Proverbs - Part 3
The Proverbs - Temptation
Temptation is a matter of the mind/heart long before it is ever an issue of behavior”
“Don’t be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:1-2)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23 NIV)
Thinking ---> attitude ---> behavior
I.Wisdom Speaks– Be Warned and Be Armed (Proverbs 6:20-24; 7:1-5)
II.Temptation rears its ugly head (7:6-21)
a.Looking for love in all the wrong places (7:6-9)
b.Seek and You Will Find! (7:10-12)
i.Temptation, “Lust of the eye,” She grabs attention (7:10-12)
ii.Pressure intensifies (VV. 13-21)
III.Succumbing (7:22-23)
IV.Consequences (6:27-35)
V.Final thoughts/ Admonitions (7:24-27)
APPENDIX: Scriptures Depicting a Fool
THE MAIN POINT
Temptation is unavoidable, so be ready to meet the challenge!
Though it is not the only weapon, God’s Word is the powerful one Jesus used against the Evil One
Is God’s Word Absolutely, Indisputably True?
Is Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son of the Father, the Second Person of the Trinity?
The Word of God provides tempted believers (You and me) great hope. First, it proclaims a Savior who has faced temptation at its greatest strength and defeated it finally, ultimately, and decisively
Then it proclaims these truths about us. We are:
(1) Declared not-guilty,
(2) Decisively and permanently adopted,
(3) Born again from above
(a) Given new hearts
(b) Given new inclinations,
(4) Indwelled fully by the Spirit of Christ,
(5) Crucified and buried with Christ,
(6) Raised and seated with Christ, and
(7) Receiving the ongoing merciful intercession of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
RESIST TEMPTATION
BE READY AND BE ARMED: TEMPTATION IS COMING
DON’T FLIRT WITH THINGS YOU KNOW ENTICE YOU
GET TO KNOW GOD MORE AND MORE
KNOW WELL WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
Will we follow wisdom or will we play the fool?”
Rely on God’s Spirit for strength
Pursue holiness with all diligence
Always invoke the amazing grace of God
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling!
Appendix - Home Study
Scriptures that describe the fool
Proverbs 1:7; 10:18,23; 12:15; 14:9; 19:1; 26:11; 28:26; 29:11
Ecclesiastes 5:4; 10:12
Psalm 14:1
Luke 24:25