Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-016

Sermon Notes: TEMPTATION

by John Edmiston

(These notes revolve around the fact that the actual term “temptation” is not used until the New Testament and then is only used of Christians. To avoid trying to redefine such a commonly used term I am calling temptation in this sense – the Jesus in the Wilderness sense (not the box of chocolates in the fridge sense)

“intense spiritual temptation”. The sermon refers to all the verses in the NIV using tempt, tempted or temptation.)

THE EXPERIENCE OF INTENSE SPIRITUAL TEMPTATION

Matthew 4:1-11

1.. The term “temptation” is not used in the OT. In its most intense form it is a New Testament experience. It is the direct spirit-to-spirit experience of Satan or a demon. It involves controlling the life-direction of a person. People are “led into temptation, carried away” etc. Temptation is having your now quickened spirit misled by Satan into alternatives that are not of God. . Intense temptation is a spiritual experience that often comes suddenly, seems all-powerful then can leave just as suddenly if properly resisted. It aims to “devour” the believer.

2.. Temptation is not sin – it is merely a negative spiritual experience. Jesus was tempted but was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15). Temptation is part of Satan’s war on the saints. But God knows how to deliver us from it. (2 Peter 2:9). Intense spiritual temptation of the saints will characterise the last days (2 Thess 2:9, Rev 4:10-12)

3.. The Wilderness – Intense spiritual temptation often follows anointing. A person with a vision is “dangerous when bored” their mind wants to “get going” on anything at all. Ministry to stones does not seem significant. The wilderness can cause anointed people to chafe at the bit and invent possibilities that are not of God. That this lack of things to think about and do can get us to consider “offers” that we would not normally look twice at.

4.. The wilderness is only for 40 days. Intense temptation is not ever meant to be a daily experience.

5.. “If you are the Son of God..” The ego’s pride in its identity is often the target.

6.. Satan’s most intense temptations are in the areas of our legitimate appetites and most righteous agendas. He works on these until they reach an intensity where we are “carried away” by them. (James 1:13-15) in what is often unreal and intoxicating experience. “I don’t know what came over me..” On the other hand sometimes we can fall into temptation by denying basic appetites in an effort to be overly spiritual (1 Corinthians 7:5).

7.. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak..” Matthew 26:41, James 1:13-15, Romans 7, 1 John 3:9

8.. “Those who wish to get rich fall into temptation..” (1 Timothy 6:9) “Man does not live by bread alone..” Money and unrighteous trade proved the destruction of Satan, Sodom and Gomorrah, Tyre, Babylon, Judas and many Christians like Annanias and Sapphira who “pierce themselves with many a pang” (1 Timothy 6: 6-10). There is terrible destruction in some of the so-called Christian get-rich-quick schemes.

9.. Intense spiritual temptation is so fierce a problem that it is like being devoured by a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8,9) Paul feared its effects on the new community at Thessalonika. It can make the work of God to be “in vain” (1 Thess 3:5) Therefore its more destructive than something that can be quickly patched up with a quick confession to the Almighty.

10.. That when we rebuke the Devil he flees from us “Resist the Devil and he will flees from you..” (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8,9))

Satan is described as “that fleeing serpent..” (Job 26:13, Is 27;1,2; Jer 46:22)

11.. That our main tool for resisting Satan’s “alternative pathways” is the Word of God. It tells us what is true and untrue and which alternatives are “no-go” areas.

12.. That God does not send temptation – (James 1:13-15) but He allows it (e.g Jesus). God never wants to see us destroyed. He asks us to pray that we NOT be led into temptation. Its not a strengthening or disciplinary exercise like suffering can be – its a test of faithfulness instituted by Satan that God reluctantly allows and desperately wants us to pass. Its not on God’s agenda for us. God does not want anyone to be tempted.

13.. God provides a way out (1 Cor 10:13) and a High Priest who has been tempted in every way as we have. (Hebrews 2;18, 4:15) and “throne of grace” that we can come to for help in time of need. (Heb 4:12-16)

14.. The prayers of friends can be a big help e.g to Jesus in the Garden of Gesthemane. There is no extra virtue in “taking it on the chin alone”. God gives us righteous friends precisely for such times and expects us to use His provision.

15.. Prayer is a great weapon against temptation because it aligns us with the spirit of holiness and breaks the tantalising spiritual influence of Satan. “Arise and pray that you may not enter into temptation…”

John Edmiston <>

Editor – Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternitymagazine.com