How to Effectively Resist Temptation

Harvest podcasts between Pastor Greg Laurie are brought to you by harvest partners to receive Pastor Greg free online daily devotions or to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org. Pray Lord we honor you. We exult to we acknowledge your presence with this now. Then we also acknowledge the truth of Scripture, believing that every word of it is inspired and indeed read by you.

So Lord as we hear your word now. Give us ears to hear and help us to know how we can effectively resist the enticements of the evil one. Help us to know how we can stay as close to you as possible so we commit this time a Bible study to you in Jesus name, amen. All right, you can grab a seat there, let's turn our Bibles to Luke chapter 4 and more in our essential series.

What every Christian needs to know in the title of our message is how to actively resist temptation, but I don't think that I need to tell anyone here that summer has arrived while we have the triple digit temperatures to prove it as well and so the air-conditioning is running pretty much full time. The kids are out of school you're looking for things to do. By the way, San Diego now has a children's zoo.

In fact, the two kids tried to escape last week so that this would let you know that but one of the things I love about summer is fruit you know that the summer fruit to me is the best there is. I I like apples and such, but I love all that great fruit that comes out this time of the year like watermelon and sherries and all the great sin. Of course peaches, but especially the nectarine and when I get a nectarine. I like an extra hard, almost crisp like an apple. I don't like mushy nectarine that I love summer fruit, but one of the big features of the summer is the beach, especially when it's hot and so we make our way down there and so the good news is it's great beach whether the bad news is you have to put a bathing suit and maybe you gained a few pounds over the winter and you're a little reluctant to go I got I were board shorts another go down about your needs. Some guys like the worst vetoes. How many of you were Speedo's by the way, you won't admit it with you because if you did, I would've thrown you out. Really, what is the deal with guys that were those I have no idea, but so you know you you wonder should I go on a diet before summer. There's all those advertisements telling you go on this dog will be ready for the summer and and so you get contemplated there, though telltale signs that you're gaining weight and by the way, these are jokes that are coming your way. Don't write me and say you're offended by them their jokes okay are you ready, here we go. You know it's time to go on a diet when you go to the zoo and the elephants throw peanuts that you know it's time to go to the know that it's time to go on a diet when your driver's license says picture continued on other side know it's time to go to guy when you get your shoeshine. You have to take the guys word for it. Thank you.

My son that I've no idea why you do it for her to go to diet when you're a runway model at the airport runway note thing that you know the first service not be harder than you guys that I know I even vetoed a couple that they didn't like and I will tell you is one of the vetoed jokes okay this was rejected by first service to be like it you know it's time to go on a diet when your lawnchair is the law that that's why vetoed a good choice on that veto.

You know it's time to go on a diet when your doctor tell you your trouble spots are Taco Bell, Burger King and Pizza Hut know if I'm going to diet when your blood type is Ragu but here's the problem with diet is there fine until you're hungry. Anybody can go to diet when you have a full stomach. I'm going on a diet right now, but man food is so tempting in using that as a metaphor the enemy brings his temptation in packages that appeal to us.

He knows that a package is where you make bad things look good. That's because things forbidden have a certain charm to think that's true. Things forbidden have a certain charm when someone says this is bad. Don't look at this.

Stay away from that were immediately like a war that's overdrawn that I think case in point. Even at tree that God told her to stay away from more attracted to the thing that we should stay away from. And sometimes when we are tempted, we feel guilty, but you need to know that everyone is going to be tempted. Let me say it another way, if you're not being tempted there something wrong with you is Matthew Henry, who said and I quote the best of saints may be tempted to do the worst of sin, so there's no sin in being tempted. It is not the bait constitute temptation that somebody you have to get into it. The fact is, if you are being barraged by temptation of life that may be an indication that you're doing something why not wrong because the enemy sees you as a threat to his kingdom, and thus he is trying to bring you down. But here's something you may have not considered though none of us like temptation can actually have a positive effect in the life of a Christian it can actually make you stronger. In fact, the Bible says blessed is the man that endures temptation when he is been approved to receive the crown of life which the Lord's promise to those who love him to write up about we learn three things about temptation. We need to know number one, it can be indoor on that later. It can be indoor God will never give you more than you can handle.

