How to Beat the Enemy

What are you most often tempted by? Did 2020 bring new and more temptations into your life? As we wrap up our series, Hindsight is 2020, JP teaches through Matthew 4:1-11, teaching us all about temptation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

-There are five main things the enemy uses: despair, disunity, deception, disease, & death. Do you think he was at work in 2020?

-We are culpable. The enemy will tempt us, but we always have the option to say no.

-Temptation: a proposition to not trust God.

-Where and what are you tempted by: fear, laziness/apathy, prejudice, cynicism, materialism, alcoholism, drugs, isolation, anger, despair.

-When tempted with His wants, Jesus trusted God’s Word.

-Sometimes your greatest temptations come after mountaintop moments.

-Where in life do you feel entitled?

-Trust yourself the least when you really really want something.

-Not all of your desires are from Got. You have desires that you should NOT act on...they are from your flesh and of this world and you should put them to death.

-Trust God’s Word over your wants.

-When tempted to display power, Jesus trusted God’s plan.

-The enemy knows Scripture. He will twist and distort it to tempt and lie to you.

-Are you able to sit in a conversation and keep the focus on the other person, or are you always trying to make the conversation about you?

-Test this: every time you seek power, the enemy is at play.

-When tempted with a shortcut, Jesus trusts God’s schedule.

-When faced with suffering or temptation, do you lean on the Lord, your Master, or your own strength and feelings?

-The Christian life is not about following your feelings. It’s about acknowledging them and then trusting and following what God and His Word says.

-Not a single person in Scripture or history has gotten away with taking a shortcut.

-If the only way you were going to overcome the temptation of satan today is to quote Deuteronomy, how would you do?

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

-Suggested Scripture Study: James 1:13-15; Matthew 4:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Psalm 91:11-12; Deuteronomy 6:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 5:9

-Book: The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Tim Keller

-Bible Reading Plan: biblereadingplan.org