HopeLives365

Guest (Male): I cannot always choose my thoughts, but I can choose my choices. Billy Graham put it this way: He said you can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.

This is HopeLives365 with Pastor Mark Finley. Today's message: Temptation Might Myth. Enjoy and remember you can always catch up with past messages and stay up-to-date with HopeLives365 and Pastor Mark by going to HopeLives365.com.

Mark Finley: A little girl was asked, "Honey, what do you do when you're tempted by Satan?" "Oh teacher," she responded, "when Mr. Satan comes knocking at the door, I tell Mr. Jesus who lives in my heart. When Jesus answers the door and sees it's Satan, he says, 'Oh sorry, wrong house,' and Satan races on."

My first reaction to that story is what a nice children's story. We smile at it, but in our heart of hearts, we know we need much more help than a simple story like that in dealing with temptation. But there is a truth to that story. When Jesus is in our heart, we have strength to face temptation.

But let me ask you: Why do we seem to fail on the same points again and again? How do you handle temptation? The temptation to be self-centered, the temptation to impatiently lash out in anger at someone else, the temptation to cheat on a test, the temptation to impurity, doubt, discouragement, or lack of faith.

Any strategy in handling temptation must expose some basic myths. Let's begin there. I'm convinced that the reason many Christians are unable to cope with temptation and live such powerless Christian lives is because they've accepted a few very basic myths, which become reality for them.

The reason so few have victory in the Christian life is because they're living with certain sanctified illusions. I put parentheses around that "sanctified illusions". These sanctified illusions render them powerless in coping with temptation. Let's examine these myths.

Here is first, myth number one. It's a myth that people believe God often sends temptation to test us. The idea that God sends temptations or enticements of evil to test us has two devastating consequences. But first, let me give you the biblical idea.

Does God allow us at times to go through tests? Certainly. But is a test different than a temptation? Very definitely. A temptation is an enticement or an allurement to evil. Do you think God ever wants to entice us or allure us to evil? Absolutely not.

But at times we face tests in our life. For example, we may lose a job. That may be a test of our faithfulness to God in giving and our dependence. We may go through a period of illness or sickness. That may be a test to deepen our faith. So tests, yes. Temptations or allurements to evil, no.

Let me show that to you in the Bible. James chapter 1, verse 13 and onward. "Let no one say when he's tempted, 'I'm tempted of God,' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he's drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when the desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it's full-grown brings forth death."

What's the problem with this myth, the idea that some people have that God is tempting me with this? First, it distorts the character of God. It puts him in a position of an enemy, not a friend. It aligns him as against us rather than for us. If God is subtly enticing me toward evil to test my character, it's me on one side and God's on the other.

The second reason it's a distortion is because it leads to independence from God. If God is sending the temptation to see how I'll do, then I'll demonstrate that I can handle it alone. It leads me to try to resist on my own. Thus, I am powerless to resist separate from God. It leads me to trust in myself. It leads me to independence, not dependence on God.

The originator of temptation is Satan. Let's get that straight right now. The originator of all evil is the devil. Immediately upon becoming conscious of temptation, focus your mind on its source. Say to yourself, "This is Satan's work." Identify the source. The source of all temptation is Satan.

The solution to all temptation is Jesus. It's true that God tests us, but a test to strengthen our faith and an enticement of evil are two different, separate things. Let's look at 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13. The scripture puts it this way: "No temptation has taken you except as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able, but with the temptation will make a way of escape that you will be able to bear it."

God filters every temptation that comes to us. Satan is not given unrestrained access to us. The devil can tempt us. Sometimes we make ourselves vulnerable to temptation. For example, would you think that a man who's trying to overcome alcohol would gargle bourbon? Not at all.

Sometimes we are tempted because we put ourselves in the path of temptation. But whatever that temptation is, what does our text say in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13? It says no temptation, not one, has overtaken you but is common to man. In other words, whatever we are facing, others have faced it as well and they've found victory in Christ.

But God is faithful. He's not going to allow you to be tempted above what you're able. So keep this in mind always: that the devil is the one who tempts you, that God has you in his hand. Identify the source of temptation as Satan. Cry out to God for victory, and the one who holds you in his hand, the one who is mightier than Satan, the one who's never lost a battle with Satan, will indeed give you victory.

The second myth is this. It's even more subtle. The best way to overcome temptation is to quote the Bible like Jesus did at the time of temptation. You say, "Pastor Mark, that's strange. Aren't we supposed to quote the Bible?" Why is that a myth?

Quoting the Bible at the time of temptation might be helpful in some instances. In fact, it is. Jesus quoted the Bible in Matthew 4 when he was tempted. But the reason he was able to quote the Bible at the time of temptation is because he received strength through studying the Bible before the temptation came.

It's not that I just magically quote some Bible text at the time of temptation. It's rather that I saturate my mind with the word of God. Let's notice, for example, James chapter 1. You'll never have strength to meet temptation and to overcome it if you try to get that strength at the time of temptation.

