The Temptation Triangle!

Introduction: All of us at different times and in varying degrees find ourselves in the temptation triangle.

First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but god is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James chapter 1 verse 13:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of god: for god cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Verse 14, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

First John chapter 2 verse 16:

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Application: Matthew chapter 4 verses 1 through 11!

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterword an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of god, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of god. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy god.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy god, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 says that he was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.

  1. The first temptation, the lust of the flesh, was against god the Son.
  2. The second temptation, the pride of life, was against God the Father.
  3. The third temptation, the lust of the eyes, was against god the HOly Ghost.

When the first temptation is overcome, then the others become easier to resist also.

Contrastly, each time we give into temptation, the subsequent ones become harder to resist.

Conclusion: James chapter 1 verse 12:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.


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