Not Above Temptation
David Wilkerson reminds us that no matter how secure we feel, we are not above being tempted, and that God is faithful to provide a way of escape.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that no one is above temptation, regardless of their spiritual state. He warns that loving Jesus makes believers targets for Satan, who seeks to instill guilt and fear. Wilkerson references Paul's teaching that trials are meant to redirect our trust from ourselves to God. He illustrates this with David's story, showing that even after severe sin, God's mercy prevails, and believers can find hope in God's faithfulness during temptations. Ultimately, he reassures that God provides a way to endure every trial we face.
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It is wise to remember that no matter how pure, holy and spotless you feel or how secure you think you are, you are not above being tempted! When you love Jesus, when he is the savior of your heart and ruler of your will, you are a marked person in hell. Satan will try to cut you down to the ground and it is a wise believer who realizes this in order to be equipped for the battle.
Paul explains why God permits the devil to try us so severely, "We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:9). Satan's purpose is to engulf believers in guilt, fear and condemnation and make them discouraged and downcast, but the Lord takes care of his children.
David said, "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive" (Psalm 124:2-3).
David was sorely tempted, fell into adultery, lied and murdered an innocent man. When the prophet Nathan exposed him, Satan surely was convinced that David was down for the count. He expected the king to throw up his hands and exclaim, "What's the use? I have disgraced God and committed the very sins I've preached against. God can never use me now!"
But listen to David's cries after he repented. "The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death" (Psalm 118:18). He said, "I was tempted and tried, but God would not turn me over to Satan's power!"
Beloved, if the devil comes at you with powerful temptations, it is not always because you have sin in your life. He could be attacking you because you have turned to the Lord and he is trying to destroy your faith. Let the following scripture encourage your heart:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Sermon Outline
- I. Temptation is a reality for believers
- A. Satan will try to cut us down to the ground
- B. We must be equipped for the battle
- II. God permits Satan to try us to test our faith
- A. Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 1:9
- III. Satan's purpose is to bring guilt, fear, and condemnation
- A. But God takes care of his children
- IV. Even believers can fall into temptation
- A. David's example in Psalm 124:2-3
- V. God's chastening is not the same as giving us over to Satan
- A. David's experience in Psalm 118:18
Key Quotes
“When you love Jesus, when he is the savior of your heart and ruler of your will, you are a marked person in hell.” — David Wilkerson
“The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” — David Wilkerson
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize that temptation is a reality for believers and that Satan will try to cut us down to the ground.
- Trust in God's faithfulness to provide a way of escape and to not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able.
- Remember that even believers can fall into temptation, but God's chastening is not the same as giving us over to Satan.