Navigating Temptation: Faith, Conviction, and God's Sovereignty
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound themes of temptation, conviction, doubt, and the sovereignty of God. We began by examining the phrase from the Lord's Prayer, "Lead us not into temptation," and discussed how it reflects a Hebraic way of speaking that emphasizes our need for divine guidance away from temptation. This prayer acknowledges that while God does not tempt us, He allows testing to strengthen our faith and character. We are reminded that Christ has already withstood temptation on our behalf, and through His victory, we are empowered to resist the evil one and pursue holiness.
We also delved into the distinction between conviction by the Holy Spirit and accusations by Satan. Conviction leads us to repentance and reconciliation, while Satan's accusations aim to burden us with guilt and shame. The key is to remember that true repentance brings us to the cross, where we find forgiveness and freedom. The Holy Spirit's role is to guide us into truth and assurance, while Satan seeks to drive us into despair.
Doubt was another significant topic, particularly in the context of salvation and the existence of God. Doubt, when addressed by turning to God, can actually affirm our faith. It is not the presence of doubt that condemns us, but rather how we respond to it. Faith acts as a shield against doubt, and through it, we find assurance in God's promises. The journey of faith involves growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, who provides both conviction and assurance.
Finally, we discussed the sovereignty of God in salvation and human responsibility. The doctrine of election, while complex, does not negate our responsibility to respond to God's call. The central truth remains that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This assurance should drive us to evangelism and missions, sharing the gospel freely with all.
Key Takeaways:
- The phrase "Lead us not into temptation" in the Lord's Prayer is a call for divine guidance away from temptation, acknowledging that while God allows testing, He does not tempt us. Christ's victory over temptation empowers us to resist the evil one and pursue holiness. [01:46]
- Conviction by the Holy Spirit leads to repentance and reconciliation, while Satan's accusations aim to burden us with guilt and shame. True repentance brings us to the cross, where we find forgiveness and freedom. [06:04]
- Doubt, when addressed by turning to God, can affirm our faith. It is not the presence of doubt that condemns us, but how we respond to it. Faith acts as a shield against doubt, providing assurance in God's promises. [15:47]
- The sovereignty of God in salvation does not negate human responsibility. The central truth is that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," which should drive us to evangelism and missions. [31:07]
- In facing ethical challenges, such as those in the workplace, we must stand firm in our faith, guided by the fear of the Lord. This involves being wise, truthful, and ready to give an account of our faith, even if it means facing persecution. [42:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Understanding Temptation in the Lord's Prayer
- [01:46] - Christ's Victory Over Temptation
- [02:32] - The Role of Testing in Our Lives
- [04:46] - Hebraic Expressions in Scripture
- [05:21] - Conviction vs. Accusation
- [06:04] - The Path to True Repentance
- [08:00] - Assurance in the Face of Accusation
- [10:15] - The Role of Faith in Overcoming Doubt
- [15:47] - Doubt and Assurance in Salvation
- [20:04] - The Role of Apologetics in the Church
- [24:36] - Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility
- [31:07] - The Call to Evangelism
- [35:20] - Trusting God Amidst Mystery
- [42:53] - Standing Firm in Faith at Work
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:13 - "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
2. James 1:13-14 - "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed."
3. Romans 10:13 - "For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the phrase "Lead us not into temptation" in the Lord's Prayer reflect a Hebraic way of speaking, and what is its intended meaning? [04:46]
2. What is the difference between conviction by the Holy Spirit and accusations by Satan, as discussed in the sermon? [06:04]
3. According to the sermon, how can doubt, when addressed properly, affirm one's faith? [15:47]
4. What role does the sovereignty of God play in salvation, and how does it relate to human responsibility? [31:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's victory over temptation empowers believers to resist the evil one and pursue holiness? [01:46]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of true repentance, and what role does the cross play in this process? [06:04]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between doubt and faith, and how can faith act as a shield against doubt? [17:19]
4. How does the sermon reconcile the doctrine of election with the call to evangelism and missions? [31:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you faced temptation. How can you apply the understanding of "Lead us not into temptation" to seek divine guidance in similar situations in the future? [01:46]
2. Think of a time when you felt accused or burdened by guilt. How can you differentiate between conviction by the Holy Spirit and accusations by Satan in your life? [06:04]
3. Have you experienced doubt in your faith journey? How can you use these moments to strengthen your relationship with God and affirm your faith? [15:47]
4. How can you actively participate in evangelism and missions, knowing that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"? What steps can you take to share the gospel with those around you? [31:07]
5. In your workplace or daily life, how can you stand firm in your faith when faced with ethical challenges? What practical steps can you take to ensure your actions align with your beliefs? [42:53]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with doubt or fear. How can you use faith as a shield to find assurance in God's promises? [17:19]
7. Consider the concept of God's sovereignty in your personal life. How does understanding this doctrine impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [35:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Guidance in Temptation
In the Lord's Prayer, the phrase "Lead us not into temptation" is a profound request for divine guidance away from the snares of temptation. This reflects a Hebraic way of speaking that acknowledges God's role in allowing testing to strengthen our faith and character, while affirming that He does not tempt us. Christ's victory over temptation empowers believers to resist the evil one and pursue holiness. By relying on God's guidance, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. [01:46]
James 1:13-14 (ESV): "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire."
