Family Matters pt 8
LEAD US
The 5th principle to building great relationships from the Lord’s Prayer is… Lead us not into!
Matthew 6:13 NKJV “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Temptation can have a profound impact on our relationships, as it challenges our commitment, trust, and integrity. IN THE Bible, we see several examples of how yielding to temptation
can lead to strained or broken relationships.
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): The very first instance of temptation in the Bible led to the fall of man, this act of disobedience led to their expulsion from the garden and introduced sin into the world, affecting their relationship with God & each other & Mankind.
LESSON: The serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and she then gave some to Adam. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- Cain and Abel (Genesis 4): Cain because of jealousy yielded to anger which led to the first murder, significantly impacting their familial relationship and bringing a curse upon Cain.
LESSON: Our Choices have consequence’s.
- Samson and Delilah (Judges 16): Samson was tempted by his love for Delilah. His yielding to temptation led to his downfall and ultimately affected his mission, his Nation and his relationship with God.
LESSON: Wrong relationship’s and poor boundaries will lead to poor decisions and destruction.
- Achan’s Sin (Joshua 7): Achan was tempted by riches and took the devoted things from Jericho, which God had prohibited. His actions brought trouble not only upon himself, his family, but also upon the entire Israelite community, impacting their relationship with God.
LESSON: Not fearing the Lord makes us vulnerable to sin.
- Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75): Peter was tempted by fear and self-preservation and denied knowing Jesus three times.
This moment of weakness affected his relationship with Jesus and caused deep sorrow & could’ve cost him his ministry, PTL though that Jesus never gives up on us, Peter was restored through forgiveness & repentance.
ALL these stories remind us of the far-reaching consequences of temptation and the importance of seeking God’s guidance to maintain strong and faithful relationships.
WHICH means recognizing and resisting temptation in our relationships
requires;
– vigilance
– discernment &
– reliance on God & each other.
THE Bible offers wisdom and practical steps to help us navigate these challenges.
- Stay in God’s Word:
Psalm 119:11 NKJV “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
By daily reading and meditating on Scripture, we renew our minds & fortify our hearts against temptation. Follow the pattern Jesus gave us when He was tempted (remember He overcame temptation, so you don’t have to yield to it) in the wilderness! IT IS WRITTEN! (What does the Word say) SPEAK THE WORD
- Build a strong Pray life:
In Matthew 6:13 NKJV Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
Prayer is a powerful tool in subjecting our wills to God & asking His help in recognizing and resisting
temptation. In essence Matthew 6 starts with some powerful keys about Prayer, Giving and our motives and in teaching on Prayer Jesus also show us the stress points of relational temptation’S
The very things we should do are the things we are more often than not tempted to not do (Respect, His will not ours, Daily, Forgive, yield to temptation, honor the Kingdom)
- Know Your Weaknesses:
James 1:12-15 NKJV “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, brings forth death.”
Knowing our personal vices & vulnerabilities is key in helping us to be on guard and to take proactive steps to avoid situations where we might be tempted.
One notable story is that of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. King David saw Bathsheba and was tempted by her beauty, leading him to commit adultery. This act not only affected his relationship with Bathsheba but also led to a series of consequences, including the death
of her husband, Uriah, and turmoil within David’s own family.
This passage highlights how unchecked temptation can lead to sin, which can ultimately damage relationships.
However, the Bible also offers guidance on resisting temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV “No 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.”
This verse encourages us to seek God’s help in overcoming temptation, which can help preserve and strengthen our relationships.
- Choose Accountability:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV “Two are better than one.…If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Having trusted friends or mentors who can provide support and accountability can be invaluable in resisting temptation.
- Flee Temptation:
1 Corinthians 10:14 NKJV “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.”
Sometimes the best course of action is to remove ourselves from situations where temptation is present, just as Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39.
- Focus on Love and Selflessness:
In relationships, prioritising love and selflessness can help counteract the selfish desires that often accompany temptation.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, and not self-seeking, which can guide us in maintaining healthy, godly relationships.
By seeking God’s guidance, staying rooted in His Word, and nurturing a community of support, we
can better recognize and resist temptation, safeguarding our relationships from harm. AS YOU remember to approach relationships with love, patience, and understanding, you will foster healthier and more resilient relationships, and then in the face of temptation you will get stronger
