Behind the Curtain, Part 2: “Legitimate Desires and Needs”
January 16, 2022

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Message Review

Behind every temptation, our faith is at stake because temptation is always a test of faith, not self-control.

Main Point | The temptation to sin is a test of faith.

Scripture References | Matthew 4:2-4, Deuteronomy 8:1-3, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Matthew 4:1-4

Challenge Question | How can you say “YES” to Jesus, right now in the midst of your biggest temptation?

Questions

  • Define sin and temptation in your own words. How do sin and temptation support one another?

  • Behind every temptation is a legitimate desire; a desire to meet a legitimate need. But the real temptation is to meet our needs in disobedient ways.” What would say is your biggest temptation?

  • Read Matthew 4:2-4. Regarding temptation, desire and need, what is being communicated in this passage? What does Jesus mean in verse 4? What is He referring to?

  • Regarding your biggest temptation, what would you say is the desire and need behind it? If you were to answer the way Jesus did in Matthew, what would that look like for you?

  • Read Deuteronomy 8:1-3. How can this apply to your life when you are faced with that temptation?

  • Read Jeremiah 17:7-8. What does trusting in the Lord look like for you in your everyday life? What would it look like to trust in the Lord when you are faced with your biggest temptation?

Next Step Challenge

The big question for you is, do you want to be free? Then say no to sin and yes to Jesus. Trusting and obeying Jesus isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. It’s how you say no to temptation. It’s how Satan loses power and control over your life and it’s how trust in God grows. True satisfaction comes when we trust, obey, and say YES to Jesus. Will this week be the week you finally say YES to Jesus by saying NO to that temptation? When will you do that and who will you tell? We are not transformed in isolation.

Yearly Bible Plan

  • Monday: Mark 10-11

  • Tuesday: Mark 12-13

  • Wednesday: Mark 14

  • Thursday: Mark 15-16

  • Friday: Luke 1

  • Saturday: Luke 2-3

  • Sunday: Luke 4-5

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.