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DISCOVERY GROUP COURSE
LESSON 8. DEFEATING EVIL
Teaching section
Temptation is a universal experience, and it increases rather than decreases once we have become Christians: naturally —- because we have changed sides. Temptation comes at us through:
1. "The world'' —- i.e., society, which leaves God out (1 John 2:15-16).
2. "The flesh'' —- i.e., our own fallen nature (Rom. 7:21-23).
3. "The devil'' —- i.e., the anti-God force of evil (1 Thess. 3:5).
Genesis 3 gives a wonderfully clear insight into the way temptation operates. Don't miss the important truths it has to teach.
Why should there be temptation?
Because we have a great outside enemy, Satan: not a figure of fun with cloven hooves but the concentration of evil, one of God's creatures who rebelled against God and wants to wreck all that is good in God's world. Does this seem incredible? Jesus clearly believed the devil existed (Matt. 4:1-11). Experience points the same way (1 Pet. 5:8-9).
How does temptation come?
Carefully disguised (Gen. 3:1). It never wears its true colors. It seeks to catch us by surprise. Satan cannot create —- only spoil.
Satan attacks through:
1. The body —- twisting its proper desires (v. 6).
2. The mind —- causing doubt about God's goodness (v. 1), his word (v. 1), his holiness (v. 4).
3. The ambition —- the itch to be top dog (vv. 3-4).
All are designed to reach the will —- disobedience (v. 6). Only when we yield does temptation turn into sin.
What are the results?
When we give in to temptation:
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it makes us feel guilty (vv. 7, 9-10).
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it often affects other people (v. 6).
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it makes God seem unreal and unwelcome (vv. 8-9); see Isaiah 59:1-2.
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it produces fear and moral cowardice (vv. 10-12).
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it brings God's judgment (vv. 14-19).
Where is the answer?
Verse 15: Jesus, "the woman's seed,'' crushed the serpent's head on Calvary. He endured the full force of temptation and overcame it. He is alive and lives within us as conqueror (Col. 2:15). He offers us his moral power to turn our defeats progressively into victories (Rom. 8:37).
Things to remember
a. Temptation is not sin. Yielding to it is.
b. Jesus was tempted more than we are, but he never gave in (Heb. 4:15).
c. Because Jesus won the war on Calvary, he can win our battles, too (Heb. 2:18).
d. There is always a way through —- if you will take it (1 Cor. 10:13). Ask for his strength when temptation strikes.
e. You can lose a battle —- many battles —- and still win the war. Take heart; he hasn't finished with you yet (1 John 3:2-3).
Thing to avoid
a. Don't flirt with the world —- society, films, magazines, talk, attitudes, ambitions that dull your love for Christ.
b. Don't spare the flesh —- that selfish "you'' needs to be kept on the cross daily so that the Spirit of Jesus can shine through you (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:13).
c. Don't compromise with Satan. Resist him (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9). Have nothing to do with the occult —- occult books and practices need to be confessed and gotten rid of (Acts 19:18-20). There is nothing so miserable as a half-hearted Christian life.
Verse to learn
Learn Philippians 4:13 (NIV): "I can do everything through him who gives me strength.''
Bible study section
The Bible passage for study is Luke 4:1-13.
1. To what temptations was Jesus subject? How would those temptations be translated into our day?
2. Is there anything significant about the time and place when temptation struck?
3. Jesus quoted various scriptures when handling these temptations (they came from Deut. 8:3; 6:13; 6:16). What do you learn from that?
4. In Eden (Gen. 3), man fell. In the desert, Jesus overcame. What comparisons and contrasts do you see in these two events?
5. The first and the last words of the passage are highly significant.
Prayer time
The group may care to share areas of weakness in their own lives, where temptation is particularly attractive, and pray for one another. God looks for holiness in us and offers us his Holy Spirit.
Bookshelf
Michael Green, I Believe in Satan's Downfall.
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters.
Jackie Pullinger, Chasing the Dragon.
John White, The Fight.
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To the introduction of this series