When Temptation Comes
October 17th, 2011 Posted in sermonsNo temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, Phillips)
In the New Testament, we have the account of Jesus saying to Peter, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32, NKJV).
Put yourself in Peter’s sandals. You’re sitting near the Lord when He turns to you, looks you in the eyes, calls you by name, and says, “Satan has been asking excessively that you be taken out of the care and protection of God. The devil has been asking for you by name.” I don’t know about you, but if Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said that to me, it would be cause for great concern.
The Big Fish
Peter was such a big fish that Satan himself went after him. I wonder if the Lord paused for effect: “Satan has been asking for you…by name….But I have good news, Peter. I have prayed for you.”
It’s a good reminder to us that when the devil comes knocking at our door, we should say, “Lord, would You mind getting that?” We are no match for the devil. But even though he is a powerful foe, he is still a created being, and certainly not as powerful as God. Even so, we don’t want to tangle with him—or any of his servants. We want to stand behind God’s protection.
Ask Permission
In spite of the devil’s power and wicked agenda, he must first ask permission when it comes to attacking the children of God, because of the hedge of protection that God has placed around us.
God knows what you are ready for. And He won’t give you more than you can handle. We have His word on that!
I am struggling with sexual immorality. I keep making the same grave mistake: Thinking I can handle the temptation on my own. Sometimes I win, most times I don’t. I find consolation in Gregg’s message that I shouldn’t take on satan or any of his demons because I should keep myself behind God’s protection. I am comforted in the fact that God won’t allow me to be tempted beyond what He knows I can bear, and that He is faithful in that He will always allow me a way out of the temptation. I desperately cling to my faith in that I know I am forgiven as a child of Jesus, and that guilt and shame are of the devil, but in the same context keep me from sinning as much as I would. Also, each time I don’t give in, my Love for God increases, because He is my friend and I don’t like to hurt my friends. Thanks Be to God, and Gregg for his website.
I’ve recently been dating a married man and have been feeling horrible about it. Temptation has gotten the better of me. I know its wrong and I pray everyday that I can get the strength to break free of this sin. I needed this message so that I can turn things around for the better.
Yes I also have a problem, drinking wine almost everyday ,I don’t know what to do I have been with the Lord since 1983 and did stop drinking till about a year ago , but please pray for me , I know its no w the way my Lord would want me to live, just need strength
Thank you Greg for this blog. It really opened my eyes, so that when temptation comes, I that God is with me. Be blessed and continue to do God’s will.
I know others must have asked you this spiritual question but… I must ask… do you still have that shirt you are wearing in the hippy video..?? because that thing would be worth a fortune today…
but seriously, thanks for sharing that with the church family. You can see the obvious fervor in your preaching, even way back then. So pure, so honest…. This world is a better place because of you my brother, and I for one, am very happy to know you.
Ron G.
Thank you.
I needed to read that.
God bless you!
I feel really uplifted reading greg’s message on temptation. in reading your response Daniel you made me feel i’m not alone.
my husband and I had drinks with my friend and her husband. She is open to Christ, he isn’t, and I had one more than i should, and I felt so guilty the next day, and felt like i had gone back to my old ways, i think it was satan pulling me down, and using negative situation of her husband not beleiving, to make me feel so many negative thoughs, that i had blown it with Christ
It’s interesting how God reached out to me with this message. Last night I lost a battle with my flesh and I had a drink, or rather a couple of drinks. But it’s true that it’s a decision I made to let the devil take me away from the Lord… I’m feeling very guilty and will pray for strength and repentance. I definitely don’t want to turn my back on him…