I. Introduction

A. Have you ever notice that, whenever you’re tempted to sin, it’s almost like a quiet voice is whispering to you that you can’t make it through – that you’re not up to the fight – that you can’t successfully resist temptation. That’s because we do have an enemy of our souls who tells us whatever he thinks it will take to get us to sin – and his name is Satan.

B. Illustration – This morning we’re going to watch a clip from “The Passion of the Christ.” It’s based on a passage in Luke 22, and it shows us how Satan likes to work to try to undermine our obedience to God. I’m going to read the passage from the New Living Translation first, starting in verse 39 – Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.” 41 He walked away about a stone’s throw, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” 45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them sleeping, exhausted from grief.” 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked. “Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.” You won’t see the angel in the clip, and the character tempting Jesus is the devil. So let’s watch the clip (RESOURCE DVD SCENE SELECTION CLIP #1 – 6:10).

C. What is it that Jesus did every time the devil whispered something to try to discourage Him and to get Him off track? He prayed. He asked the Father for strength. Notice that Jesus never directly attacked Satan’s accusations – He stayed focused on His Father and on the task before Him. Even though obedience would bring Him great anguish and suffering, Jesus stayed focused on God and obeyed. Hebrews 2:18 says Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted. Not only did Jesus come through temptation without disobeying God, He is able to help us to make it through temptation without disobeying God.

D. Contrast Jesus’ reaction to temptation with Peter’s in this next clip (RESOURCE DVD SCENE SELECTION CLIP #3 – 2:10). I can relate to Peter’s reaction than to Jesus’. It’s so easy to play it safe and sin instead of taking the risk and obeying God. So how can we make sure that we resist temptation and obey God instead of giving in and sinning? What do we do when we hear Satan’s lies whispered into our ears trying to get us to sin? Here are some biblical suggestions.

II. Help in Resisting Temptation

A. First, recognize who the enemy is – Satan and his minions. Ephesians 6:12 – 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Temptation may come in the form of a person, but the force behind all temptation is Satan. And remember the difference between testing and temptation. Testing is from God and will always be aimed at drawing you closer to God. Temptation is from Satan and will always be aimed at pulling you away from God. Recognize who the enemy is.

B. Second, pray for strength and help. Jesus prayed, God answered. God took Jesus through the most difficult time of temptation in history, yet Jesus made it through without sinning, remaining obedient to His Father in heaven. David was another one who prayed and God helped. Psalm 34:6 – I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. Pray for strength and help.

C. Third, never argue with the devil – quote Scripture. That’s exactly what Jesus did in Luke 4:1-13 – Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, 2 where the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry. 3 Then the Devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life.’” 5 Then the Devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil told him, “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them – because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will bow down and worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God, serve only him.’” 9 Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He orders his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.’” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’” 13 When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. Notice how Satan responded to Jesus with Scripture taken out of context. If we know our Bibles, then we have a powerful weapon God can use to help us resist temptation. That’s why daily Bible study is so important. Never argue with the devil – quote Scripture.

D. Fourth, trust God to carry you through. 1 Peter 2:23 – He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. God knows your heart, and He knows if you truly want to resist the temptation. If you do, He’ll help you make it through without giving in. Trust God to carry you through.

E.Fifth, just say no, ‘cause you’re not alone. 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 9 Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. When we stand firm in our faith, refusing to sin, Satan has no choice but to leave us until an opportune time to tempt us again. Even when it seems like we’re the only one going through this temptation and we feel so alone, there are countless Christians around the world going through the same temptation. God is with every last one, including us. Just say no, ‘cause you’re not alone.

F. It’s especially important that we follow Jesus’ example and resist the temptation to sin, and not just because it’s the Easter season and we want to honor His sacrifice for us. It’s important because of the significant strides many in our congregation have made in their faith over the past several weeks. Satan would like nothing more than to derail that growth. He always works to destroy us. But he is nothing more than a false king – one who may have temporary control over his legions of evil. But Jesus is the true King, the One who will rule for all eternity. When we resist temptation, like He did in the Garden of Gethsemane, we live like He is King over our lives.

G. Illustration – Robert Andrescik, in New Man magazine, writes, Author and pastor Max Lucado said that giving up beer helped him get closer to God. Lucado said, "I come from a family of alcoholism. If there's anything about this DNA stuff, I've got it." For more than 20 years, drinking wasn't a major issue for Lucado. But a couple of years ago, it nearly became one. Lucado recalled, "I lowered my guard a bit. One beer with a barbecue won't hurt. Then another time with Mexican food. Then a time or two with no food at all." One afternoon on his way to speak at a men's retreat he began to plot: "Where could I buy a beer and not be seen by anyone I know?" He drove to an out-of-the-way convenience store, parked, and waited till all the patrons left. He entered, bought a beer, held it close to his side, and hurried to his car. "I felt a sense of conviction," Lucado remembers, "because the night before I'd had a long talk with my oldest daughter about not covering things up." Lucado didn't drink that beer. Instead he rolled down the window, threw it in a trash bin, and asked God for forgiveness. He also decided to come clean with the elders of his church about what happened: "When I shared it with the elders, they just looked at me across the table and said, 'Satan is determined to get you for this right now. We're going to cover this with prayer, but you've got to get the alcohol out of your life.' And I really took that as from God" (as cited on PreachingToday.com).

III. Conclusion

A. Please bow your heads and close your eyes out of respect for each other’s privacy. How are you doing at resisting temptation? Are you resisting it, even when you don’t feel up to fighting it? Is there anything in your heart or life that would keep you from moving forward with God, or keep God from making the changes within you that He wants to? Maybe it’s as simple as a bad attitude or habit. Let’s spend a few quiet moments listening to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to our hearts.

B. What’s God been speaking to your heart? If you want to surrender to this King who was tempted but never sinned, and allow Him to help you resist temptation, even when you don’t feel like it, raise your hand and I’ll pray for you. If you’re surrendering to Jesus to allow Him to help you resist temptation, please raise your hand now. Let’s pray.