First Corinthians 1013 there is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God who is faithful will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Number two. There is a reward for the person who endures temptation because they're in James it says he will receive the crown of my head. Thirdly, you will be a happy person because it says blessed is the man for the woman who endures temptation than the word blessed could also be translated happy.

Now it doesn't feel that way in the moment because the fact is, when the temptation is coming your way… So the happy thing would be to give into that. It's so appealing it's so alluring. But the reality is that happiness comes from resisting and overcoming it. There's an initial euphoria that temptation can bring the pleasure of sin for a moment, as the Bible describes it, but then you find out that that candy coated Apple is filled with poison, that's all temptation works. Martin Luther said and I quote one Christian who is been tempted is worth a thousand haven't." It's also been said Christians robotlike teabag don't know what they're made of.

And so you put them in hot water you in hot water right now are you being tempted you getting hit in this area well everyone's going to face it in some way shape or form. There are no exemptions but working to discover now how to what actively resist temptation. We've all done it ineffectively. We've all given into it in some way shape or form. Let's find out how to effectively do it before that. Let's have a quick review of something we learned earlier in this series and essentials. We talked about what the devil doesn't want you to know that I think this is a good foundational way to begin, we discovered together. Number one. The devil does not want you to know is not the equal of God.

God is omnipotent. He is omnipresent. He's omniscient.

The devil is not omnipotent. He is not all-powerful.

He is not omniscient. He is not all-knowing is not omnipresent can only be in one place at one time, is a powerful adversary but certainly not the equal of God number two, Satan has asked permission from God before he attacked Castro's permission. Why, because God is put a wall of protection around kids kid and Satan has to get the express permission of God before the content. Thirdly, Satan cannot control you cannot control you.

And if you're a child of God. This is important to know because sometimes he will say will I have no choice in the matter. The devil made me do it know it in any me of tempted to but he didn't make you do it you cooperated. You see the temp door needs cooperation with the Tempe. Fourthly, Satan was soundly defeated at the cross of Calvary. There, the Bible tells us in Colossians 3 Christ spoiled principalities or deprive them of power, making an open show of them triumphing over them a decisive blow was dealt against the devil and his minions at the cross when Christ cried out to tell us thy which is translated, it is finished finished as a stronghold of Satan on humanity and for the lastly we can win in this spiritual battle. We can win. All right without a mind, let's talk about temptation working to discover six things in this message number one. Where does temptation come from number two. When does temptation generally come number three go to temptation come to four.

How does temptation primarily come five. Where is the best place to be when temptation comes and sits on. Lastly, what is the primary weapon we need to use Homer being tempted to be reading in a moment, from look for a quick look at the context look for tells the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness.

Preceding this event. Our Lord was baptized by his cousin John in the Jordan River and as you recall, the father spoke from heaven, and said this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, and the Holy Spirit came on Jesus in the form of a dog.

So there we see the Trinity on display God the father speaking from heaven, God the son being baptized by the Holy Spirit coming in the form of a.it was immediately following this blessed moment that the following took place and we read together now from Luke chapter 4 starting in verse one then Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being tempted for 40 days by the devil. And in those days. He ate nothing and afterwards, when then it ended, he was hungry and the devil said to him, if you are the son of God, command the stone to become bread.

But Jesus answered him, saying it is written, you might underline that phrase will be to read it a number of times will come back to it. It is written, Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God, then the devil taken them up to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time in the devil said to him, all this authority has been given to me and their glory.

And I can give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if you will worship before me, all will be your Jesus answered and said get behind me Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.

Then he brought him to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to if you are the son of God, throw yourself down from here. Now check this out, but doubles quoting the pot able, for it is written, he will give his angels charge over you to keep you in their hands will bear you a place to does your foot against a stone.

Jesus answered and said to him, it is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. Heartless deal with issue number one.

Where does temptation come from, where does it come from well abroad since it clearly comes from the devil. But listen, we play a key role in our own temptation.

