HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

FATHER JIM FOSDICK

ST. MARY OF THE SNOWS ANGLICAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 23, 2007

Lord of light - shine upon us. God of love fill our hearts with your wisdom. Holy Spirit, bring yourself closer to us in my words and how we hear them, in our thoughts and how we think them. Use this time - and use us to accomplish your good will. Amen.

These past couple weeks as I thought and read about my messages for Christmas I realized there’s a paradox about the Christmas season. At least there’s a paradox here in the US. At one of the two times of the year when as a national culture we focus on Jesus, this is the very time of the year when we celebrate by conspicuous consumption, over indulgence and often short tempers. In other words we OD on sin. The first three Sundays of Advent I preached on preparing, on being ready. John the Baptist heralded Christ’s coming by calling on us to repent… to turn away from our sinful behavior.

I’ve encouraged you to do a thoughtful self-examination and to clear away the clutter that gets in the way of Christ’s coming in to your heart this season. Make a straight path as John says. At our vestry meeting last week I taught about confession and led the vestry through self examination and the sacrament of Reconciliation of a Penitent. So how are you doing with your spiritual preparation for Christmas? It occurred to me that I have spent a lot of time on how to look closely at our behavior without giving any practical advice on what to do when you identify sin that you need to deal with. Our gospel today and the gospels for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all deal with the birth of Christ. But before we’re done with preparing, before we begin celebrating that Jesus has come, I want to spend some time this morning on how to deal with temptation.

Giving you the benefit of the doubt that you have looked at your life and identified some weak points I want us to look at what God has to say about the problem of temptation. You see, whatever sins you’ve identified, the problem began with temptation. It goes all the way back to Adam. We all eventually face it. Sometimes even when you know what’s right to do it’s difficult to say “No”. It IS difficult. Oscar Wilde once said, “I can withstand anything except temptation.” Some say the only way to get rid of temptation is to give in to it. The truth is we give in to sin because we like it…at least temporarily.

The Bible talks about two different kinds of testing. One is called trials. The other is called temptation. Both of them use the same word in Greek—“peirasmos”. Sometimes it’s translated “trials”, sometimes “temptations”. But to distinguish them—trials are situations designed by God in order to help us grow. Temptations are designed by the devil in order to cause us to sin. Paul talks a lot about sin and how it works, but I think James gives the most succinct advice on how to deal with it so this morning I’m going to focus mostly on James beginning in Chapter One. In verse 12 James writes “Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.” There is a prize, a reward, for enduring temptation. First it said “blessed”—happy. Happiness comes from having your life under control, so that there is no bad habit that is devastating you. When you know how to say “no” to temptation it produces happiness in your life. It also says there is a “crown of life”. In the Greek this literally means “life itself”. James says, when you understand temptation, when you overcome it, when you learn to say “no” then you begin to really live. It is a crown which is life—abundant life—itself. The question is, “How? How do I handle temptation? How do I say no when I want to say yes?” James, being the practical apostle that he is, gives us five principles.

The first principle is be realistic. Face the fact: You will be tempted. Even Christians are tempted. All of us are tempted. James says when “When tempted ...  not if tempted...” It’s just like trials, temptations are inevitable. Have you ever met a pious person who says, “I thank God I have never been tempted in 42 years!” That’s what you get when you cross a crocodile and an abalone—a crock-a-baloney. Everybody’s tempted. You’re tempted. I’m tempted. Every day we’re tempted. You never get too old for it. I’ve talked to people in their 70’s who’ve told me about their temptations. You never overcome it by becoming more spiritual. Everybody’s tempted. The more you grow toward the Lord, the more you’re going to be tempted. It’s a fact of life. The reality is all of us are tempted. There’s a misconception that says, once you’re born again you never sin, you’re never even tempted. You are born again so you struggle with the fact that sin still has its appeal. So you fake it and wear a mask and pretend like, “How could anybody do something like that?” We all are tempted. First Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” “Common to man”—that means we’re all in the same boat. We all have the same temptations, the same problems. Don’t be surprised, shocked. Don’t try to hide it. Some of you are caught in a compromising situation right now, but it is liberating to know that other people feel the same way you do. We all have the same struggles and problems.