You will never be able to overcome temptation simply by quoting a Bible verse if the Bible does not saturate your mind, if the Bible does not fill your heart, if the truths of the Bible are not implanted in your soul. James chapter 1, verse 21 says, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and the overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls."

When God's word is implanted in our hearts and minds, look at Acts chapter 20, verse 32. Paul is talking to the elders that have come from Ephesus. "Now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all that are sanctified."

Justification takes place when we come to Christ. We stand before him forgiven, not condemned, just as if we'd never sinned. But sanctification, the process of being made holy, the process of having a character transformation, is a process day-by-day. The Bible talks here about the word of his grace that is able to build you up. We are built up and strengthened as we saturate our minds with the word of God.

We do not overcome at the time of temptation. We overcome before the temptation ever comes. 2 Peter chapter 1 says, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord." Notice the knowledge of God. We receive grace through the knowledge of God, through the knowledge of Jesus.

As by his living power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that's in the world through lust.

So notice what's given to us: promises. What kind of promises? Precious promises. Exceeding great and precious promises that through these you can be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that's in the world through lust.

The Bible says in Hebrews 4, "Let us boldly come to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The best way to overcome temptation is to fill our minds with the word of God before the temptation comes so that we have strength to meet the temptation as we confidently and quietly spend time in God's presence. We gain spiritual strength for our times of temptation.

You cannot draw money out of the bank when you put nothing in. If you put a lot in, you can draw a lot out. If you spend time in the presence of God, in fellowship and communion, he will grant you spiritual power. It's not the strength of temptation that brings defeat, but the lack of spiritual power.

Guest (Male): We'll be right back with Pastor Mark Finley. We thank you for listening and hope you're enjoying today's message. Our mission is to attractively present the Christ-centered biblical truths of scripture in a practical, relevant way to people around the world so that they may experience the abundant life that Christ offers and effectively share with confidence his life-changing truths with others. You can support this ministry and help us reach even more by going to HopeLives365.com/donate. And now, back to Pastor Mark Finley.

Mark Finley: Let's pause for a moment to make a critical distinction between sin singular and sins plural. What is sin? And is there a difference between sin and sins? I am born with a sinful nature. Sin is separation from God or independence from God. In Romans chapter 15, verse 23, it says, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." And 1 John 3, verse 4 says, "Sin is the transgression of the law. Sin is lawlessness."

So sin is living a life independent from God which leads to acts of disobedience. Sins in the plural, acts of rebellion, reveal an independence from God. According to Romans 10, verse 17, faith is developed. Faith comes through hearing the word of God. As day-by-day we meet God in his word, our faith is strengthened.

There's more to Christianity than warm feelings, more to Christianity than emotional highs, more to Christianity than a spiritual euphoria. Meeting God in his word provides spiritual nourishment for the soul. The same Holy Spirit which inspired the Bible inspires you as you read it.

The same Christ that walked the dusty streets of Galilee touching blind eyes so they could see touches our eyes to behold eternal realities, and he unstops our ears and we hear his voice speaking words of strength and encouragement. He ministers healing to our palsy souls as we leap for joy. In scripture, we see Jesus forgiving Mary, and we cry out, "God, if you can forgive her, forgive me."

In scripture, we see Jesus transforming Peter from a loud-mouthed, awkward, uncouth Galilean fisherman to the preacher in the book of Acts who sees 3,000 baptized on the day of Pentecost. In scripture, we see Jesus changing John from one of the sons of thunder to a disciple who wrote with a pen dipped in love.

In scripture, we see Jesus in his divine love breaking the heart of a hard-hearted, callous Roman centurion, and we cry out to God, "Do it for me." In scripture, we see Christ transforming lives. One night after an evangelistic meeting in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, a little ornery fellow in a suit and tie came up to argue with me about the truth of the Bible. He shook his fist in my face.

He asked critical questions, but he wouldn't let me answer—just wanted to keep talking and talking. Standing beside me was a good friend of mine. I'll call him Bucky. He was there in his jeans, his motorcycle boots, his black leather jacket. Bucky had a police record throughout the city.

He told me that they often went from place to place in that city, going from one bar to the other, drinking and seeing how many fights they could get into and how many people they could beat up. But there's life transformation in God's word. I remember when Bucky and his motorcycle gang came into my meetings the first night. I wondered who they were, but he sat so attentively.

He had this longing look in his eyes to know Christ. And as I shared Jesus in those meetings and uplifted the truths of the word of God, the inspired word of God transformed that young man's life. He would come up to me after my meetings and throw his arms around me. "Oh, Pastor Mark, thank you for sharing Jesus with me!" He almost would crack my ribs. He was a gang leader who came to Christ. We became friends.

