GROW: How to Handle Temptation

Orchard Crest opened with warm announcements, a focused prayer emphasis for revival, and a celebration of a long-standing financial burden finally removed. The congregation prepared for a month-long prayer push ahead of a revival meeting with guest ministers and special worship leadership scheduled, urging personal and corporate readiness. Joy over paying off a decades-old debt led to plans for a May 17 note-burning celebration that will include former pastors and a symbolic burning of the debt thermometer. Practical church items — from quilting times to postponed meetings — framed a community moving forward with gratitude.

A sustained prayer from Jeremiah 32 anchored the morning: God’s creative power makes nothing too difficult, and the assembly was invited to ask boldly for revival, longing for spiritual hunger, hatred of sin, and life-changing encounters with God. The prayer emphasized confession, dependence on the Spirit, and the expectation that God will provide breakthrough when people submit and pray, repeating the pledge “let revival start in me.”

The teaching turned to practical Scripture on temptation from First Corinthians 10 and related passages. Temptation itself does not equal sin; acting on it does. Three common responses to temptation appear: give in, try to fight in personal strength, or overcome through Christ. The biblical path centers on trusting God’s provision: God promises a way out and equips believers by faith, Scripture, prayer, and mutual support. Concrete practices included fleeing circumstances that fuel the flesh, calling friends or leaders for accountability, and leaning on God’s Word rather than personal willpower.

Three sources of temptation received careful attention: the external pressures of a godless world system, the internal pull of the flesh, and the infernal schemes of the devil. Each source requires a specific posture — faith to resist the world, flight from the flesh, and firm resistance against the devil using God’s armor and the word of God. The session closed with a summons to live in the resurrected life daily: confess unrepented sin, receive forgiveness, and walk empowered by the Spirit so temptation becomes an occasion for growth rather than defeat.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Nothing is too difficult for God God’s power over creation reframes every crisis. When circumstances look impossible, Scripture invites bold petitions rooted in God’s sovereignty and past redemptive acts. Confidence in God’s ability fuels persistent prayer and realistic hope that revival and renewal are possible. [28:25]
• 2. Temptation can draw to God Seeing temptation as an invitation to rely on God shifts its purpose from defeat to sanctification. Temptation reveals dependencies and becomes a training ground for faith when met with Scripture, prayer, and community. This approach transforms recurring struggles into testimony as God refines character through reliance on him. [37:28]
• 3. Identify temptation's three sources Discernment clarifies whether pressure comes from the world, the flesh, or the devil, and that clarity shapes response. Each source attacks differently and demands appropriate tactics: faith against the world, flight from the flesh, and resistance against the devil. Naming the source prevents one-size-fits-all reactions and opens the way for targeted, biblical remedies. [47:38]
• 4. Overcome through flight and faith God promises a “way out” with every temptation; the faithful response pairs immediate flight from triggers with reliance on Christ. Practical steps include confession, accountability, Scripture memorization, and calling for help before isolation deepens the struggle. Trusting God’s provision and using communal supports turns temptation into a pathway to triumph. [45:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:48] - Weekly announcements
• [06:50] - Revival emphasis and dates
• [11:18] - Debt-free celebration announced
• [12:43] - Note-burning ceremony plans
• [28:25] - Prayer: Nothing too difficult
• [36:02] - Series: Grow — Temptation intro
• [44:47] - Paul’s promise: God provides a way
• [47:38] - Three sources of temptation
• [65:50] - Resist the devil; use God’s armor
• [69:38] - Live the resurrected life

1. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what is God's promise regarding our ability to handle temptation?
2. The prayer from Jeremiah 32 emphasized that nothing is too difficult for God. What specific things were we encouraged to ask God for boldly in that prayer? [30:00]
3. What are the three common responses to temptation mentioned in the sermon? [38:09]
4. What are the three sources of temptation that were identified? [47:38]

1. The sermon stated that "temptation is not sinful; it's when you act upon it that it becomes sin." [36:59] Why is this distinction important for a believer to understand?
2. How does viewing temptation as an "invitation to rely on God" change its purpose from defeat to something positive? [37:28]
3. The pastor mentioned that the way to fight temptation from the world is different than the way to fight temptation from the flesh. [58:42] Why would the strategy of "flight" be more appropriate for the flesh than the world?
4. What does it mean to "resist the devil" (James 4:7) in a practical sense, and why is it important to do so while wearing the "armor of God"? [01:05:50]

1. God’s creative power means nothing is too difficult for Him, including bringing revival. What is one seemingly "impossible" situation in your personal life or our community that you can begin praying about with renewed faith this week?
2. Temptation can be a training ground for faith when met with Scripture, prayer, and community. [37:28] What is one specific temptation you regularly face? Which of these three God-given resources (Scripture, prayer, community) do you find yourself using the least, and what is one practical step you can take to engage it more?
3. The biblical response to the "internal" pull of the flesh is often to flee. [58:42] What is one specific "trigger" or situation you know you need to start actively running from? Who is one person you could tell about this plan to help hold you accountable?
4. The promise of a "way out" with every temptation is meant to be trusted. [45:11] When you are tempted, do you typically look for God's way of escape or try to fight it on your own? What would it look like this week to pause in a moment of temptation and actively ask God to show you His way out?
5. Living the resurrected life daily involves dealing with unconfessed sin. [01:09:25] Is there any sin you have been tolerating that is keeping you from standing firm against the devil's schemes? What would it look like to confess that to God and receive His forgiveness and cleansing today?