Bible Text: 1 Samuel 24:1-22 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | Intro: I would like to suggest that how you and I react or respond to temptation will determine the direction of our character and growth in Christ. We need to bear in mind that temptation comes in many forms and sizes. Also, bear in mind that Satan knows what tempts us the most.

Having this framework, please be aware that Satan cannot make us sin, nor can anyone else. All Satan can do to make the bait of sin look good to us and place doubt in our minds that God doesn’t really mean what he says.

So, tell me what are some possible temptations?
What are some of the reasons we experience temptations?

1. Temptation Will Come
1. James 1:2-4
2. Temptation gives us the opportunity to grow in our dependence and trust in God
2. There Will Be a Choice
1. What did Jesus do when He faced temptation
1. He leaned on the Word of God
2. He prayed
3. He acted in the power of the Holy Spirit
4. He chose not to take revenge on His false accusers
1. Rather, as He hung on the cross, He said, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do”.
5. He trusted the Father’s timing and plan
2. We are always responsible for the choices we make, good or bad.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. There Will Be Consequences to Our Choice
1. The peace of knowing we did the will of God
1. Grace in forgiveness
1. The continued development of our character in holiness
1. The inner turmoil of our disobedience to the will of God
1. Bitterness and anger of not forgiving
1. The reverting back to letting our sin natural control us
2. We become obsessed with our jealously and the need for revenge
Closing:
As you and I come around the Lord’s Table this morning, we need to let the Word of God and the Holy Spirit examine our hearts for any sin our our lives of which we need to confess and repent. I am sure you and I faced temptations recently. How did we do? Did we make the choice that honors God or dishonors God?

Now is the time to come clean with God.