Resist Temptation
Victory – Part 1
April 23-24, 2022
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (p.876)
Trials (from God) – To Help Us Grow
Temptations (from Satan) – To Cause Us To Sin
“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” James 1:13 (p.930)
- Jesus Gives Me Overwhelming Victory Over Temptation.
Memory Verse: “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (p.863)
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.” Matthew 4:1–2 (p.735)
- Fulfill physical desires God’s way.
“During that time the devil came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:3-4 (p.735)
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (p.901)
- Choose selflessness over personal gain.
“Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, “He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, ‘The Scriptures also say, “You must not test the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4:5-7 (p.735)
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”
Mark 8:36 (p.769)
- Wait on God’s timing.
“Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ‘I will give it all to you,’ he said, ‘if you will kneel down and worship me.’ ‘Get out of here, Satan,’ Jesus told him. ‘For the Scriptures say, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” Matthew 4:8–11 (p.735)
“But those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (p.548)
My Next Step This Week: ____ I will focus on employing weapon # ______ this week in accordance with God’s Word.
Life Transformation Bible Reading: Resist Temptation, Page A42-43
Discussion/Groups Guide
Victory – Part 1: “Resist Temptation”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion from the Weekend Talk. This is also a discussion guide you can use with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- Have you ever found a lost wallet? Is it easy to turn it in rather than keep it?
- Or maybe you have been given too much change on a purchase. Did you return it? Why does it seem that some temptations are easier to resist than others?
- What temptations do you struggle with? How do you deal with it? How can we pray for you?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
This week’s One Thing: Jesus Gives Me Overwhelming Victory Over Temptation.
Series Memory Verse: Romans 8:37 (p.863)
Background: The Temptation of Jesus: Matthew 4:1-11 (p.735).
See also: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (p.876); James 1:13 (p.930)
- Talk about the following two statements:
- Trials can come from God – to help us grow
- Temptations always come from Satan – to cause us to sin
- How can you tell the difference?
This week our discussion focuses on the following points of teaching and application:
- Fulfill physical desires God’s Way. Matthew 4:1-4 (p.735); Deuteronomy 8:3 (p.146); Philippians 4:19 (p.901)
- Jesus quoted Old Testament scripture. What Bible verses do you know that you tend to go to when you face a temptation, or some other kind of challenge?
- Would you agree that temptations are often subtle? How have you seen that play out?
- Why is it important to be attentive to the small temptations just as much as larger ones?
- How do cultural norms help or hurt our ability to deal with temptations?
- Choose Selflessness over personal gain. Matthew 4:5-7 (p.735); Psalm 91:9-12 (p.456); Mark 8:35-37 (p.769)
- Satan quoted scripture from Psalm 91. What made this quotation wrong for the situation?
- Talk about a selfless person you know. How do you know they are selfless?
- Does our culture value selflessness?
- Wait on God’s timing. Matthew 4:8-11 (p.735); Isaiah 40:31 (p.548)
- The New Living Translation of the Bible uses the word “trust” in Isaiah 40:31, whereas some other translations say “wait.” How are “trusting” and “waiting” similar? How do they work together?
- In 60 seconds, name as many means of worshipping God as you can think of.
- What are some creative ways you can worship without music?
- How does worship help you resist temptation?
Digging Deeper
- Temptation is something we all face. We can share what we are going through with our trusted friends and Life Group. We can truly live in Romans 12:9-10 (p.866), with real love for one another. When we start to do this, our trust in each other grows and we can share temptations which cause us problems. We can support each other.
- Take time this week to use the following scriptures to help you pray for yourself and for the members of your Life Group (or your closest circle of relationships), that they will defeat the temptations they face.
- James 1:14-15 (p.930)
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (p.876)
- Galatians 5:16-17 (p.893)
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 (p.887)
- Ephesians 6:10-11 (p.898)
- Psalm 119:9 (p.468)
- Philippians 3:8 (p.896)
My Next Step This Week
_______ I will focus on employing Weapon # ______ this week in accordance with God’s Word.
This Week’s Life Transformation Bible Reading: “Resist Temptation” (Pages A42-43).