When you think about temptation, what are some things that come to mind? What are some of the objects or things that tempt you the most?
Battling our temptations can be difficult, and while they can lead us to do something wrong, we do not have to be trapped by them.
Today, we’re looking at the temptation to hide what is real. For example, we can create filters when we post on social media. We can post what we want, and control what others see.
When we are tempted to take control of what other people know about us or see, we also hold ourselves back from building trust.
EVERYONE IS SUBJECT TO TEMPTATION.
MATTHEW 4:1-11 NLT [1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. [2] For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. [3] During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." [4] But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" [5] Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, [6] and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.' " [7] Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD your God.'" [8] Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." [10] "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'" [11] Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
TWO PROBLEMS IF JESUS CHOOSES TO FALL TO THESE TEMPTATIONS:
ONE / IT SHOWS HE DOES NOT TRUST THAT GOD CARES ABOUT HIS LIFE.
The devil is telling Jesus, “You must take control of your life, because God won't come through.” But that's not true. Satan is filtering the truth. When we face temptations, it's a temptation to sin, and the devil shifts what's true and what is not.
TWO / IT CREATES A FILTER THAT PREVENTS OTHERS FROM SEEING HIS TRUE SELF.
Think about Adam and Eve. As soon as they ate the fruit and fell to temptation, they covered themselves up. They put a filter over their true selves and separated themselves from God's blessings.
DON’T DO LIFE ALONE
You are not alone when going through life and facing temptations. So, what do we do?
ONE / GO TO CHURCH AND HANG WITH OTHERS WHO FOLLOW CHRIST.
TWO / SPEND TIME IN GOD’S WORD & WORSHIP
THREE / START TO NAME THE TEMPTATION IN YOUR LIFE
Identify the lie and call it out. Don't be worried if you struggle – Jesus did – but instead of ignoring it or embracing the temptation, allow God to help you.
We must remember that God has an unfiltered love for us, saying, "It doesn't matter what you've done or who you are; you are loved."
When we fall into temptation, we buy into the lie we need to take control of life. Instead, falling into temptation will end up putting filters on our lives that prevent us from experiencing a full and fantastic life.
FILTERED TRUTH PREVENTS US FROM KNOWING GOD'S UNFILTERED LOVE FOR US.