Now the serpant was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?”

Genesis 3:1

Satan is the accuser, liar, tempter.

His goal is to destroy and lead God’s children away from His will.

Just as God has a good plan for my life, satan has one for destruction.

He knows my weaknesses.

Temptation and sin always follow the same pattern.

Big sins start with small compromises.

Temptation is a deception; a lie that something bad is really good.

Forbidden fruit will make me like God.

It draws me out of the garden and away from the Father.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

No one is immune to sin.

There is a pattern, a lure, a misuse of what is good.

My own desires tempt me.

Desire for things outside of the will of God – things out of bounds.

“Does God (the Bible) really say that?”

“Just this once.”

“The Lord wants me to be happy.”

It may start in a grey area – but I always know it’s wrong.

Instead of fighting, walking away or building walls, I pick it up.

Sin is birthed.

It grows.

Once full grown it brings destruction and death.

• Death of a ministry.

• Death of a reputation.

• Death of a marriage.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made – mind, body, spirit.

Flesh starts the fight but the Spirit fights back.

I will lose if I stop fighting.

Submit yourselves then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Refuse to compromise or give in – starve the flesh, feed the Spirit.

• Feed it worship.

• Feed it prayer.

• Feed it God’s Word.

Temptation entices and incites – I must flee before I cannot resist.

Powerless over the pull.

Desires that destroy.

God always gives me a way out but when I stay too long, temptation grows to a place I cannot resist.

Temptation enters through open gates of eyes and ears.

A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28

Tomorrow’s temptations are prepared for today.

• I acknowledge my weaknesses.

• I know where the holes are in the fence.

• I build walls around them.

I fall when I stop fighting, go places I shouldn’t be or look at things I shouldn’t see.

When I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t go to the ice cream shop – the temptation is far too great.

It’s a battle I will most likely lose.

I understand my weaknesses and avoid people, places and things that cause me to trip and fall.

I don’t put myself in places where I am enticed.

I make decisions in advance – if such and such happens, I’m leaving.

Like Joseph, I flee.

Guard the gates where temptation sneaks in.

I create boundaries – “I don’t watch that” “I don’t listen to that” “I don’t go there”

Sin has consequences.

It dims my witness.

Weakens my testimony.

Has the potential to destroy my relationships and life.

The remedy is confession.

When I fail and fall, His grace covers me as I take ownership.

Confess and admit fault.

Repent – make changes and turn.

Be alert.

There is an enemy who prowls like a lion.

He seeks to devour and destroy.

Don’t stop fighting.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12