As he was standing next to me, and this little guy was arguing with me, I looked at him. I said, "Bucky, tell him what Jesus did for you." In fact, I knew that if that guy was arguing with me and Bucky was unconverted, he'd have taken that guy out in the back alley and taught him a lesson or two. That guy should be thrilled that Bucky was converted.

Bucky just sat there and he said, "Sir, you're asking my friend a lot of questions, but you know, Jesus has changed my life, and Jesus has transformed me from being a gang leader, from being wanted for so many crimes in this city. He's given me a peace and joy, and all I want to do now is share his love and grace." You see, as we read the word of God, it is life-transformational.

Myth number one is this. The first myth says that all we have to do is say, "Oh Jesus, you're sending this temptation and Jesus help me." No, Jesus doesn't send temptations; the devil does. How do you overcome that myth? Identifying the source. Christ is the one who helps us overcome, not the one who sends the temptation.

Second myth says this: "Oh, just quote a Bible text at the time of temptation." No. Fill your heart with the word of God so that you're strengthened before you're tempted. If Jesus had not known the word, he could not have quoted the word when Satan tempted him.

Third myth: The sinful thought is just as bad as the sinful act. If you think it, well you might as well do it. This is one of Satan's most dangerous heresies. If you accept it, there's no safeguard against sin. I cannot always choose my thoughts, but I can choose my choices.

Billy Graham put it this way: He said you can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair. There are going to be thoughts and feelings that come into our minds that at times trouble us, but we can choose to dwell on them or not.

There are subconscious thoughts that influence our mind constantly. There are certain reactions to situations which are spontaneous. The sinful thought does not become sin until it's accepted and cherished by the mind. This sinful thought is then acted out in sinful behavior.

There's a wonderful statement that says this: "There are thoughts and feelings that trouble the best of men and women, but if they're not cherished, the soul is not defiled and no one else is damaged by them." Let me be very practical. You may have thoughts of bitterness, anger, doubt, depression, or lust. They may fill your mind.

When they become conscious, you have a choice. Out of the depth of your experience with God, you can choose to refocus the mind. You can choose to cherish these thoughts, or you can choose to renounce them. An amazing illustration of this is from the life of Corrie ten Boom.

She tells the story of preaching in a church in Munich, Germany after World War II. Hers was a message of forgiveness and healing and love. You remember that Corrie ten Boom was placed in a German prison camp. And there her sister Betsy died in that camp.

One of the guards in that camp was the cruelest guard in the camp. He beat them, knocked Betsy on the floor on one occasion and stamped on her to listen to the crack of her breaking ribs. One night after Corrie was preaching in this church on forgiveness and grace and mercy, she saw the large, heavy-set, stocky, square-faced, balding man walking up the aisle.

Immediately she recognized him as one of the cruelest guards in Ravensbruck. As he came up to her, he reached out his hand and he said, "Corrie, Corrie, would you forgive me?" She said everything in me wanted to lash out at that man. I wanted to slap him in the face. I wanted to turn and run out of that place. She thought, "I cannot forgive him."

But then she remembered a scriptural text that she had stored in her mind, found in Ephesians chapter 4. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

When I think of my rebellion against Jesus, when I think of the times that I have disappointed my Lord, when I think of the times that I've failed or sinned when I've known better, and Christ has forgiven me, and Christ has given me his grace and his mercy—when I think of all that, how can I hold back my forgiveness from others?

Guest (Male): You've been listening to HopeLives365 with Pastor Mark Finley. We hope you've enjoyed today's message and remind you that you can find more in our many ministry resources at HopeLives365.com. And you can support this ministry by going to HopeLives365.com/donate. And now, a final thought from Pastor Mark.

Mark Finley: What did our text say? It said be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. As Christ's forgiveness flooded Corrie's heart, she made a choice contrary to all of her emotions to reach out and forgive the one who had treated her so cruelly. And she said, "Yes, my friend, I forgive you." And there in the church that night they embraced.

As she left the church, Corrie said a peace flooded into her heart. On that dark night, a joy flooded into her soul. Because she recognized three myths. The first myth, that it's Satan that tempts us to have bitterness and anger, and that only by the power of God can we overcome it.

Secondly, that as we store our hearts and minds with God's word, we are built up by the word. We have the word implanted in our heart. We are transformed by the precious promises of God and we escape the lusts of this world. And as Corrie learned that very night, that thoughts of anger and bitterness placed in the mind by Satan can be overcome by a positive choice to allow Jesus to sit on the throne of our heart.

Three myths about temptation, but three divine truths. Christ is not the author of temptation; he's the author of victory. Let's pray together. Father in heaven, may our thoughts be brought into captivity to Jesus. May the word of God cleanse our heart. May we know that you're not the author of evil temptation, but you're the deliverer from temptation.

May we know that you're on our side, you're not against us, you're not enticing us to evil, you're leading us to righteousness. Thank you for your power and grace. May we live that victory in Christ today and tomorrow and forever in Jesus' name. Amen.