Understanding the Temptation and Deception in Biblical Context

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin Genesis 3:1-13

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin * The Dealers of Temptation.

* The Dealers of Temptation. - The dealing Satan.

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:9)

14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

1 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

* The Dealers of Temptation. - The dealing Satan. - The dealing World.

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:3-5)

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)

* The Dealers of Temptation. - The dealing Satan. - The dealing World. - The dealing Self.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. (Romans 7:18)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin * The Dealers of Temptation. * The Doubts of Temptation.

* The Doubts of Temptation. - The doubting of God s Word.

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)

* The Doubts of Temptation. - The doubting of God s Word. - The doubting of God s character.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin * The Dealers of Temptation. * The Doubts of Temptation. * The Desires of Temptation.

* The Desires of Temptation. - The desires of your flesh. - The desires of your eyes. - The desires of your pride.

16 For all that is in the worldthe desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16)

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. 4 But he answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:1-11)

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. (Matthew 4:1-11)

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. 10 Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve. 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin * The Dealers of Temptation. * The Doubts of Temptation. * The Desires of Temptation. * The Disasters of Sin.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)

* The Disasters of Sin. - The disaster of shame.

5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, 6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. 7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. (Psalm 38:5-8)

* The Disasters of Sin. - The disaster of shame. - The disaster of separation from God.

1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

* The Disasters of Sin. - The disaster of shame. - The disaster of separation from God. - The disaster of separation from each other. - The disaster of self-justification.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)

In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin * The Dealers of Temptation. * The Doubts of Temptation. * The Desires of Temptation. * The Disasters of Sin.

* Trust God and His Word over everything else. * Recognize and identify your specific sinful desires to better combat them. * Take responsibility for your sin. * Trust in God's offer of salvation through Christ.