Victorious over Temptation

Background Scripture: Luke 4
Lesson Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Introduction

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23).

The deep truths in this verse can be further developed into several points. These underline the importance of studying and acquainting ourselves with biblical principles.

1. The truth is something of serious value. It is valuable because with it we are able to discern our own spirits, what is right and what is wrong, and that which will lead us into error. Only by having the truth can we enjoy the safety and security of the church we know and love and the peace and happiness of a Christian home and experience freedom and liberty in Christ.

2. The truth must be purchased; it is not something available for free. It has come at tremendous cost for Christians in past ages. They gave their very lives for ascertaining their belief in Jesus’s teachings. Buying the truth means selling all that we have (Matt. 13:44). Knowledge, enlightenment, and entertainment come at much lower cost, and many are willing to trade for some cheap imitation of a worldly minded gospel.

3. The truth can be merchandised. How lightly some esteem its commodity! It can easily be traded for a personal opinion, feeling, or agenda, and it often is. Only too late will some realize the actual loss of a poor exchange. The people of God have become used to possessing the truth, but the pressure is on to sell and speculate on a substitute. As we reach outside for knowledge, answers, and information, we easily can become enticed into selling the truth for a bit of worldly wisdom, philosophy, and counsel.

Has something shifted in not only how we value but in what we value? By reaching for answers or fulfillment from the world, which we are so clearly called out of, we will find ourselves coming out losers in the trade every time.

How about making Sunday school our own “board of trade” where we can buy the truth from our brethren and they from us? By doing this, everyone will leave showing a gain and profit on their books.

We will be studying primarily from Luke for this quarter of lessons.

Victorious over Temptation

Lesson 1

December 1, 2024

Background Scripture: Luke 4

Lesson Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Introduction

Within every temptation is a seed of sin along with something we recognize as attractive. A temptation can remind us of something we do not have, something we lack.

Many of the constraints that try our hearts and the attractions that test our loyalties can also remind us we are created by God for a purpose beyond our basic selfish desires. Although we are created for a purpose here, we also have a final destination to consider. The promise of heaven is the glorious fulfillment of a realm where there will be no temptation.

With a stern, soldier-like determination coupled with the patient trust of a child, let us await the Father’s promises. Tomorrow’s success is dependent on the victory of today.

Key Verse

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 (1 Cor. 10:13).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Despite a display of God’s power, a special infilling of renewed faith, or a miraculous affirmation of God’s presence, we still sometimes fail miserably. Is this because we take some credit to ourselves?

After Jesus’s baptism, God affirmed that Jesus was his beloved Son in a public announcement from heaven. From this sacred place, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness. Then, as now, a wilderness is an uninhabited, inhospitable place. It is not a comfortable or pleasant place to be and not conducive to pleasant, easy living. He was tempted in the same way we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

Jesus went into the wilderness alone, where He was subjected to Satan’s concentrated efforts of temptation for not only a day or two but forty. Jesus most certainly endeavored to keep his mind and heart with God, his Father. In the absence of food, water, and shelter, Satan, knowing what was at stake, put every effort into tempting Jesus.

Satan challenged Him with these cutting words: “If you are the Son of God.” In essence, he said, “Satisfy your own physical needs first. The world needs your ability to provide for their material needs. Should you not show the people they can trust you?”

Satan offered Him the admiration of the whole world without the humiliation necessary in God’s plan of salvation. Jesus could still “save” the world but in a different way and on his own terms.

Satan tempted Jesus with a delightsome experience of displaying his ability to defy death. Did not Jesus have supernatural power, and should He not impress this upon mankind?

After forty days of struggling with Satan’s temptations and not having any food, Jesus’s morale, energy, and thinking ability were surely weakened. The devil had bombarded Jesus with deceit and twisting of Scripture.

What is truth? Jesus countered each confusing temptation with God’s Word.

Practical Truths for Today

Human desires today are without number. What is your greatest desire? Where will it be filled?

After Jesus’s own temptation experience, He could assuredly promise that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. Providing our families with food, clothing, and shelter takes great effort. We are tempted to put more importance on satisfying our hunger for material things than on God and his kingdom. God’s kingdom must be first in priority, and He will supply all of life’s necessities.

We pray for the nations to come to a saving knowledge of God’s salvation and yearn that all people come to faith in Christ. We are tempted to assume that God would not make us responsible to tell a stranger or a friend of his salvation. We know it is to be told simply, humbly, and in weakness, but we may think there are others who can do this easier and more effectively. Let God’s kingdom come to earth by an easy way. No! We must counter this temptation with God’s Word, which tells us we will be held responsible for not being faithful to stand in the gap.

We are tempted to fear danger, harm, and accident. We pray for easy, risk-free lives and consequently are tempted to put our own life as more important than God’s requests. We want a God who will keep us and our children safe and healthy but forget we have promised God our lives, our children, our everything. We are tempted to go back on the unconditional surrender.

Where is victory found over temptation? Temptations provide opportunity for us to exercise choice. We have the privilege to ask God for wisdom in choices involving attitudes, purchases, relationships, thoughts, habits, default mindsets, etc. God gives his wisdom and will never criticize us for asking (James 1:5).

A temptation is usually something that we suspect is wrong or unwise. We consider the idea because it has an element of good to it or awakens a desire within. We may know it is wrong but struggle with the idea that God has decreed it wrong for me, yet we want it anyway. Temptations, like weaknesses, are not sinful in themselves. Only when we give in or indulge in them are they sin. The things that tempt us can make us aware of our evil, carnal nature, but if we dwell on the forbidden, it will eventually be our downfall.

We are tempted to say things that shouldn’t be said or to think negative thoughts. Sometimes we think too highly of ourselves and other times too negatively. These thoughts take us from God and will cripple and destroy us.

Let us be content in God and rest in Him. It is a worthwhile effort to exercise faith in God and his Word. Find God’s promises in his Word and then practice loving God, thanking Him, and waiting on Him.

Face your fears and give them to God. When you find yourself lonely, talk to God and renew your relationship with Him. In persecutions, we are tempted to find an easier way. Great victories are often costly. Impatience invites temptations, and pride attracts them, so be humble before God. Humility loves and trusts God and puts his order and command above personal desire. Temptations have little influence on a humble person.

Let us give our needs, sorrows, and ambitions to God, and let Him fill us with his love so our lives resound with his promises and song. Let us not focus on ourselves and what we don’t have but on God and what He blesses us with. Faith trusts that God has our best in mind. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11).

There is a time to face temptations head on, strong in the Lord and protected by his armor (Eph. 6:10-18). There is also a time to give places, things, or people of negative influence a wide berth. Had Adam and Eve only made certain to stay miles from that tree, how differently their ending might have been. Be aware of the powerful and awful grip sin can have in a weak moment, but also be aware of the incredible influence and redemptive power in God’s Word.

Questions

1. Do our fleshly desires tempt us, or is it Satan?
2. Does being aware of our weaknesses give us an excuse for falling, or does it enable us to avoid falling?
3. Do we ever shield our weaknesses from God’s grace, light, and victory?
4. Can we expect complete victory over temptations?
5. Discuss: A weakness or temptation confessed allows others to help us stand strong and indicates our seriousness to crucify the flesh and be a victorious Christian.

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).