Reflection: What specific temptations are you facing today, and how can you actively seek God's guidance to overcome them?
Day 2: Conviction and True Repentance
The distinction between conviction by the Holy Spirit and accusations by Satan is crucial for spiritual growth. Conviction leads to repentance and reconciliation, drawing us closer to God, while Satan's accusations aim to burden us with guilt and shame. True repentance brings us to the cross, where we find forgiveness and freedom. The Holy Spirit guides us into truth and assurance, helping us to discern between conviction and condemnation. By embracing conviction, we can experience the transformative power of God's grace. [06:04]
2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel convicted? How can you respond to this conviction with true repentance today?
Day 3: Faith as a Shield Against Doubt
Doubt, particularly in the context of salvation and the existence of God, can be a challenging aspect of faith. However, when addressed by turning to God, doubt can actually affirm our faith. It is not the presence of doubt that condemns us, but how we respond to it. Faith acts as a shield against doubt, providing assurance in God's promises. By growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we can find both conviction and assurance, allowing us to navigate doubt with confidence. [15:47]
Jude 1:22-23 (ESV): "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
Reflection: What doubts are you currently wrestling with, and how can you use your faith to address and overcome them today?
Day 4: Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
The sovereignty of God in salvation is a profound truth that does not negate human responsibility. The doctrine of election, while complex, emphasizes that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This assurance should drive us to evangelism and missions, sharing the gospel freely with all. By understanding the balance between God's sovereignty and our responsibility, we can be motivated to actively participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [31:07]
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in sharing the gospel with someone in your life today, trusting in God's sovereignty and your responsibility?
Day 5: Standing Firm in Faith at Work
In facing ethical challenges, such as those in the workplace, believers are called to stand firm in their faith, guided by the fear of the Lord. This involves being wise, truthful, and ready to give an account of our faith, even if it means facing persecution. By relying on God's strength and wisdom, we can navigate these challenges with integrity and courage, serving as a witness to those around us. [42:53]
1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Reflection: What ethical challenge are you currently facing at work, and how can you stand firm in your faith while addressing it today?
Quotes
I think our Lord is reminding us that He withstood the temptation for us, that He overcame the evil one, and that we pray that He will continue to preserve us, so we don't face the temptation as He faced it and that we would be delivered from the evil one to live for Christ. [00:01:20]
God uses testing and then by the way, God sovereignly can even take that which the world, the flesh, and the devil would use to ensnare us, He can use that in His sovereign hand to yet disciple us and develop us, but we are to flee temptation. [00:02:22]
When we're convicted by the Spirit of God, we bleed repentance. When the Spirit of God convicts us, we repent. We seek restoration. We seek reconciliation. We repent, we confess, we consecrate ourselves to a new way of life. Satan's accusations; the fundamental difference is, is that his accusations aren't true. [00:06:00]
Satan knows our names, but he calls us by our sin. And so, sometimes what Satan strives to do is remind us of our sins, bring them back and accuse us of our sins when we have already taken those sins to the Lord, when we have already repented of our sins. [00:06:26]
If we have gone to the Lord, that if we have confessed it, that if we have repented, it has been true repentance, not just feeling badly about our sin, but real repentance, then we need to be able to withstand the devil. [00:07:26]
The Holy Spirit sends you to Jesus. Satan sends you to yourself and into despair. But we go to Christ. [00:10:43]
Doubts that are answered by going to the Lord, not to my life, but to the Lord who is my life, I think, they are actually productive in my life so that I can then learn to sing, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! It is Christ who assuages my doubts. [00:15:59]
Faith is what trusts the promises of God to be true beyond what we may be tempted to doubt. And I think that's very important to bear in mind. If you have doubts, it's not a problem of your faith doubting; it's a problem of your doubting. [00:17:19]
Saving faith is not the act of a moment; saving faith is the acquisition of a lifestyle that keeps sending you back to Jesus. [00:18:23]
The central verse of Romans 9 through 11 is this verse in Romans 10: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." And Paul, I think, in the middle of this marvelous theological development that he is making pauses in what he is planning and teaching. [00:30:40]
If you call on the name of the Lord you'll be saved. If you're wondering if you're part of the remnant or part of the fullness, they're the same thing I think, but that's another issue. If you don't know where you are or what you are or what you can do or what you can't do, I promise you this: if you call on the name of the Lord, you will be saved. [00:31:14]
We have to trust God, and trusting God is in many ways sometimes more difficult than obeying Him. We have to rest in Him, rest in His perfect will. This happens all the time when we encounter trials in our lives. [00:36:15]
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