Turning Temptation into Triumph

Main Thought

We’ve all been tempted. There’s no avoiding it. Sometimes it’s something small, like eating a delicious dessert while trying to eat healthy. Other times, it may be something more significant and harmful leading to feelings of guilt and regret. The bible uses the word “temptation” and “trials” interchangeably. As strange as it sounds, temptation in itself is not wrong. God sees these moments as trials and an opportunity for our spiritual growth. At the same time, the devil sees these moments as an opportunity to cause you to fail creating separation between you and god. The end result, positive or negative, depends on your response. The good news is Jesus himself, knows what it’s like to be tempted. He also overcame the temptation and makes it possible for us to do the same.

Main Passages

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Matthew 6:9-13

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.’” 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.’” 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 Go and him only shall you serve.’”
- Matthew 4:1-10

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
- Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)

Discussion Questions

  1. What stood out from the main thought and the main passages above?

  2. According to the passages above, what are some weapons that we can use when we face temptation? What other tools not mentioned above, do you find helpful when experiencing temptation?

  3. What area of testing or temptation are you believing God to give you victory over? What steps can you take to put yourself in a position to win in this area this week?