Temptation of Sin – The Path to Victory, Genesis 3:1–24; John 1:29; 1 John 1:7

 

Sermon . Temptation of Sin – The Path to Victory
Genesis 3:1–24; John 1:29; 1 John 1:7

Blessing: Beloved lovers of the Word! May the Lord graciously grant you, through today’s meditation, the spiritual discernment and tools needed to overcome the sin that so easily entangles. Amen.

1. Listen, my beloved in Lord. Let me explain the nature of sin. The outcome of temptation is dreadful. Just as sparks are drawn to the fire, so too is sin drawn to those who give it attention. If touched, it clings. Even if you try to shake it off, it won’t leave without leaving its mark—without burning, without bringing pain. A single spark, once attached, cannot be easily removed. It causes damage, and even if slight, it leaves tears behind.
2. The innocent, the ignorant, the weak, the simple-minded, those who fear authority, the careless, and those who listen to evil voices—all are susceptible to temptation. Even if such individuals appear devout or have walked in faith for ten years, if they secretly harbor desire for sin and indulge in it inwardly, they will inevitably fall when that temptation comes to life.
3. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, though innocent, fell. They could not escape the grip of that terrible deception. Merely standing and listening to the serpent led to their downfall. They trusted a voice they had never heard before. In a world without sin, sinless beings believed a deceitful voice—and were ruined. They disregarded the warning of God’s Word. They paid attention to and believed the voice of Satan—the enemy of God and man—and were led into destruction.

4.     This terrifying sin that has come as a result of disobedience to God holds great power. Weakness is called a “temptation” — we cannot escape it by our own strength. We must not assume in this life that we can somehow find our own way out of such sin. These are extremely burdensome, emotionally draining efforts with very little result.

5.     We claim to be devout, and we believe we are beyond the temptations of Satan. We think we are no longer under such power, that our souls have been delivered from it. Many believers think this way. But when we examine their stories closely, they are often tragic. Their circumstances are very different, and the fruit of their faith is often very sorrowful. They cry, “Alas! How did I change like this?” “Oh no! Why did I go wrong?” “Why did I fall?” — “Lord, forgive me this time!” “Lord, save me this time!” “Lord, heal me this time!” How many times have believers wept in such distress saying, “I have finally learned my lesson, I will not return to it again”?

6.     Sin is the result of yielding to temptation. No matter how many temptations come — whether from Satan, demons, or influenced humans — people may become lawbreakers, deceivers, and fraudsters. But no matter who it is, when, or where — however severe the temptation — it remains just that: a temptation, not a sin. Only when we yield to it or commit the act does it become sin.

7.      Each person is drawn away by his own lust. The sin-nature within him and his own evil desires attract him. — James 1:14.

8.     A magnet — when brought near a heap of mixed metal pieces like iron bits, needles, and also silver or gold fragments — will attract only those pieces that respond to its magnetic power. The rusted iron scraps will cling to it, but will the gold pieces stick to it? In the same way, those with a rusted (impure) heart run toward Satan's temptation and cling to it, but will those who are like purified gold — the saints — be drawn and defiled?

9.     In a radio, one wire is connected to a battery or power source. But do you know where the second wire goes? It is grounded into the earth. Only then does current flow and the radio works. Without grounding, the setup is incomplete. Similarly, even if Satan sends out his electric wire (temptation), unless we connect our wire (our desire) to it, neither he nor anyone else can operate through us. This second wire is our own will, our own craving, our own lust. If we guard our wire and do not connect it with Satan's line, we will not fall into sin. But if we connect it, we become weak, deceived, and led astray.

10.   Everyone is led astray by his own lust. For example, as soon as you see a tamarind fruit, your mouth waters. Why should your mouth water? What did the tamarind do? Its very nature is sour. Just by seeing it, your reaction is triggered. Likewise, when you see something sinful, and you start to "desire" it, you're already beginning to be corrupted.

11.    When you look at a well-ripened mango, your desire is stirred. But what did the mango do? It just ripened and sat there. It didn't chase after you. In the same way, when you look at those who are already steeped in sin — those who appear attractive to the eyes, those who are spiritually “ripe” in wrongdoing — who gets deceived? It is you who are led astray by your own lust. You're not deceived by them; you are deceived by your own desire.