It is not a sin to be tempted. It is a sin to give in to temptation. Hebrews 4:15 “Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are yet he sinned not.” He was perfect. He was tempted but He never gave in. It’s not a sin to be tempted. It’s a sin to give in to temptation. I meet a lot of Christians who are intimidated by temptation. They think “How could I have such a thought?” The devil put it in your mind; it’s not your fault. You are human. Temptation proves you’re human, not that you’re evil. If the devil tempted Jesus you can be sure he’ll tempt you. It’s not a sin

to be tempted, it’s a sin to give in to temptation. The more committed you are to Christ the more you’re going to be tempted.

The second thing James says is Accept Responsibility. Don’t blame other people for your problems. We love to blame people, even God. Verse 13 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” God does not tempt, but we love to blame others. Will Rogers said you could summarize American history into two great movements: the passing of the buffalo and the passing of the buck. We are in a society of irresponsibility. Blame society, blame the government, blame the environment, blame heredity, blame your parents, blame your spouse, blame the devil, even blame God. Some people say, “It must be God’s will or He wouldn’t have let it happen.” That’s called blaming God. I had a guy tell me, “God gave me these desires and he wired me to have sex with multiple partners. It was his plan for populating the earth.” That’s called blaming God. Don’t make your bad choices and then blame them on God.

God does not tempt. He never contradicts His word. God is not going to tell you one thing and have the Bible say something different. If the Bible says something and you say something different, you’re the one who’s wrong. Be responsible. Don’t blame God and don’t blame other people. It’s a sign of immaturity. The fact is I bring most of my problems onto myself. So do you. We bring them on ourselves. If I’m ever going to break those bad habits I want to get rid of, first I have to be realistic: I am tempted. Then number two, I’ve got to be responsible. I quit passing the buck and making excuses.

The third thing James says is be ready. Now that’s an Advent message. Be ready. When temptation comes, be ready. Be prepared for it. Peter says, “Be on your guard.” Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.” Paul said, “Put on the whole armor of God”. Be ready. Be prepared.” Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Don’t be deceived my dear brothers...” We need to be ready and prepared for temptation.

Temptation does not warn you in advance. One of the reasons it’s a temptation is because you don’t even know it’s there. It catches you by surprise. You’ve got to be ready and on your guard. We are most vulnerable after a tremendous success. We think we’re doing OK. The Bible says, “Let him who thinks he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” My grandmother Boswell used to say pride goeth before a fall. That’s from Proverbs 16. James is saying, “Be ready, don’t be deceived.”

How do you prepare for temptation? How do you get ready for it? By understanding how it operates. In II Corinthians 2:11Paul writes “In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.” God wants you to know how the devil operates, how he tempts. The only thing you can say about the devil that’s good is this: he’s consistent. He’s been using the same old bag of tricks for 2000 years and longer. It’s very easy to discover his process. Temptation is a process, never just a one-time act.

James outlines the four steps that the devil uses in order to tempt you.

1.         Chapter 1 verse 14 “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires...”—the first step of temptation is desire. It’s an inside job. Most desires are OK. You couldn’t live without desires: a desire to eat, drink, sleep, the sexual desire within marriage, to achieve. God gives us these desires. They are good desires. They are good gifts. But any desire out of control becomes destructive. Satan loves to take routine desires and turn them into runaway desires. You are consumed, obsessed by it: food, work, having fun, sex, money. Legitimate desires, but when they are out of control they become a problem.

Temptation is like steel in a magnet. There’s an inward and outward part. There’s an outward circumstance. But there’s an inward drive, desire. If it wasn’t for the inward desire you wouldn’t be tempted. It starts on the inside. It’s often the fulfillment of a legitimate desire in the wrong way at the

wrong time. It always starts with the desire.