Satan needs our cooperation in this area for us to give in. Where there is no desire on our part that there is effectively no temptation. I've told you before how I get calls from telemarketers from time to time. They always call it dinner is unintentional. I guess they figure were home and sometimes my wife answers the phone and to be very polite to them all really see Cathy hang up. Don't talk to telemarketers and so the other day the phone rings I answer it and Kathy looks at me when I'm talking Jesus I'm saying really know tell me that again.

She says who you're talking to.

I said telemarketers Jesus hang the farm.

I sit here I click it, just like what was I doing that something is happened to be offering something that was interesting to me and so I wanted to hear what it was was a better day deal on cable so I won't really wall okay you know and that's how it is, the devil sizes is he tries to figure out where vulnerability is any brings a temptation that is attractive. It takes two to make a successful temptation and you are one of the two. Here's the key anchor verse that tells us the five steps that lead to temptation. James 114 to 16.

Everyone is tempted listen when they are drawn away by their own desires and therein ties in with desire is conceived to give birth to sin, and sin when it's full glory grown, brings forth death. So here's how temptation works. The temptation itself comes and says each one is tempted that evil thought knocks on the door of your imagination may be true that opportunity knocks once, but temptation teach on the door every single day, doesn't it happens to the best of us. There are no exceptions. And I might also there is no sin here yet it is not the patent constitutes temptation.

It's the by. It's not a bad thing that you were tempted to do evil.

It's only a bad thing when you give into it, there still a way out here. Every man is tempted the verse continues on in their drawn away by their own desires to know this is the point where the temptation comes when I'm checking it out.

I'm taking it for a test drive. I'm contemplating that I'm trying it on for size. If you will, saying to myself I would never do it but just for the sake of research I need to know a little bit more what makes temptation difficult for so many people they don't want to discourage it completely, bringing us to step number three. You're almost certain verse 14 of James one your drawn away by your own desires and your entire now it's appealing to me. Now I'm thinking about it. I'm almost there, and there's still a way out and you know it the way out sometimes is in such circumstances the door.

It's as simple as this, you see the little red button on the remote control. If you push that that image will disappear.

If you see that off button on your computer. If you push at this.

You see that in button on your telephone push that the conversation stops you see that doorway there with exit over the top of it. If you walk through that you're out of this place and sometimes that's exactly what we need to do. Take practical radical steps in the right direction, but at this point the hook is now set verse 15 would desires conceived to give birth to sin.

This is appointed temptation. We have looked at again thought about it, you contemplated it taken up with a test drive and you said I'm going for something you bite down hook is in and now there's a momentary euphoria.

This is a fun visit. So and then all the repercussions of sin kicking Hilton Morrison perhaps immediate repercussions.

Depending on what it is you're doing and then that dead feeling that comes with sin and then the full effects take place. Verse 15 of James one and sin when it's full-grown, brings forth death and that's when you need to go immediately to the Lord and say Lord I fell I'm sorry I repent and get right with him. Listen we have three enemies that we contend with.

As Christians the world the flesh and the devil the world with its allure is the external fall the flash with its evil desires is the internal file and the devil which is enticements is the infernal fall. These are our opponents.

This is what we deal with on a daily basis. I think the problem is, as we become frenemy's with the world. That phrase frenemy what is it mean well of frenemy is a person that normally you don't get along with but perhaps if it serves both of your purposes. You temporarily become friends. Cora might be a relationship that sort of a love-hate you're on your off your on your off to get it just might be a description of a relationship that is poisonous and whatever your around the person it drag you down spiritually that they become frenemy.

They're not really a friend in reality are an enemy. Some of us to become frenemy's with this world.

