The Struggle With Temptation
Temptation is an enticement to take a God-given desire beyond our God-given boundaries, but with God's help, we can control and refocus our feelings of temptation.
Charles Stanley delves into the concept of temptation, explaining that it is the enticement to exceed the boundaries of God-given desires. He emphasizes that God has instilled in us natural desires for food, intimacy, and relationships, but the challenge arises when we misuse these desires outside of God's intended boundaries. Stanley highlights the importance of recognizing that feelings of temptation can be controlled, refused, and redirected towards healthier activities, reassuring that God will not abandon us in the midst of temptation.
Text
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Temptation is something with which we are all familiar. No matter who you are, where you live, how long you've been a Christian, or what you do for a living, you have been tempted. And you will be tempted again, probably even today. Therefore, let's stop and ask an important question: What is temptation?
Quite simply, temptation is an enticement to take a God-given desire beyond our God-given boundaries. You may say, "God-given desire? There's no way that this desire came from God!" Well, let me ask you something: Who made you? Who built into you those drives and desires that you feel?
The longings for food, intimacy, and relationships all come straight from God. The problem arises when we take these desires beyond the boundaries God has set for us. For example, He created sex for enjoyment within marriage. However, this God-given desire is horribly misused when the physical act of sex occurs outside of matrimony. Then, something that God designed for His purposes becomes the source of guilt and shame. That is not what God intended.
You may sometimes feel at the mercy of your temptation. Know, however, that feelings of temptation are just that: feelings. They can be controlled, refused, and refocused into some other healthy activity.
God has assured us that He will not abandon us in the midst of temptation, no matter how alone we may feel. When you feel the pressure to sin, call on Him to refocus your energies and attention.
Sermon Outline
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What is Temptation?
- An enticement to take a God-given desire beyond our God-given boundaries
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God-Given Desires
- Come from God, but can be misused when taken beyond boundaries
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Examples of Misused Desires
- Sex outside of marriage, leading to guilt and shame
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Controlling Temptation
- Feelings of temptation can be controlled and refocused
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God's Assurance
- God will not abandon us in the midst of temptation
Key Quotes
“Temptation is an enticement to take a God-given desire beyond our God-given boundaries.” — Charles Stanley
“Feelings of temptation are just that: feelings. They can be controlled, refused, and refocused into some other healthy activity.” — Charles Stanley
“God has assured us that He will not abandon us in the midst of temptation, no matter how alone we may feel.” — Charles Stanley
Application Points
- We can control our feelings of temptation and refocus them into healthy activities.
- God will not abandon us in the midst of temptation, so we can call on Him for help.
- Misusing our desires can lead to guilt and shame, but God has a better plan for us.