2.         The second step is deception. “He is dragged away and enticed ...” James uses a couple of terms from the sports world. The word “dragged away” is a hunter’s term which literally means “snared in a trap”. “Enticed” is a fisherman’s term which means “lured by bait”. Here in Eagle River we know a little about fishing and having the right bait is crucial to success. How many fish will you catch with a bare hook? How many bluegills will you catch with a 12” sucker? Or how many muskies on a meal worm? You’ve got to have bait, and the right kind of bait for the right kind of fish. What kind of bait does the devil use on you? He knows your hot button. He knows your weakness. He knows you inside and out. He knows what turns you on. He knows what you will fall for. He hides his hook in his bait and the bait appeals to your weakness. The crazy thing is that often we see the hook and we know it’s a temptation but we keep right on nibbling. We say to ourselves I know what I’m doing. I’m an adult. I’m not going to get hurt. I know how far to go.” And that person is deceived. They’ve gone to step two—from desire to deception. It always starts with the desire. Then Satan moves to deception. Temptation always looks better than it really is. Desire turns to deception and deception turns to disobedience.

James says the third step is     Disobedience. “Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin.” What begins in your mind results in an action. It starts in your imagination. The battle starts with your thoughts. It moves from your thoughts into actions. First the devil gets your attention, then he gets you to have an attitude, then he gets you to commit the action. He knows if he can get your attention he will eventually get you to commit the action. People say, “What’s the danger in a harmless fantasy?” What starts in your mind eventually comes out in your life. It always begins in the imagination. What you flirt with, you will fall for. That’s the whole purpose behind television advertising. They try to get you to imagine something. They know if they can get it in your imagination they’ve got you. If that didn’t work nobody would advertise. We’re silly to think that’s not true. You think you haven’t done anything but you have. The Bible says what starts in your mind eventually comes out in your lifestyle. Desire leads to deception, deception leads to disobedience. Disobedience leads to death.

The fourth step is Death. “Sin, when full grown gives birth to death.” That’s the tragic consequence of giving in. That’s what losing the battle causes—devastating results. What is death? The exact opposite of living. If you overcome temptation you get the crown of life, but the wages of sin is death—spiritual separation from God. James says we are free to choose any way we want to live. I could choose any way I want to live and so can you. God gave me the freedom of choice. I could choose to live any way I want to. But I am not free to choose the consequences of the choices. I am free to have my kicks, but I am not free to eliminate the consequences. In order to overcome temptation, in order to break a bad habit, first I’ve got to be realistic, and admit I

have a problem. Then I’ve got to be responsible and not blame anybody else and quit making excuses. Then I get ready by understanding what happens during temptation so I can learn how to avoid it. All of a sudden in verse 17, James switches gears. He starts talking about the goodness of God. It looks like he forgot what he was talking about, kind of like me—at first. Verse 17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.” James is talking about temptation then all of a sudden he redirects our thoughts to the goodness of God. First he’s talking about something negative then he’s talking about something positive. He’s refocusing our attention on something else. Why? Because that’s the next step in overcoming temptation. Be realistic, be responsible, be ready, be refocused.

Four…be refocused. I remember learning this at a Promise Keepers with my son Chris. They said lust begins with the eyes so when we see someone on the street or in a movie that gives rise to lust they said bounce your eyes. Look somewhere else. Refocus. Focus on something good and wholesome. If temptation begins with our inner thoughts then changing what we think about is the key to overcoming it. This is the principle of replacement, the key to overcoming temptation. The key to overcoming temptation is not to fight temptation but simply refocus your thoughts. Change your attention. Turn your attention on something else. Shift your thoughts. Change your mind. Refocus. Instead of looking at

what you’re being tempted by, just look somewhere else. Refocus. Philippians 4:8 says “Think on these things, things that are good, positive, just, honest.” Focus your mind on the goodness of

God. Why? Because the more you fight a feeling the more it grabs you. Don’t think about a pink elephant. What are you all thinking about? A pink elephant. Don’t focus on what you don’t want. Focus on what you do want. Turn your attention. Be refocused. Get your eyes off the negative. They taught me this in golf school. Don’t focus on not hitting the ball in the water. You will. Visualize the ball going up in the air over the water and landing on the green next to the pin.