Is it we mean by the world when the Bible says a person 215 all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life is not of the world and then the Scripture says love not the world. Neither things generated. If you're a friend of the world your God's enemy and so when the Bible speaks of the world doesn't mean the earth and I were to be going in my beautiful sunset. While that's gorgeous a man love the world's was in the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, I'm just enjoying God's creation. That's up world. The world is speaking of a system is speaking of a mentality that speaking about pervasive philosophy that infects everything everywhere listen to another translation of first John 215 don't love the world's ways don't love the world's goods, love of the world squeezes out love for the father practically everything that goes on in the world wanting your own way wanting everything for yourself wanting to appear important, has nothing to do with the father. It just isolate you from him the world with all of its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out. Whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

Yes, the world is enticing but for its pull the work we must desire what it is offering. The Bible says it's out of our heart that we are to file the answer is not within the problem is with in we have ourselves to think when we give into temptation. It's just our nature reminds me of the story of the scorpion and the tortoise one day there was a tortoise sitting by pond sunning himself and his scorpion walked up, walked up to him and said hello talk this two-story national scorpions all have British accents really bad ones is done by me. Hello there Mr. torches the scorpion said I was wondering if you would give me a lift across the pond the tortoise and the vital things I should do that that's going to see the tortoise speaking because I feel a lot of cartoons with a talk that way because he said he would sting me and I would drown in the tortoise at my scorpion said my did talk this if I were to sting you. I would go down with you. Where is the logic in that truth of the doors all right hope on in their making their way across the little pond and the scorpion pulls out a stinger and stick to them.

The tortoise and the tortoise realizes he's been stung. He realizes are both going to go down in the tortoise resigned to his fate turns back to the scorpion. This is devoid of oilskin something you said there was no logic and stinging me.

Why did you do and the scorpion responded. It has nothing to do with logic tortoise. It's just my nature is in.

That's how it works when we do the stupid stuff we do. It's just our nature. Human nature, sinful nature, why the people give in to the most illogical sense having here's a family goddess plus husband and wife, raising their children in the way the Lord why did that guy go out and commit that act of adultery against his wife and destroy that family. Whether that person over there. Go out and commit that sin. Why do they go with that group of people to do that. Think why did it doesn't make any sense. That's the point. It doesn't make sense. It has nothing to do with logic. It's just our nature, so we have to be aware that the combustible evil, sinful nature that is inside of every single one of us no exception. Using to the problem with some of us as we say get behind me Satan." Sometimes we blame God to God's call to give me more than I can handle anointed James 113 says let no one say when he is tempted, I'm tempted by God. God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone for the devil made me do it knowing that it you cooperated you and look at it you engaged with it all right number two Windows temptation. Generally, Windows temptation generally come brought answer all the time. But here's another way to look at temptation often comes after times of great blessing. When did this temptation, for Jesus right after his baptism in the Jordan River. What a glorious moment, that would've been to observe the have the father speak the spirit come on him in the form of a God and immediately after the dog came the devil and in the same way obstinate doctor. We've been blessed that the enemy can't test it might be right after church.

You know you want God praise the Lord is just learned so much growing in the you get hit. I should get a Bible start to get care with the temptation you know three people just woke up as appropriate. Oh okay sorry but you see the thing is is that it can to often have you been blessed.

We read of of the Lord up there on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah, and as he comes down from the mountaintop of blessing if you will. What is waiting for him, but a demon possessed child and that so-and-so often is after the blessing comes the attack. Here's another thing to consider about when temptation will often come it will come when you think you're the strongest will come when you think you are the strongest to you might say something like I could fall potentially in area a BNC but I would never fall in this area don't say stuff like that. Okay, why not I wouldn't what you mean, you wouldn't you know know what you would do, don't you know your sinful nature yet, don't you know how you you could do the worst thing imaginable.

Anyone could is the old hymn says prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the one I love listening to me, the hardest deceitfully wicked above all things. Who can know what the Bible sets Shiva, Simon Peter, boasting of his great devotion to the Lord that led to its fall because pride goes before a fall in there in the upper room and Jesus said to be betrayed. Peter uses it as an opportunity to set up a date for Boldin are you I will never deny you but if they do that for Jesus and since you brought it up rock for the roosters crow twice, you will deny three times that you ever knew me his ear was that arrogance that opened up the vulnerability and led ultimately to his fall number 300 temptation come to this temptation come to an upright since everyone but the enemy often focuses his attention on those who are young in the faith, and those were making a difference in the kingdom.