12.   Everyone is led away by his own lust, deceived, and tempted. Isn’t that so?

13.   Therefore, no one should say, "I am being tempted by God." God never tempts anyone. He is the one who helps and protects. Whenever temptation or hardship comes, never say, “God is the one who brought this upon me.” That is not correct.— James 1:13–18.

14.   Some people say things like, “They deceived me,” or “They caused me to fall into sin.” But that is a false excuse. No one can cause me to sin without my consent, without my approval, or without my knowledge. When someone secretly harbors a desire inside and decides to fulfill it, they may outwardly act like they are unwilling — saying “no” on the surface — but slowly, gently, they follow after it. And in the end, they commit sin while making it appear that someone else forced them. But it is not really someone else’s compulsion.
If that were the case, haven’t many people approached and pressured you in the past? Did you give in to all of them?

15.   Neither demons nor Satan can do anything to me without my consent. The extent to which you give place to their temptation — to that extent they can act. They cannot forcefully make us do anything; it depends entirely on what we permit. God is not unjust toward us. The Creator knows this truth, which is why it is written: “Do not give place to the devil.” — Ephesians 4:27.

16. Even God does not force Himself upon us to do His good work if we don’t give Him space. The more we agree and open our hearts, the more He works. He does not violate our free will. — Mark 6:1–5. Blessing is Your will, O Lord. Receiving the blessing is my will. — Lord Jesus!

17.   When we give space to God, we receive His power. And with that power, when we resist Satan, he will flee. If someone does not resist but instead sleeps in the hands of the devil, he will be carried far away and cast down into the pit!— James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10–11.

18.   Desire, when conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. That is why we must be extremely cautious concerning sin.— James 1:15.

19.   Sin longs to rule over us — it is crouching at the door. Every moment it watches and waits, saying, “When will I get the chance? When will I catch him off guard?” Like a beast that waits to leap upon its prey, it is ever watchful.— Genesis 4:7.

20.  Sin entangles easily. In the beginning, it appears sweet, but in the end, it turns strange and bitter. At first, people embrace sin with joy, but eventually, it leads only to entrapment. Mustard seeds may seem pleasant to play with or to sow, but their plants — their branches — grow into thorny bushes!— Hebrews 12:22.

21.   To deliver us from this dreadful sin, the Lord Jesus Christ shed His eternal atoning blood. So do this: moment by moment, place your trust in His holy blood. A child born in the womb of a mother, in her blood, is surely her child. Even if that child goes astray and becomes corrupt, the fact that he was born from her blood remains true. Likewise, you were born through the redeeming blood of Jesus, who cleansed you from sin — so believe that you are truly His child. And because you are His child, return to Him.

22.  Become fully obedient. We must be wholly obedient to His will. Then, we will escape sin.— Ephesians 4:22–24.

23.  Lean upon Christ — just as a child leans upon its mother. Without depending on your own strength, but completely resting in Him, you will escape sin that falsely claims to protect but truly misleads.

24.  Truly, when sin approaches and we cast it far away — if we reckon ourselves as dead to it — we can overcome sin.— Job 11:13–19; Romans 6:11.Be sure to read these verses.

25.  We must remember Christ — who died and rose again for us — every moment. Blessed are those who meditate on God's Word day and night; through divine meditation, they will escape sin.

26.  Those who seriously reflect on and practice the above five principles will surely be delivered from the terrible bondage of sin.

27.  On this earth, Adam and Eve committed the first sin. Through that sin, the whole world became immersed in sinfulness.

28.  Every sin involves temptation from both outside and inside. Therefore, both internal and external temptations exist in every sin.

29.  Invisible power: In every sin, there is an invisible force at work. Though unseen, it is active. Just as in electrical wires — you can see the wire, but not the current flowing within — so also in sin, an invisible power is hidden but working.

30.  This invisible power in sin hides itself and operates through visible means, bringing temptation. This kind of temptation has led to the destruction of the entire human race.
— Ephesians 2:2.

31.   The invisible powers of evil can come face to face with us. Though they are unseen, they offer suggestions, show alluring hopes, and tempt us to commit sin. It is difficult to recognize these invisible forces, and that is why man easily gives in. Misinterpretations, twisting of meaning, harboring doubts, making decisions according to one’s own will, and falsely accusing others — all these occur under their influence.

Prayer: Heavenly Father! We thank You for today’s message. Grant us inner discernment through Your Holy Word so that we may understand the schemes of the flesh, the world, and Satan. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we may overcome them. We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

This message was preached by Father Devadasu in the year 1939.