Assurance of victory

Why do we sometimes feel God doesn’t hear our prayers? How to pray in a manner that we can be assured of answers at all times?

Overview

  • What does the bible say on victory?
  • What is the purpose and source of temptation?
  • What is temptation and sin?
  • What are the steps of temptation and sin?
  • What are the steps to overcome temptation?
  • What is the difference between temptation and sin?
  • When do we actually sin? Along with examples.
  • Which are the temptations causing sin?
  • What is the devil seeking to do? And what God does for us when we  are tempted?
  • What are the ways to escape and how to overcome temptation?
  • Where do we set the limits?

What the bible says

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.”

What is true of every temptation you face?

Common to Man.

žWho can give victory when you are tempted?

Faithful God

Does God remove temptation?

No 

Then what does God do for you?

Provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

What is the purpose of trials and temptation?

James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.                 

Source of temptation

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;

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Temptation and Sin

Temptation is a suggestion to sin, a prompting to do something wrong. It comes to us as a thought in our mind. Temptation can come to us from what we see, hear, feel, or even as a suggestion . Many things can provoke – tempt – us to sin.

Sin can be explained in several ways. But  sin is to miss the ideal God has meant for us and displeasing God. It’s origin is desire (James 1:15)

Four Steps to Sin

 I don’t want to sin. But all these wrong thoughts come into my mind. It looks as if I have no chance to avoid sinYou mustn’t think, you have sinned just because you have been tempted. Actually there are 4 steps in temptation & sin.

  1. The temptation comes into our mind, and we feel a strong pull towards sin.
  2. We choose to yield to that temptation.
  3. We do what the temptation was prompting us to do.
  4. We suffer the consequences of sin.

 

Suppose we go through a different set of four steps ...

  1. The temptation comes into our mind, and we feel a strong pull towards sin.
  2. We struggle against that temptation, crying out to God to save us.
  3. We don’t do what the temptation was prompting us to do.
  4. We have overcome the temptation! We become spiritually stronger!

The Difference

So you see that temptation is not sin.

It is only when we yield to temptation that we sin (Jas.1:14,15).

But we have the possibility of not giving in, with the help of God.

Almost at the beginning of man’s history, God told Cain that sin was crouching at the door, but that he should master it (Ge.4:7).

When do we actually sin?

We haven’t sinned even when we are struggling against sin.

 But we sin when we yield in our heart, that is, choose to sin. For example:

 If we suddenly happen to see pornography and we continue to soak in in, it is a sin. Even if we turn away from the picture but continue to enjoy it in our imagination we sin.

Imagine somebody who did something wrong to us. If we go and let him have it – tit for tat or more – we sin, of course. But even if we don’t actually do or say anything to him but carry on with unforgiving attitudes or malicious thoughts we sin.

What are those temptations?

1 John 2 : 15 , 16

 For everything in the world—

the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes, and

the pride of life

        — comes not from the Father but from the world.

What are three fundamental areas of temptation?

So you see that temptation is not sin.

It is only when we yield to temptation that we sin (Jas.1:14,15).

But we have the possibility of not giving in, with the help of God.

Almost at the beginning of man’s history, God told Cain that sin was crouching at the door, but that he should master it (Ge.4:7).

When the devil tempts you, what is he seeking to do ?

1 Peter 5 : 8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

What does God do for you?

2 Thessalonians 3 : 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Ways to escape

Matthew 26:41  – Watch and pray

Psalm 119:9,11 – Live according to word of God.

– Hide the word of God in your heart

1 John 5:4,5 – Our faith and beliefs will overcome it.

James 4 : 7  – Submit yourselves to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Timothy 2:22  – Flee from the evil desires of youth

Where to set limits? How to kill a frog?

…..one degree at a time.

If you are wondering where to set the limit, you have probably already crossed it!!

You can do it!

Don’t delay!!

You will surely get victory.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are some means by which Satan puts us on a guilt trip?
  2. What are some dangers of taking God’s assurance of victory for granted?
  3. What are the benefits of being able to leverage God’s forgiveness?

References

1. Material is taken from Navigators’ LOAD (Life of a disciple) series

2. Powerpoint prepared by Swati Griffin Salins

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