Those who are young in the faith, and those were making a difference for the kingdom. Think about the young believers are so vulnerable you know my little granddaughter Lucy. She's still so young and and you have to protect her. You have to watch over her. She grabs things and doesn't know what she's grabbing and she's waving at everybody everywhere, yet also you know she's a little baby, little babies need to be nurtured and loved and protected NBD Christians need the same job you're walking around campus here and you see someone carrying a Bible looks a little bit like the one I'm holding the new believers Bible that would be a good indication. They recently came the cries because we give these out to everyone that except the Lord your walk up to him and say hey how are you introduce yourself.

When did you make a commitment to Christ. God bless you. Let me pray for you.

Let me encourage you. Is everything okay are you doing could you remember when you were a brand-new believer how the attacks came what immediate doubts about what you just did encourage a new believer, but those who are making a difference for the kingdom get attacked as well. You think you can go on and serve the Lord and face opposition you think of you get to stand up and say Lord I'll do it you want me to do ago you want me to go but you're going to get a standing knowing how I'm telling you what a bunch of bull's-eyes are to be set on you at that very moment. Do you better brace yourself, and here's what you can expect opposition to guarantee this, it will be boring but you will be used by God to dented the enemy wants to stop you from doing that. So keep your guard bands. Abner said, quote if you have not been to the devil sifter, you're probably not worth sifting if you would say to me Greg.

I don't remember the last time I was tempted. I'd say what's wrong with you today. What's wrong with you. You don't kick a dead horse doublets against attack them.

They're not doing anything I want to see my attached for this person over here, there really is no minor.

I want to stop that person you see how it works. So for getting attack to getting the tempted that are getting tempted that can actually be an indication you're on the right track.

How does temptation come.

How does it come answer primarily through the doorway of our mind through the doorway of her mind.

Second Corinthians 11 three Paul says, I'm afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent coming cunning. Your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. He'll ask you to just think about it when those flaming arrows of ungodly thoughts come keep your guard up. Paul tells us in second Corinthians 10 five we use our powerful God-given tools for smashing war philosophies and tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse in the structure of a life shaped by crimes are tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction. Fill your mind with God's word come back to this in a moment, I recently filled up the hard drive on my computer I could load any more pictures hard drive full idiot got my computer set was insulting to me. It didn't say that, really, but it was for Lindsay idiot, but amen.

So what I did was I have the hard drive place I like you, I did it myself, but that will never happen. I have no skills along those lines, and so it was done forming a larger hard drive is placed in my hard drive was too full for new information. That's the bottom line would be great if the devil came with a whole boatload of evil thoughts, and he came knocking on your door and all of a sudden the sign on the screen said hard drive full full of what full of the word of God, full of the truth of God. I don't have room for your junk because I filled my morning mind and heart with God's word Philippians 4, eighth and ninth is something that all front, summing it up friends I see you do your best by filling your minds and meditating on things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling and gracious. The best not the worst.

The beautiful, not the ugly things to pray, not things to curse to the problem we have is is will think I agree with that but I know it's going on out there is going to do a little window shopping right told the story before about a girl a wife who like to go shopping and she always bought stop.

She didn't even probably couldn't afford her husband was a little stingy and so he said were you going to get him going down to the mall.

He says no I want to go to the mall every time you go there you by some you don't need pieces but it's so hot honey and the agreed air conditioning. There yeah but you bicep I'm looking to buy anything.

I'm just going to window shop.

I'm just going to browse okay. Don't buy anything. She said I won't so she got out of the mall to walk around and she will buy one store and then a cute outfit on the manikin in the window so she walked in and the salesperson set her up with a fitting room and she tried it on to like, and she bottom brought a cousin said I told you do not find anything. She said I know honey but you don't know what it was like I was tempted. He was waiting in your tempted Jesus, honey, I tried this off and on in the dressing room, and the devil himself appear.

What yes Satan himself appeared in the dressing room. One of the say to you, he said that outfit looks really good.

Are you kidding me.

