As long as we live on this earth, we will face sin and temptation. From the moment Adam and Eve ate the fruit God commanded them not to eat, sin invaded every area of life. When we better understand temptation, and where it comes from, we can better fight against it.
BREAK THE ICE
Which is more tempting for you to eat: salty or sweet foods?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. Who or what often gets the blame when we are tempted? Why?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read James 1:12-13. What do we learn about God regarding temptation in these verses?
James 1:12-13
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else."
3. Read James 1:14-15. Where does temptation come from, according to these verses?
James 1:14-15
"Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
4. Read 1 John 1:9-10. How does Scripture teach us to respond to sin when we give in to temptation?
1 John 1:9-10
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts."
Application
1. What impact does understanding where temptations come from have when you think about your temptations?
2. When it comes to temptation, we often minimize it, maximize it, or accept God's grace and forgiveness. Which response do you find yourself falling under?
3. Do you find yourself having difficulty accepting God's grace and forgiveness? Why or why not?
MOVING FORWARD
God is so gracious to us. He does not leave us alone as we fight against temptation. The only response to God's grace is to tell someone else how good He is. Who can you invite to church this weekend to hear about God's extravagant love and forgiveness? Share it with your group. After everyone has shared, spend a few minutes praying together for each of these people to accept your invitation and encounter God's grace.
GOING DEEPER
Because temptation begins with "our own desires," to fight against temptation, we have to start from within. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." The question we have to ask is, "How do we guard our hearts?" Today we will answer this question and learn how to fight against temptation by guarding our hearts. Temptation starts from within, so we will look within ourselves to protect ourselves from temptation.
Be Prepared for Temptation:
If we want to guard our hearts, we have to play defense. We must be prepared for the temptations the enemy throws at us. Look at what 1 Peter 5 teaches us about the importance of preparing for temptation.
1. Read 1 Peter 5:8-9.
1 Peter 5:8-9
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are."
2. Describe the enemy's threat against us in this passage of Scripture.
3. How can we be prepared for temptation, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Why is preparation critical according to this passage of Scripture.
Protect our Thoughts:
One of the ways that we can guard our hearts is by focusing on what we think about. After all, our thoughts lead to our words and our actions. When we focus on thinking about good things that point us to Christ, we can better say "no," when temptation arises.
1. Read Philippians 4: 8.
Philippians 4: 8
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
2. What types of things does Paul tell us to focus on in this verse?
3. How does thinking about these things in Philippians 4:8 help us protect our hearts?
4. How can we follow the instructions in Philippians 4:8?
Invite God to Search Your Heart:
Perhaps this is the most important step to take in guarding our hearts. Because God is in control and knows our hearts, we must turn to God to God and invite Him to search our hearts and lead us away from anything that does not please Him.
1. Read Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Psalm 139:23-24.
Jeremiah 17:9-10
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
2. What is the difference between God's understanding of our hearts versus our own?
3. Why is it important to invite God to search our hearts?
4. How did David set an example for us in how to respond when God reveals anything that displeases Him after searching our hearts?
Reflect:
Let's reflect on what we studied about guarding our hearts for a few minutes.
1. Look back on what we learned about how we can guard our hearts: Prepare for temptation, protect your thoughts, and invite God to guard your heart. Which of these areas comes most naturally?
2. Which area would you like to grow in? Why?
3. What step can you take to grow in that area?
End your time together praying. Pray that God would give each one of you the courage to guard your hearts so that you can fight against temptations that occur.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21
©2024 Sagebrush Church
