Villain
The Template of Temptation
By Ed Young
October 25, 2015
Temptation is one of the most difficult, and dangerous, issues we face in life. It’s something in life that can lead us down one of two roads. Either we turn from it to discover God’s purpose, or we give into it and find ourselves partnering with the villain.
In this message, Pastor Ed Young takes a look at the most difficult temptation anyone in history ever faced. By looking at how Jesus dealt with – and overcame – temptation, we discover the perfect template for our own lives as well.
Transcripts
Temptation. We all deal with it, don’t we? The ubiquitous nature of temptation. Temptation crosses all socioeconomic lines, all racial lines. It’s everywhere. Temptation. If I asked you this question about temptation, what would your answer be? And don’t blurt this answer out. You can say it to yourself. What is the biggest temptation that you deal with? What is that thing, that area that seems to always be in front of you? That little thing or that big thing that trips you up? Have you got that?
Now I want to ask you another question. What do you do best? This might help you with the answer. Where are you gifted? What sort of comes easy to you, effortless to you? What? What? Because I’ll bet you cash money that you’re tempted around your greatest strength. I’m tempted around my greatest ability. It’s still interesting, isn’t it? For example, if you’re a charming person, God has just given you that charm and people are like, oh man, you’ve got it! We can use that charm for good, for the things of God, or we can use that charm to manipulate, to connive. Maybe you’re a leader. Maybe when you step out people follow. It’s just a God-given thing. Everybody is influential but you have that extra measure of influence. And if you’re not careful you can use that leadership quotient for evil. You can use that on one hand for good, on the other hand you can use that discernment to rip people apart, to belittle them. Wherever you’re strongest is where you’re tempted the most.
Now at this time some of you might be saying, wow. Temptation. This is a doggie downer. Temptation, this is kind of negative. Temptation, wow, this is a serious subject and you’re right. But I want you to think about the positive nature of temptation. That’s right. So often temptation gets a bad rap. Let’s talk about the positive aspect of temptation. Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever thought about that? Temptation is positive? It’s positive because we’re creatures who have a freedom of choice. If we have the opportunity to choose the goodness of good, which is God in Jesus Christ, we also have the opportunity to choose the badness of bad, which is the evil one. With temptation it means, wow, I’ve got freedom. I’m made in the image of God. Love is a choice so when I’m tempted I just say God, thank you for the freedom!
Also, temptation tethers me to humility. Whenever I think, oh yeah, I’ve got it down. I really feel it! I’m walking with the Lord and I’ve done this and I’ve done that. Tempted again? You mean the same area? I’m still susceptible to that? That should drive us to have the spirit of humility. God, you’re so great. God, you’re so awesome. I’m fallen and fallible. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your magnificence.