How Should I Answer Temptation?

1 John 2:16 ESV For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.

• Jesus answered the desire of the flesh with Scripture

Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with a fleshly desire, whether it be a sexual temptation, substance abuse temptation, or a temptation to overeat. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the desire of the eyes with Scripture

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 ESV It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. (14) You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you-

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the desire of the eyes, whether it be a job that seems like it will give us, fame, fortune, or glory. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the pride of life with Scripture

Matthew 4:7 ESV Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the pride of life, whether it be a gimmick in which we seek to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes for our own glorification or combating a misrepresentation of Scripture/faith . Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter? Tell the tempter to “Go away!” as Jesus did.

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! ..."

Make Me a Blessing

1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (9) Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (10) For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (11) let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Peter has a hold of our sinful nature…in and of ourselves…OUR OWN VERY WILL

Man says...
     Pay back evil for evil
     Pay back insult for insult

1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. (22) He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. (23) When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (24) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (25) For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

God says to a believer, who has been born again...
    Pay back evil with a blessing
    Pay back insult by being a blessing

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.