SERMON - YIELD NOT UNTO TEMPTATION

       Yield not unto Temptation

 How many times have you said the words, 'And lead us not into temptation?' These are words of the Lord's Prayer taught us in our childhood.

 

 Matthew 6:13 ...and don't let us yield to temptation but deliver us from evil.

 

 If you are truthful with yourself you will realize that you allow yourself to be tempted. Risque movies, clothing that reveals too much, too many cocktails, listening to words designed to tempt you,  and any number of actions that weaken your resolve to be a strong Christian. Even listening to a person who leads you to believe that  something that is pleasurable that you know to be wrong and sinful is not out of the ordinary.

 

Often we are the ones to set forth a temptation with no thought of the outcome to another.

 

Matthew 18:17 How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting.

 

Jesus Christ Himself was subjected to Satan's temptations. He was offered all that Satan could think of to get Him to just bow down to temptation. Think about it! Think hard! When you stoop down and allow a temptation to overcome you and fall to that which you know to be evil, are you not bowing to Satan himself?

 

Matthew 26:41 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overcome you...

 

 If you are always conscious of God and His love for you, you will know that He answers your prayer of, "Lead us not into temptation." Though you might have succumbed to something, He will get you out of 'evil' if you are smart enough to see what He is doing.

 

Allow me to expound on that thought.

 

A man is tempted to meet another person for an illicit affair. That man prepares himself for the tryst and presents himself at the appointed place at the named time. He waits....he waits longer...he waits some more and finally goes home. Once at home he gets a message saying, " Sorry, I could not keep our date...something came up."

 

Think about it. "Something came up." You know, I do not care what it was that came up as I am certain God had His hand in the action and was the cause of "something coming up."

 

1 Corinthians 10: 13 ...When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

 

We are always being tempted to do something that is sinful. Lurid advertisements, promises of vast wealth, sexual favors, easy money opportunities. So very many temptations that I could cite example over example and not say all of them. Just like you, I am human. I confess that I am a sinner and I am not the strongest, but I have placed my faith on God and He is with me. Of that I have not one single doubt! 

 

So very many are falling into the trap of constantly pursuing riches. Money...money..money is their quest in life. Sadly I have seen people saying, "I am of God's children, follow me." Then they employ scheme after scheme to gain  the money of those that follow them. They have succumbed to the world and are not only using their words to gain riches but are actually tempting others to do wrong as well.

 

1 Titus 6:9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

 

It is our Christian duty to fight sin. We are not strong as we too often fall to temptation. That is our humanity and that we must learn to overcome. We must place our trust in Almighty God and call on Him when we experience weakness. Too many Pastors and Priests tell us, "Just say, get thee behind me Satan." That sounds good but is not what God has taught us.

 

Jude 1:9 ....simply say, "The Lord rebuke you"

 

If you will read Jude 1: 9-10 it will serve you to gain a better understanding of what is required to avoid temptation with the Lord's assistance at times you know Satan is tempting you.

 

If we truly live the life of a Christian then we can realize success in our battles with temptation. Call on Jesus to rebuke Satan and know that the Holy Spirit grants you the power to resist sin.

 

Galatians 5:16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.

 

(Closing prayer)  

 

Almighty God, Creator of everything, we come to you and praise You for all You have done for us and all that You will do in the days ahead. Lord, help us live our lives according to Your will and as Your Son, Jesus Christ, taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil."  Forgive us when we fall and know that we repent to You and from our sins.

 

Father, we ask that You protect each of us and, as El Gibbor, strengthen us from temptation and the onslaughts of Satan. Keep us aware of Your powers and Your mercies.

 

O Lord, we ask that You send Your angels to protect each of us, our military and our elected officials. Guide our hearts, strengthen us in purpose, guide our loved ones and forever remind us of our duties to follow Your will.

 

In Jesus' name we pray, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.  

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Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com