Temptation is Common to Man

Text:        Luke 22:39-46

Thesis:     Don’t yield to temptation; Combat it with prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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I. Temptation is common to all Christians.

A.      Jesus understands temptation because he himself was “tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.”

Hebrews 4:15

1.        Jesus calls us to be honest about our weaknesses not arrogant.

B.       The apostle Paul states what God revealed to him.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not allow you to 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.”  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

1.        Common Temptations:

a.       yielding to unhealthy human desires / lust or greed.

b.      Unhealthy means of coping with stress.

c.       In persecution, “bolting and running”

II. Temptation is such a dangerous tool of the devil that Jesus instructs us to pray.

A.      Twice Jesus commands His disciples to “pray that you will not fall into temptation.  (vss 40 & 46)

B.       Jesus prayed often and intensely.

“He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”  (vs 44)

C.     Jesus teaches His disciples to pray in “The Lord’s Prayer.”

“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil or the evil one.”  (Matthew 6:13)

III. Temptation does not have to win.

A.      Be encouraged by the Holy Spirit and not seduced by the devil. 

1.        Die out to old ways and desires by not feeding them.

2.       Be filled with the Holy Spirit.