6-12

    There once was a little boy who saved all winter long to buy a new baseball glove. Early in the summer he only needed a few more dollars to reach his goal. One night he prayed: “Dear God, please help me earn the rest of the money I need for my new glove…and please don’t let the ice cream truck come down my street!”

    This reminds us that nobody likes to face or battle temptation. However, God does not promise to exempt us from temptation, but he does give us some life preservers to grab hold of when those times come. Those times when temporary pleasure – the ice cream truck – comes along and threatens us to give up that which is much more important and better in life.
    Let’s look at David’s temptation; first of all it says it was a “time when kings go off to war”. What was David doing hanging around the house when his men were off to battle? He should not have been there in the first place. He goes for a walk on the roof of the palace, and he sees a beautiful woman taking a bath. Instead of looking away or walking away, he lingers; he continues to watch; and he flirts with temptation. Soon temptation turns to desire, and desire when acted upon becomes sin.
    Now Joseph was also tempted. Potiphar’s wife was after him. She kept tempting him “day after day” it says. One day when there was no one around, she literally tried to force herself on Joseph, and it says that Joseph “ran out of the house!” Here we see the difference – David flirted, Joseph fled!
    I found a good definition of temptation that goes like this: “Temptation is an excitement of the natural desires to go beyond the set boundaries.” There are several truths to be found in this definition.
1. It is an excitement, not a yielding. Temptation itself is not a sin. The Bible says that Christ was tempted, yet did not sin. It’s only when we flirt with temptation and it becomes desire and we yield or act on that desire that it becomes sin.
2. It is an excitement of natural desires. God created within us desires that are good and natural…but with boundaries. We have a natural desire to want things and enjoy things and do things, but it is the third part that is important…there are boundaries.
3. It is a desire to go beyond the boundaries. I heard a story told of a husband and wife in a mall. A very shapely young lady walks by and the husband watches and stares at her until she is out of sight. His wife then says : “I hope that was worth all the trouble you are in!” God has set boundaries on our natural desires; they are called the Ten Commandments. Satan works with our fallen nature to try and get us to cross those boundaries. He will always tempt us in our weakness. He will find those things that stir our natural desires, and then attempt to get us to cross the line!
    We need to understand that the Biblical meaning of the word temptation means to “test” or “prove”. It also means to “entice”. “When tempted, no one should says “God is tempting me” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire; he is dragged away and enticed.” (James 1:13-15)
    Jesus, the Son of God, had come to “seek and to save that which was lost” says the Word. His mission was incredible! He was to draw men unto himself; give them a better understanding of the Father; and then allow himself to be crucified in their place, so that all who come to him and believe would receive eternal life. He was to be the final spotless lamb that was to be sacrificed for the penalty of sin. Now, Jesus did not live in a bubble…The Bible says that he was tempted just as we are…yet was without sin.
    Jesus was tempted for two reasons; first, he had to be tested and proven. Hebrews 4:15 says “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way.”
    Secondly, he had to be found worthy. Only the shed blood of a perfect human being…the prefect lamb…would pay the penalty for sin.
    Here is a life preserver; 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it!” In my own words I would say that “God will not let us face a temptation that cannot be overcome!” Also, if God will provide a way out, then there is no excuse. We can’t say “I could not help it!”
    God wants us to know that temptation is common to man; but how we react to temptation is what’s important. Flirt or flee? Give in or just say no! We can linger or we can run! We can grab a life preserver and look for a way out!