The husband said we should have said to him at that point, get behind me Satan. She said I did, I did get behind me Satan and then he said he looks good from the back to that's works we want to go window shopping. We want to go browsing and then we end up going down. We hang out with the wrong people in the wrong places and we will end up doing the wrong thing. That is why we want to be in the will of God that brings me to point number five. Where's the best place to be when temptation comes in God's will.

Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness course. Jesus always was in God's will and sometimes we aren't.

We put ourselves in places we don't belong. We hang out with people. We shouldn't hang around with and then we end up doing things we shouldn't do if someone says blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful different notice the progression/regression in those verses. Blessed is the man that walks not in the way of the ungodly stands in the way of sinners sits in the seat of the scornful mercy walking Benny standing in the city. The Healthworks so let's go back to the died analogy again. You know you're walking along I'm on a diet and feeling so good. But you decide to walk by your favorite bakery and as you walk by. Predictably, there's your favorite cinnamon roll on display in the window in your walking, stopping, looking mixing sitting in the vat of dough eating Rado to that's works.

I want to member what will my and then you're in it in here with the wrong people in the counsel of the ungodly in the way of sinners in the city. All we will latch or so of Thai's unit with your Christianity come.

Amen. I would shrink in with one drink at all, just look and listen. Let's go come over here doesn't do the one time, and have a little fun you deserve a break today, you know, this is how it happens and they were in this place was a not I get here during the wrong place at the wrong people at the wrong time. Best place to be when temptation comes in the will of God.

So the devil comes and says that Jesus verse three, the son of God, command the stone to become bread Jesus Lucifer say eavesdropping heard with the father said this is my beloved son in whom I will please yeah you are the son of God. Aren't you the son of God. Prove it right now and turn the rock into a piece of bread.

Jesus had just finished a 40 day fast you think he was hungry. I'm telling you he was starving to death. So it was an area of vulnerability, but have you ever noticed that Jesus never did a miracle for his own benefit.

Whenever he did a miracle it was for someone else.

If he had to get from point A to point B.

He didn't just appear and disappear. That's all I would've done in a vase of the disciples in Galilee is a man, we have to go to Jerusalem knowledge going on me to their just need to their what are you doing Doral to see their negative appeared over there why won't go that distance when you don't have to know to guys going over there in nature, fish, and unleavened bread.

I'm anything. What are you waiting. What is that say In-N-Out Burger never this has even created 2000 years later, but this is my five malt. He never did stuff like that he would do a miracle for his own benefit. So what's the temptation.

Here's what it is oil down.

Satan is saying you know what forget all that spiritual stuff satisfy your needs. Enjoy the moment.

Play now pay later.

It's a temptation to put the physical above this spiritual see. There's nothing wrong with eating specially in this instance it's not wrong to eat to live, it's wrong when you live to eat the wrong to have a career but it's wrong when a career has you. It's not wrong to have a relationship with someone but it's wrong. If the relationship is taking you away from your relationship with God. The ideas keep your priorities in order to keep first things first, and seek first the kingdom of God, not last. Not even secondly that was a temptation we all face that all the time the base if you will, and the second temptation was for Jesus to avoid the cross, Satan says verses 5 to 7 after taking them up to amount.

Enjoy them all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time that all this authority. I'll give you the glory it's been delivered to me.

I can give it to whomever I wish. If you will worship me all will be your it's an interesting offer. What is it mean saying the same look Jesus, I know why you're here and you know why you're here you're here to redeem back that which was lost in the Garden of Eden and I'm telling you what, I'll give it to you on a silver platter. No cross, no blood, no sacrifice, no bearing the sins of the world you want this title deed back you can have all you have to do is worship me momentarily just for me.

That's what I've always wanted to Lucifer, you know what anyone he wanted to be worship. That's why he was thrown out of his exalted position and have any comes to us in the same way nieces you don't need to take up the cross and follow Jesus when just look for yourself.

Have fun your little religion.

Everyone does fire insurance or go to heaven when you dive in that time limit, eat, drink and be merry, but Jesus says if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross and follow me from normal seek to save his life will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake will find it. Yes there sacrifices that will be made.

