Walk the Talk | Authentic Faith
Don’t Fall for the Bait
As followers of Jesus Christ, it is inevitable that along with trials, we will also face temptations of many kinds. In order to Walk the Talk in the midst of battling temptations, we need to remember some specific truths so that we “Don’t Fall for the Bait.”
Three lures to resist when battling temptations:
1. The lure of thinking that God is the source of my temptations (vs. 13)
- During trials, guard against deceitful temptations that lure you into believing lies
- Handling trials and testing from a biblical perspective on the outside, will help to prevent temptations on the inside
- God is perfectly sinless, therefore He is incapable of enticing others to sin (Hab. 1:13a; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pt. 1:16)
Don’t fall for the bait…when tempted, don’t say, “God is tempting me.”
2. The lure of thinking that temptation and sin just happen without rhyme or reason (vs. 14-15)
- Temptation happens when we allow ourselves to be dragged away by our own evil desire and enticed (Rom. 8:5)
- Sin happens when we engage our desire and bring temptation to life (Rom. 6:8-14)
- Sin left unchecked (unconfessed and not repented of) will grow and lead to tragic outcomes (Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 11:30-31; Rev. 20:15)
Don’t fall for the bait…temptation and sin don’t just happen. Be alert, recognize the natural pathway of temptation which leads to sin and death, and RUN AWAY! (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 12:1-2a)
3. The lure of thinking that maybe God is not as good as I believed (vs. 16-18)
- It will be very difficult to Walk the Talk if you doubt the validity of God’s goodness (cf. James 1:6-8)
- God’s goodness is unchanging (vs. 17), undeserved (vs. 18a), and unending (vs. 18b) (Eph. 1:3-8a, 2:8-10)
- What God has done, by His grace and goodness in our lives, is only a preview of what is to come (Rev. 7:9-12; Rev. 21:1-4)
Don’t fall for the bait…“for the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Don’t believe the lies! Don’t fall for the bait!
When battling temptation, resist, run, turn to Jesus, and meditate on His goodness to you!
Series Information