In a spiritual sense, Get your eyes on the goodness of God. Are you a chronic worrier? It’s because you’re doubting the goodness of God. Whatever gets your attention, gets you. Whatever you resist, persists. Stop fighting it, just refocus. Turn your back on it. How do you get out of depression? Not by looking at what you are and telling yourself what you are. That never changes you. Focus on what you want, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It’s a choice. “I will bless the Lord at all times ... His praise will continually be in my mouth ... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Get God’s word in your mind and refocus. Quit fighting the feeling. What you resist, persists. You can’t fight a feeling. But if you ignore it, you weaken it. Don’t try to argue with the devil. He’s a lot better at it than you are. He’s had thousands of years of experience. When temptation calls, don’t answer. Then forget it. When you refocus, it may mean physically removing yourself from the situation. Rick Warren says If you don’t want to get stung, get away from the bees.

Maybe you need to change the channel on the TV. Maybe you need to block some channels. Maybe you need to walk out of that movie. Maybe you need to change jobs. Joseph was in a tempting situation and he left his coat and ran. If you have to leave your coat, leave your coat. Walk out. I Corinthians 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character.” This is why my parents used to pay attention to who my friends were. You know your weakness and God does too. Maybe you need to be redirected. “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of

first fruit of all that he created.” He’s not talking about physical birth. He’s talking about being spiritually born. A rebirth. Starting over with God.

James fifth step is to be born again.  The single most important principle in breaking bad habits and getting control of your life is to let God have control of it. Get Him in your life so He can start changing your character. Being born again gives you a new capacity to resist temptation. You don’t have enough power in your own willpower. That’s why you keep falling. You need some supernatural power. You need Jesus Christ in your life. That’s what it means to be reborn. It means you get a fresh start on life. Again my personal scripture verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Are you in Christ? Ask Christ in. Ask Him to make the changes and give you the power you need to do what you know is right to do anyway. You will not be able to say no to temptation until you first learn to say yes to God. You need His power in your life. You need to not only be redirected and these other things but you need to be reborn. That’s the starting point. Then you’ll have more than just your own power.

What is your most vulnerable area this morning? What is your weak spot? God knows it. The devil knows it. Have you ever figured it out? If you haven’t, you need to because once you’ve figured out where you’re weak you will know when and where you’re most likely to fall and you can avoid it. It’s stupid to put yourself in situations that will automatically tempt your weakest area. It’s like an alcoholic going to a bar. Where are you vulnerable? Be realistic about the problem. Where do I have a lack of self- control? Is it my temper? Is it my appetite? Is it spending? Is it my words—I’m continually talking all the time and say things I later regret? Is it drinking? Is it cocaine? Drugs? Is it lustful thoughts? What is the area that Satan knows is my hot button and he’s always baiting me in that area? Figure it out and then admit it to God. Say, “God, You know the areas I’ve fallen in. I’ve stumbled. I want a clean slate. I want to start over. Get free of the past. Get forgiveness. That’s available. Then salvation is the first step in victory over temptation. Ask Christ to come into your life and give you the power.

I Corinthians 10:13, “God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.” What a

great promise! God never puts more on you—He never allows more on you—than He puts in you to handle it! You say, “I just couldn’t help myself!” That’s true but God could’ve helped you.  “It was too strong of a temptation, I just couldn’t help myself!” God says that is not true. You’re just depending on yourself instead of depending on Him. God says, “I will make a way out if you trust Me.” The fact is there is hope and you can change if you want to and if you’ll let Christ change you from the inside out. There is a way out if you trust in Him. You can’t pray in the Lord’s Prayer “Lead us not into temptation” if, at the same time, you’re flirting with temptation. You’ve got to co-operate. Some of you are flirting with temptation in many different areas. Satan is baiting a trap for you, and you know it.

