Posts Tagged ‘temptation’
Does God lead us into temptation?
Question: Matthew 6:13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen,” seems to imply that God might lead us into temptation. But James 1:13 says God doesn’t tempt people with evil. Could you explain this? Answer: “And do…
Read MoreYou Are Not Your Temptations
by Chadwick Brewer Many people believe that what they feel drawn to (tempted) is their true, authentic self. They believe that giving in to all their temptations is just being who they really are. There are several things wrong with that. Desires are never that straightforward and are often opposed. We want to be in…
Read MoreGod Appeared in the Flesh
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/God-Appeared-in-the-Flesh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16 I. Before the first century ended, several varieties of false teachings arose. A. One set has been referred to as the gnostics. The name derives from the Greek word for “knowledge.” – I Timothy 6:20-21 B. These were a diverse group, but they were tied by a belief…
Read MoreTwo Sources of Temptation
by Perry Hall Two frightening sources of temptation used by Satan, according to James 1 and Romans 7, are me (James 1:14) and God (Romans 7:7-12). We see both in the first temptation in Genesis 3. Satan uses Eve, but notice how the possessed serpent only tempts Eve with the Pride of Life. Then she…
Read MoreSatan’s Devices
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Introduction The Devil is real and out to get us (I Peter 5:8). His will not be a frontal assault; he will get us with his tools and his devices of deception. He does have devices (cf. II Corinthians 2:11). It will…
Read MoreTampering with Sin
by Jefferson David Tant The story is told of a man in Rockwood, Tennessee, many years ago. Wilkie was a bricklayer, and one day, he caught a black snake and tamed it so that it would coil about his neck as he walked up and down the streets of his town. He then became bolder…
Read MoreThe Deity of Christ While on Earth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Deity-of-Christ-While-on-Earth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:5-8 I. A debate arose among brethren concerning the nature of Christ several decades ago A. I watched the debates rage. It is easy to see that both sides stretch the position of the other as they attempt to justify their belief. 1. It does not affect a person’s salvation…
Read MoreDealing with Temptation
by Jefferson David Tant One of my early morning activities is reading the daily newspaper. Not only do I learn what’s going on in the world, but sometimes I get a smile when there is a misprint or misspelled word. I read about one in a weather report. It read “Fair weather tomorrow with no…
Read MoreBeware – Hungry Lions
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Beware-Hungry-Lions.mp3 by Joe Greer Lessons to Build Your Faith
Read MoreIs it wrong to share a place with a person of the opposite sex?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I’m always so thankful to have you answering my questions biblically! Here soon I’m thinking about moving to another state. I am in need of some change. I don’t have a whole lot of money. There is a person who has offered to let me stay with him and split the bills.…
Read MorePossess Your Vessel
by Mike Thomas The Thessalonians were surrounded by immorality and ungodly influences, but those who became Christians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (I Thessalonians 1:9). In encouraging them to fulfill this commitment, Paul reminded them of the need to avoid the sexual immorality that was very common in…
Read MoreAm I sinning if I’m cursing in my thoughts?
Question: My boyfriend was just baptized and he’s been struggling. He has a little bit of anxiety. He’s been trying to work on his cursing. he’s doing great. But he asked me a difficult question. He asked, “Am I still sinning if I keep the cuss words in my brain?” I said that I wasn’t…
Read MoreResist the Devil
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Resist-the-Devil.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 4:1-10 I. When we are faced with temptation, it is a struggle to resist A. The urge to give in seems overwhelming. Even when we know we should not, too often we do it anyway – Romans 7:14-15 1. Since the action goes against what we know and want to…
Read MoreSatan’s Devices
by Jefferson David Tant The apostle John wrote some words concerning Satan in Revelation 12:9: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” We are…
Read MoreAm I denying I sinned if I tell myself that I didn’t use profanity even though the words appear in my mind?
Question: Hello, I would like to ask a question. I was reading I John this morning and came to the verse where it says that if we say we have not sinned we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. I recognize that even though I have obeyed the gospel that…
Read MoreYou Must Rule Over It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/You-Must-Rule-Over-It.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I. Ask a person why they gave into a particular sin and the most common rely is: “I don’t know. I couldn’t help myself.” A. Losing control in the face of temptation has been around since the beginning. 1. God even warned Cain that he had to master his…
Read MoreHow to Say “No!”
by Jefferson David Tant Do you say you are tempted to do wrong? Your friends are pressuring you, and you are afraid you might give in, or you have already given in and don’t know what to do to avoid yielding again? Welcome to the club! Temptation is as old as man and must be…
Read MoreIn the Hour of Trial
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/In-the-Hour-of-Trial.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 22:54-62 I. Without a doubt, Peter loved Jesus A. When others sat in the boat in fear, it was Peter who wanted to go out to meet Jesus – Matthew 14:28-31 B. When Jesus spoke of his abandonment on the Mount of Olives – Matthew 26:31-32 1. Specifically Jesus told Peter…
Read MoreHow do I battle temptation?
Question: Good Day! I have been a patron and a reader of your website for about a few months now, and I have found your answers to be good and your knowledge of the Bible is great. I have to say, your website has been a great deal of help to me, in which I…
Read MoreThank you for explaining why coed sleepovers are a bad idea
Question: Thank you for the coed slumber party article. My son said that if I could give him biblical reasons, he wouldn’t go to a coed campout with him and two girls in the forest. In this current age, these kids innocently think they don’t see a difference between girls and boys and don’t understand…
Read MoreHow do I clean up my life before Jesus returns?
