This past Sunday, I shared part two of the series on temptations with the youth…
Introduction
Who here likes to fish? What do you do to catch a fish?
Use a hook. Use the right kind of hook. For a big fish, you need a big hook.
Use a lure. No fish will bite a hook without some sort of bait. Use the right kind of bait. Every fish is different. Some fish like worms, some like shiny pieces of metal.
Fish at the right location.
Be patient. You don’t just cast once, you cast many times until the fish bites.
When the fish bites, you yank hard so that the hook will get stuck in it’s mouth.
Then you let the fish tire out and reel it in.
The devil is fishing for us
Temptations are the exact same way. And it’s the devil that is trying to catch us. The devil wraps a nice juicy bait around a hook and just waits for us to grab it.
What are some things the devil says to try to get you to eat his bait? “Come on, you know you like this bait. You know you want it. Just take a little bite.”
What lure does the devil dangle in front of you?
How do you when you see a worm in front of you? Stare at the bait. Nibble on it. Flee. I’m a strong fish, I can take this bait.
Skits
Let’s look at some instances in the Bible where the devil goes fishing and tries to ensnare people.
Adam, Eve, Serpent
Jesus and the devil
Specific tips on dealing with temptations
Don’t focus on the pleasure of the moment. Think about the long term consequences.
Don’t focus on the bait, focus on the hook.
Don’t swim toward or circle the bait. Flee.
What would Jesus do? What would you do if Jesus was standing right beside you? Even Jesus was tempted. Morever, he was tempted in all things.
When you start rationalizing, it might be the devil talking:
“Everybody is doing it”
“It won’t hurt anybody”
“Nobody will know”
“You deserve it, you’ve been a good person for a long time.”
Who here are good procrastinators? Then use your powers of procrastination with the sin. Deal with temptations one day at a time. Lord’s prayer deals with temptations for that day, it’s not a one time prayer.
Talk with someone older and wiser about it – Pastor Tim, Elder, teacher, or a parent.
It’s much easier to deal with temptations when you’re looking at the bait than when you’ve got the hook in your mouth.
Verses
James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evilc, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it
1 Timothy 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erredc from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
1 Thessalonians 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.