{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Answer - Week 14: Why Am I So Tempted?","description":"Common questions on this age old topic:     \u2043    Why is sin so tempting?     \u2043    Why do I do things I don\u2019t want to do?     \u2043    How can I conquer temptation?     \u2043    Where can I find strength to resist?     \u2043    Why is this so difficult? Genesis 3:1-7 - First sin in the Bible.  But prior to sin, Adam and Eve were in a time of blissful innocence. A perfect creation, perfect relationship with God, perfect relationship with each other. No death, no sorrow, no pain, but that would change once sin came. Who is the serpent in Genesis 3:1? We find the answer in Revelation 12:9 \u201cThe great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.\u201d  Satan is a Hebrew word meaning - the adversary, the enemy. And the serpent takes on the form of a serpent.  We read what Jesus says about the devil in John 8:44 that the devil \u201cwas a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.\u201d Satan\u2019s Garden Strategy      \u2043    Doubt God\u2019s Word -  Genesis 3:1 the devil says to Eve \u201cDid God really say, \u2018You must not eat from any tree in the garden\u2019?\u201d  The devil plants doubt. Eve replies in Genesis 3:2-3 that they could eat fruit from the trees except not from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, lest they would die.      \u2043    Deny the consequences - Then the devil replies in Genesis 3:4 \u201c\u2018You will not certainly die,\u2019 the serpent said to the woman.\u201d The devil moves her toward denying the consequences.      \u2043    Deify ourselves - The devil continues in Genesis 3:5 \u201c\u2019For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.\u2019\u201d We want to be in control instead of allow God to be. Then we read in Genesis 3:6 \u201cWhen the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate it.\u201d From this we learn that temptation comes with: Passion - I want things that I like and that look good Pleasure - I want things that give me joy and comfort Pride - I want to be in control 1 John 2:16 we read, \u201cFor everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - does not come from the Father but from the world.\u201d Our story continues in Genesis 3:7 \u201cThen the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made a covering for themselves.\u201d They now understood good and evil, their eyes were opened to evil and they had shame, sorrow, loss, pain, suffering, guilt. Sin took away their blissful innocence. What happened next? Then we read in Genesis 3:21 \u201cThe Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.\u201d What does this tell us? It tells us that sin brought death to an innocent victim - an animal was slain - and it shows us sin has a consequence - Sin must be paid for by an innocent victim - and this is a foreshadowing of the Lamb of God - Jesus - who would lay down His life on a cross for us, because we all have fallen for the devil\u2019s garden strategy.  1 Corinthians 10:13 \u201cNo temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.\u201d Confronting Temptation:     \u2043    Remember Jesus, who He is and what He did - 2 Timothy 2:8  We are to keep our eyes focused on Jesus     \u2043    Resist the devil and he will flee from you - James 4:7     \u2043    Run from temptation and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace - 2 Timothy 2:22     \u2043    Replace our focus on the things that destroy with the things that build us up. We are not to focus on the things that are tempting, but rather we should focus on what God\u2019s word says. Let His word take root in our lives because God\u2019s word give us power and strength, direction and guidance- Psalm 119:11      \u2043    Rely on the Holy Spirit who leads us to faith and brings to mind the teachings of Jesus - Romans 8:6 Pastor closes with a beautiful hymn that his mother taught him. Now What? Learn about God at https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"