Question: Hello. I was hoping to receive some help and answers. With the shape the world is in, I can’t help but foresee Jesus coming soon. Frankly, I just read Matthew 24:1-31 and can’t help but feel fear. I struggle with a lot of things that I can’t seem to break. How do I turn…
Read MoreI need advice about living with my girlfriend
Question: Good day sir, I read through the advice you gave a lady on your site and I was enlightened with your answers. Please sir, I also need your help in this area. I am a guy staying with my girlfriend. The problem is that we have set rules to guide us for the period…
Read MoreI’m struggling with my thoughts
Question: Hey, I’m struggling with my thoughts. Satan puts sinful thoughts in my mind, then I feel like I have sinned and begin to worry about those thoughts. I worry a lot about everything. I know I haven’t sinned because I do not accept them, and I do not even want them there, but it…
Read MoreDo you believe the devil is controlling people today?
Question: Do you believe the devil is controlling people today to mobilize his plans to multiple his kingdom on the earth by destroying God’s people? Answer: If Satan controlled people, then he alone would be responsible for the actions that they commit. This is not what the Bible teaches. Satan encourages people to sin and…
Read MoreThe Purpose of Fear
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Purpose-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:39-66 I. It started out as an observation in Bible class: “Temptation comes because fear is removed.” A. How true that is! B. God had warned that death would come if the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was eaten – Genesis 2:16-17 1. But Satan…
Read MoreDid Bathsheba tempt David?
Question: Just a quick question, I’m curious as to what your thoughts are. Do you believe that Bathsheba had some scheme in mind or was just as guilty as David was by bathing where she could be seen? After all, she was on her own property and perhaps, did not realize that someone would be watching…
Read MoreDoes Colossians 3:2 teach that it is a sin to think about sin?
Question: Is it a sin to think about sin? I read your article about this subject but what about Colossians 3:2? Does it say that it’s a sin to think about sin? Answer: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand…
Read MoreThoughts on Self-Control
Source: Brian Resnick, “The Myth of Self-Control,” Vox, 24 November 2016. Source: W. Hofmann, “Everyday temptations: an experience sampling study of desire, conflict, and self-control,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, June 2012, 102(6):1318-35. The author doesn’t believe self-control exists, yet oddly, he only proves that his definition of self-control is inaccurate. There is a strong…
Read MoreCan a person be baptized who is living with someone but not having sex?
Question: Can a person be denied baptism if he is living with his fiancée but isn’t committing fornication because they saw the error of their ways Answer: Paul declared “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20). If a person realizes that fornication is sinful, then why is…
Read MoreHow can I stay out of fornication?
Question: Evening sir, I need spiritual deliverance. I am a married man, but before my marriage, I was lost in fornication. I even dragged my fiancee into it. We realized later that it was not good and confess our sins. However, I couldn’t get control over my sexual desire, to the extent that I masturbated…
Read MoreDoes God have empathy with His children when they make mistakes?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Does God have empathy for His children if they make mistakes or if they’re growing slowly, or does He just want us to be mature and not make any mistakes at all right off the bat? If a child of God desires to grow but allows distractions and other things to…
Read MoreShould I have said something when I saw my sister and her boyfriend laying on her bed?
Question: My sister was in her room with her boyfriend, laying on her bed. I accidentally saw them when I let the dog into the room. I think I made a mistake by closing the door again. Should I say something, or is this okay? I feel like even though nothing might happen, it could…
Read MoreSometimes I feel like I’m the only person struggling with strong sexual temptations
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I see in the Scriptures that spiritual battles are spoken of, especially by Paul. What are spiritual battles? Would it constitute a strong temptation Satan places to go back to an old sinful habit? I feel sometimes that my strong temptations toward sexual things and lust make me an impure person, who…
Read MoreMy boyfriend is pushing to have sex
Question: Good day, Please, I have something bothering me about my relationship. I have been dating my spouse for a year and a half now, but he has been asking for sex recently, and I don’t wish to engage in such activities. For now, we can’t afford money for our wedding. My question is: can…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t God remove the temptation?
Question: Mr. Hamilton, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior in my early twenties. Through a re-commitment of my life, I started studying the Bible when I was in my late twenties and have continued to do so for nearly forty years. I have many Christian friends who are pastors, Bible teachers, friends, etc.,…
Read MoreWe are having a really hard time not having sex before our wedding
Question: Hello, I have a question concerning sex before marriage. My fiancé and I are getting married in about four months, and we are having a really hard time with not having sex. Here’s why we are struggling so much. We are so ready to commit fully to each other and bring our lives together…
Read MoreIs there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution?
Question: Hi Jeff, Is there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution? Thanks. Answer: In English, a trial is any difficult situation, including temptations and persecution. Temptation is when you desire something but realize that to get what you want, you would have to break a law of God. Persecution is when others make life…
Read MoreHow does Satan tempt people?
Question: Dear sir, I believe I read where possibly you and many others say that Satan can’t get into our heads. OK, so while still under the Old Testament, he tempted Job. Then he, I’m assuming, physically tempted Christ. If he brought Jesus up to see the kingdoms of the world, then isn’t that physically tempting…
Read MoreIf God doesn’t tempt people with evil, then why did God command the Rechabites to drink wine?
Question: In James 1:13 God says he will not tempt anyone with evil. But compare with Jeremiah 35:2-5. If drinking wine (other than for medicinal purposes) is a sin, why did God tell the prophet to bring wine into the house of the Lord and tell the people to drink it? Thank you. Answer: Sin…
Read MoreJames on Trials
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JamesOnTrials.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 1:1-27 I. The book of James is written to Jewish Christians who were scattered by persecution – Acts 8:1-4 A. This is one indication that James is one of the first books written B. It is that persecution that sets up the theme for the first part of the book…
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