There are things you must deny.

Satan says don't deny anything. Don't give up anything. But here's another interesting twist on the story. Jesus says in response. Verse eight get behind me Satan, for it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve Satan didn't say anything about service. He said just worship me.

But Jesus said you shall only worship the Lord and him only shall you serve. Why because Jesus recognized that a moment of worship can lead to a lifetime of service, just a moment at the altar can lead to a lifetime of regret. I read an article in paper the other day with her talking about legalizing marijuana in California. I would just like to say I am totally against not tell you why because it's a gateway drug. And by that I mean people that smoke pot smoke weed.

Whatever the current name for it is that almost always leads to something else. And so, in the same way all men are just, you know, try this one time I'll never do it again. Yeah right. Famous last words, just have the one Draco just look at this pornography. One time, so just go ahead if you don't, just in a moment at the altar you go out with that guy or that girl and all you know what one thing leads to another and you have that one night stand that expression correctly one night stand didn't mean anything, meant something to God meant something to the person it should mean something to you and then maybe a few weeks later you go for your routine physical and you have a blood test and find that you have a ball that wouldn't happen. How do you know is here's my point. One moment at the altar, could lead to a lifetime of regret. You will end up serving what you worship. And that is why Jesus would not even give a moment of worship at the altar of the devil, and nor should we now we come to the final temptation of Jesus, the true last temptation of Christ.

Verse nine then the devil brought him to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the temple and set up your the son of God, throw yourself down from here. No check this out Satan's quoting the Bible for it is written, he will give his angels charge over you to keep you and then there again.

They will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Satan was quoting from Psalm 91 verses 11 to 12, but he left a part out.

Yes the devil quotes the Bible when it serves his purposes and he quoted out of context.

The story is told comedian WC Fields, whose whole stick was plain and inebriated man.

He was a comedian and in his personal life seem to reflect his public image because of field was an alcoholic story is told that someone actually saw WC Fields reading the Bible one and they said WC Fields reading the Bible. Why on earth would you do such a thing and Fields responded, looking for loopholes. The devil reads the Bible to looking for loopholes looking for ways to misuse it in your life to misquoted to take it out of its proper context to see and the only response is to know it in its context and be conversant with it so you can defend yourself when he hit you bringing us to our sixth and last point, what is the primary weapon we should use to resist temptation. Answer the word of God. Listen, it's great to carry a Bible in your briefcase or in your prayers. But the best place to carry the word of God is in your heart and you need to know the word of God and you need to memorize that someone 19 nine says, how can a young man cleanse his way by taking heed according to your word.

Someone 19 your word of I Kidner my heart that I might not sin against you call Bible memorization are you memorizing the Bible will Greg I can.

It's just too hard.

I'm not good with remembering things. You are come will of so much information in our brains that brings an amazing thing what it can retain you know that the scores of your favorite team going back 20 years, you know, you know, mindless lyrics of songs you've heard in jingles for commercials. You know the codes for the videogame so you can get the advantage you you know trivia a minutia about people that you admire all this information in your brain that you can pull it will you can quote lines out of movies and yet you can memorize a word of God notes to our Nono. It's doable.

It just takes some discipline but I tell you what when you're getting attacked that can help you remember when we looked at spiritual armor. We noted that there is only one offensive weapon in the Roman arsenal and it's a sort you have your shield, your breastplate, your helmet and the rest, but the sword is what you attack with you. See you depend you deflect close. It was a shortstop sword, but you also attack with swords make progress with swords. You see, and it's the word of God, which is a sword of the Spirit to fight back you got it been yourself know the word of God.

Let me illustrate. Maybe the devil comes up to any whispers in your ear after you said you have sin and God will not forgive you I'm not going to be forgiven under the listener that that's a lie is a no, it is written first on 19 if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our said and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Just like you know say it out loud even maybe the devil whispers in your God condemns you for what you've done know that's wrong.

It is written. Romans 81 there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Touchet use this because you're not going to make it your gonna fall no.

