Memory Verse:
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And 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 that you can stand up under it.

Name seven good things about temptation. It is difficult to use temptation and good in the same sentence. In this study we will talk about temptation and how to handle it God’s way. It has been said by others that the way a Christian handles temptation speaks volumes about his character.
What is temptation? According to the dictionary it is: The desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid. The act of influencing by exciting hopes or desire.

The first good news about temptation can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” How do you feel when you are tempted? The choice is yours to feel, as you want too. The gamut of emotion is huge. How do you feel about the way you handle the temptation? Again you have the choice of how to handle temptation and how you feel about yourself. Do you ever think you are the only person in the world with this temptation? Or have you felt like there is no help for some temptations.

Change your thought patterns to include the following types of statements:
Ø Lots of people know what I’m feeling in this situation.
Ø I’m not the first, nor the last to experience this temptation.
Ø Others have faced this temptation without giving into it.

When we think like this we are building an arsenal of ways to deal with temptation. It helps to know that someone else has, or is dealing with the same issue of temptation. According to
1 Corinthians 10:13 what characteristic does temptations take? It is difficult to get loose and get away from something that has seized you. Temptations are STRONG.

Where does temptations come from? Look at 1 Corinthians 10;13. Where does temptation NOT come from? God tells us in James 1:13-14 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. It is hard to accept that we bring on our own troubles. Temptation begins with our own selfish desires. If you have a temptation facing you now it might be a HUGE deal to you, but someone else has probably gone through something similar and with God’s help has conquered the thing. Usually they are just waiting to tell someone how God has helped them. God can transform the evil desires of our lives if we only ask. Go on the offensive – don’t wait for temptation to get to you, PRAY!

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 God is described as faithful. What does faithful mean? According to the dictionary it means: 1) conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief. 2) Any loyal and steadfast following, 3) Steadfast in affection or allegiance. Deuteronomy 7:9 "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is the same process that we go through with others, the more experiences we have together the more faith we build up in each other. Through our experiences with God at our side our faithfulness grows personally and emotionally. A level of faith and confidence in God is essential to using God’s strategies to fight temptation. Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. This passage is a comfort about the confidence that God can give me. He is the strength of my heart. Romans 6:14 14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. The idea that sin will not/cannot control me is a great confidence builder.

Last week we spent some time talking about excuses. When you are tempted have you ever used an excuse to rationalize it?
Ø I couldn’t help myself, the temptation was too strong
Ø No one could have turned that down – especially not me
Ø I wanted to stop, but I just lost control

More good news about temptations! 1 Corinthians 10:13 tell us God sets limits on temptation. However, He never promised temptations would be easy to resist. As a result of the words in this verse, we know that any temptation we experience can be overcome. God knows our limits and the amount of temptation we are expected to resist. According to Eph 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. How can we be stand strong in the Lord? What is the result of facing our trails and standing the test?

Should we expect temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we should. What steps can we take to prepare to battle temptation? Prayer, avoidance of the situation, using God’s work to seek out the truth of the situation… Why should truth be important to us when dealing with temptation? John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Do we accept the truths found in our memory verse? 1.) Temptation happens to everyone 2) God is faithful 3) God provides an escape. Our greatest vulnerability comes when we are unprepared to handle a situation. Surprises are not fun! I like my world ordered with very little room for big surprises. The daily variances don’t fit into this category for me. For others it might. Begin prepared is the motto of the Boy Scouts. They prepare on a weekly basis by education. How do we prepare to handle temptation? Do we study, go to bible classes, attend worship, lifegroups, fellowship Christians, step out to talk about Christ? Preparation is talked about in the bible.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Matthew 4:1-11 describes how Jesus handled temptation. Why do you think Satan’s first temptation was related to the physical? What did Jesus do to resist temptation? 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."'[1] 5Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
"He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, "In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone."'[2] 7Jesus said to him, "It is written again, "You shall not tempt the LORD your God."'[3] 8Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you,[4] Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."'[5] 11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus faced temptation. He battled. He won. Every time Satan enticed Him, he countered with God’s word. Temptation is one of the trials that will help you mature and grow stronger in your faith. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Obviously, God knows we do not enjoy trials. He expects us to conquer (with His help) and look beyond the trials to the positive changes trials produce. God wants you to see the connection between the trials you face with your character and maturity.

A classical description of temptation is a long dark alley. You are walking and turn a corner and enter the alley unexpectedly. The further you walk the darker it gets. You panic. You walk faster and faster. At the end of the alley you see sin. It is waiting for you. There is no way out. Each steps takes you closer and closer. What do you do? Are you trapped? Is there really no way out? More good news about temptation! 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us a promise. “...But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” All of a sudden you look up, a light, or a doorway opens just a crack to the right or left. Then you see it the big EXIT sign. Just like Jesus you take it. Luke 4:1-12 also gives account of Jesus’ encounter with Satan and how he used the exit signs.

God has promised to provide an exit. He has not, however, promised to provide multiple opportunities for exiting temptation alley. We must learn and try not to repeat the actions that create temptations. We need to learn to look for God’s exits. Preferably before you face temptation, but not later than you realize you are facing temptation, your reflex response should be to pray to find God’s exit immediately. He has promised to answer that prayer.

God is committed to building your character and transforming you into the image of Christ. This transformation is not quick an easy. He wants you to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. You will face trials ant temptations Deuteronomy 30:11 reminds us that He will don’t let something happened to us that is too difficult or beyond our reach. I cannot emphasize the utilization of God to face all temptations. Without Him it would be impossible to face temptations and overcome. The most dangerous consequence of giving into temptation is they can lead to strongholds and if not checked possibly the loss of your relationship with Jesus. The key to resisting temptation is the same you would use in making choices – keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Let the words that come from your mouth and the thoughts of your mind be centered on HIM. Know the weapons He has provided you Eph 6:10-18. Be strong in the Lord and His might power and you will stand firm when Satan comes your way. Be prepared!

The temptations I face are not new nor am I the only one tempted.
Romans 3:23 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all[8] who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

God is faithful; I can count on Him.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

God will not allow me to face temptation I cannot resist.
Psalm 18:39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me

Since I know temptation is coming, I can be prepared to resist.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

When I am tempted, God provides a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

I can stand up under the pressure of temptation.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

God uses pressure in my life to build character.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.