Victory Over Temptation

Genesis 25:27-34 NIV

27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.So Esau despised his birthright.

Appetite - a strong desire that seeks total satisfaction in a substance or activity

Appetites are:

1. God-given

2. Distorted by sin

3. Never satisfied

How you handle your appetites will determine the direction and quality of your life.

3 Things About Appetites:

1. Appetites whisper "now," never "later."

2. Appetites trade the future for the present.

3. Appetites must be ruled, or they will rule you.

How do we have victory over temptation?

I. Respect your body's boundaries.

II. Inspect how you are wired emotionally.

1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

How do we have victory over temptation?

I. Respect your body's boundaries.

II. Inspect how you are wired emotionally.

III. Discover what has wounded you socially.

You won't grow if you are not known.

Matthew 12:43-45 NIV

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

You don’t need reformation; you need regeneration.

How do we have victory over temptation?

I. Respect your body's boundaries.

II. Inspect how you are wired emotionally.

III. Discover what has wounded you socially.

IV. Invite Jesus into the home of your heart.

Don’t just give God your sin; give Him your soul.