The Bible says Philippians 16 being confident of this very thing, that he was begun a good work in me will completed under the day of Jesus Christ. What about when tragedy hits the devil says your life is over its ruin.

God is abandoned you, Ciano Romans 828 all things work together for good to those that love God, another called according to his purpose.

What about when a loved one dies and the devil says that's it, they're gone, you'll never see them again is a know you're a liar. It is written, Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die and you quote where the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Second Corinthians 58 temptation. It can be effectively resisted. Memorize Scripture stay close to God and his people stay away from ungodly influences in the Lord will never allow more in your life and you can handle. Second Timothy 222 says run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do what is right for Sufi love and peace and enjoy the companionship of those that: the Lord out of a pure heart fully and follow follow the Lord flee from temptation and don't leave a forwarding address no less than what I said this is for the child of God. This is for the Christian Jew, not a Christian I break this to you but you got to go bull's-eye painted on your chest devil can common hassle you and tempt you and kiss you and you have no defense.

Why have a defense. What is it I have a crucifix on my back pocket and I know the devil hates the crucifix know he really doesn't care about is that all well if that doesn't work, I have some holy water doesn't care about holy water. Why got some silver bullets.

I got them from the Lone Ranger early work on vampires in second Rachel playing garlic around my neck. I've heard yeah well that'll keep your friends away and not the devil. The only power Satan respects is the power of Jesus Christ. That's the power we gotta sin because the Bible then you and he that is in the world who is in me, who is in you. If you're a Christian, Jesus Christ is if you're not, you're alone in your vulnerable very vulnerable. So I close by saying do you have this relationship with God.

Do you have this assurance that your sin is forgiven. You know with certainty that you will go to heaven when you die, if not I'd like to close by giving you an opportunity to ask Christ to come in your life and be forgiven of all of your sins. Maybe you feel man I've blown it so much in life. There is no chance for me know that's a lie. There's always a second chance available from God. Maybe you've made a mess of things maybe don't know how to get out of the situation you're in, you just come to God with the tangled mess that you call life and say Lord help forgive me. I turned to you and you watch what God will do. Jesus died on the cross for you. 2000 years ago.

He didn't give into the temptation of Satan. He went to the cross. He bore the shame he paid the price he rose again from the dead and now he stands at the door of your life, and he not says if you hear my voice, and open the door, I will come. Would you like Christ to come in your life right now and forgive you of your sin. If so I want to give you an opportunity to pray and ask for him to come into your life. Let's bow our heads father now. I pray for every person hearing this message. Seeing this message help them become the Lord of they do not yet know you help them to find the forgiveness you offer. In Jesus name we pray, or heads about their eyes are closed and were praying, if you would like your sin forgiven if you would like to be certain that when you die you will go to heaven if you want Jesus Christ to come in your life right now and be your Savior and Lord.

If you want your guild taken away if you want a second chance in life wherever you're sitting would you lift your hand up right now and I'll pray for you. God bless you. Just lift your hand up there in the back of bless you in the middle your God bless you Albert up on the balcony publisher there in the middle of the back of the balcony, bless all of you. Anybody else you want is forgiveness of your watching out in our amphitheater up and the court.

You raise your hand as well. I know I can see you there.

But the Lord does. It's a little step of faith your take anybody else with your hand if you want God's forgiveness today. You want Christ to come in your life right now and ask all of you lifted a hand to just stand your feet, lead you want a prayer of commitment you that razor had stand up right now stand up wherever you are up in the balcony done here in the ground floor there in the amphitheater just stand up up in the court stand up right now anybody else stand your feet, lead Juniper, we are asking Christ to come in your life.

This final moment. Stand your feet. You need to make this commitment or recommitment to Jesus publishes acts what else stand up anybody else. All right all of you that are standing.

I want to pray this prayer out loud after me if you want Christ to come in your life. Pray this prayer now, Lord Jesus, I know in the center.

But you died on the cross and paid the price for every sin I've ever committed. I turned from that sin. Now ask you to come in my life be my Savior be my Lord be my God I choose to follow you from this day forward.

Thank you for accepting me and forgiving me in Jesus name I pray, amen