What is it that you want in your life so badly that you’re willing to compromise in order to get it? Money? A promotion? A thrill? Confess it to God. The time to deal with temptation is right at the start. When it starts in the desire stage, nip it in the bud. Martin Luther said, “We cannot keep the birds from flying over us, but we can keep them from making a nest in our hair.” You cannot live in a temptation free world. It’s all around you. It’s not a sin to be tempted. So don’t be intimidated by it. It is a sin when you begin to dwell on that temptation and think about it so that it eventually begins to take form in your life and heart.

Let me suggest some resources you need in order to fight temptation:

1.         Fellowship with other Christians. You will not make it if you do not have fellowship with other Christians. We were not meant to fight the battle by ourselves. Get involved with some Christian

friends. Get involved in a Bible study, a small group. Find a place where you can share, meet some friends, then begin to share on a gut level. Share the problem you’re struggling with. Get an accountability partner who will ask you how you’re doing. I have this with my pastors group that meets every Tuesday and I have two accountability partners. We are all in the same boat. Temptations are common to man. When you’re able to talk about a problem you are able to get control of it. If you hold it in and you don’t tell anybody, it just gets worse and becomes something that scares you to death.

2.         Get into God’s word. The Bible is our secret weapon against temptation. It is the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Do you want to be free from that bad habit? Fill your mind with the Bible. Refocus on it. Instead of thinking about what’s getting you down, read the one thing that can lift you up…God’s word. Get your mind on what’s good, whatever is true, and just and holy. Study it, memorize it,

meditate on it. Fill your life with it and get into a Bible study. If you know the truth it will keep you from being deceived. If you want to know how Satan attacks, study the Bible. What is the payoff? “Blessed is the man who endures temptation…another translation would be happy. Happy is the man who endures temptation... (it’s that good feeling of

self-confidence and self-esteem because you realize you’re not being controlled by anything except the Lord) ... when he is tried he shall receive the crown which is life... (you begin to enjoy the abundant life) ... which the Lord has promised to them that love Him.”

3. Pray      You may be struggling in an area which has been bothering you for years. What is your weakness?

What is your hot button? Where does Satan bait you? Pray, “Lord, you know what it is. I’ve got a tendency to ... exaggerate, be double-minded, not to stand up for what I know is right but be

wishy-washy, always worry about what other people think, become sarcastic and say some hurtful things to my wife/husband. I’m insensitive to the needs of my spouse. I tend to be selfish. There is

something in my life that is out of control. My time is out of control, Lord. My spending is out of control. My weight, my exercise. My lust is out of control. I just keep falling in this same area and I feel bad about it.” Just confess it to Him. He knows you. He loves you. He’s not going to condemn you. He wants to forgive you, wipe the slate clean. He wants to start over today. That’s why He brought you here this morning. Say, “God, I want to be realistic about this. It is a problem in my life. I drink too much...or I look at things on the internet that I shouldn’t… or whatever.” Admit it to Him. Accept responsibility. Don’t blame your parents, your spouse, your boss, anybody. Admit there is a weakness. There would be no outside temptation if there were no inward drive that matches it. Be ready. Pray Lord, help me to study Your word so that I’ll know how the devil tries to get at me. Help me to recognize my areas of weakness and avoid them. Help me to refocus on You, to fill my mind with the good things, the true things, the right things, not to resist my feelings but to replace them with what You have to say. Most of all, if you’ve never opened up your heart to the Lord, do it this morning. Say, “Jesus Christ, I want to be reborn. I want a fresh start on life. Would you forgive all the sins I’ve ever committed and help me start over today.” He will. That’s why He died on the cross for you. Say, “Jesus Christ, come in and be the Lord and Controller of my life.” He will. “Lord, You promised to make a way out of these temptations. Give me the strength.” Some of you need to break off a bad relationship. Some of you are flirting in the wrong areas. Say, “Lord, help me to quit compromising. Help me to do what’s right.” And He will help you, if you come to Him with an open and sincere heart and say, “God, You know all about me. I can’t fool You. Help me get victory over this temptation.”

Lord, I want to thank You for anyone you helped today in their struggle with temptation. Thank you too for anyone who prayed to make you the Lord of their life, opening their hearts for the very first time, saying they want You in their lives. Help us as a church to help them. In Jesus’ name.

Amen.