Sunday School Lesson 11
Temptation
MEMORY VERSE: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
BIBLE PASSAGE: James 1:12-15
INTRODUCTION: In the Bible, the word ‘temptation’ primarily denotes a trial in which man has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God (Gen. 22:1). Secondarily, it signifies allurement or seduction to sin. The latter is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment, that threatens
long-term goals. Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of a true child of God and no one can totally escape from it. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted (Matt. 4:1; Heb. 4:15). This is why the Lord taught us to include in our daily prayer the petition, “And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil”.
- SOURCES OF AND REASONS FOR TEMPTATIONS
God never tempts any man although He may give permission to the devil to do so when he is certain that the result would give be to His glory (James 1:13). In which case, He sets the boundaries (Job 1:1-12; 2:6) The actual sources of temptation are: Satan (Matthew 4:1); The flesh (James 1:14); Evil associations (Proverbs 1:10) and Carnal Christians (Matthew16:22-23). When can God allow temptations to come our way ? The answers are simply: - 1.When He wants to test our faith (James 1:2-3)
- When He wants to test our obedience (Genesis 22:1).
God permits temptation to know the depth of our love and the sincerity of our testimonies that we would obey Him in all things at all times. It is easy to say that we love God and that He can do all things. It is only at the time of severe trials that we can discover if we mean what we say or not. However, in all these cases, God always provides a way for us to overcome (1Corinthians 10:13). Of course, there are temptations that we bring upon ourselves through the lust of the flesh (1John 2:15-17).
- HOW DO TEMPTATIONS ARISE?
Temptations can come through many avenues. We shall list a few of them to know how to watch
out. Temptations can come through: - Poverty or prosperity (Proverbs 30:8-9).
- Discouragement (Psalm 42:11; 1Kings 19:4).
- Pride, the case of Nebuchadnezzars fall (Daniel 4:30).
- Pleasure, that led Demas astray (2 Timothy 4:10).
- Desire for power, that brought a curse on Simon Magus (Acts 8:19).
- Lust after women, that ruined Solomon and caused the anger of God against David
(Nehemiah 13:26, 2 Samuel 11:24). - Love of money or greed for material possessions that ruined Achan and led to the
destruction of Gehazi and Judas Iscariot (Joshua 7; 2 Kings 5; 1 Timothy 6:9-10;
John 13:21-30).
CONCLUSION: To be tempted is not a sin. However, to yield to temptation is a sin.
Further Readings: MON:1 Jn 3:9;TUE: 1 Pet. 5:9; WED: 1 Pet. 5:8;THUE: Matt.2:41; FRID: Matt. 6:13;SAT: Matt 4:1; SUN:Ps119:11