IMPACT Recap

Don't Do It

May 10, 2021 · 1:13:01

TemptationSinPrayer

Recap

Pastor Travis Hearn opened his Mother's Day message by acknowledging the mothers and grandmothers in the congregation. He then transitioned to a teaching on the universal human struggle with temptation, using the imagery of a fishing pole and bait to illustrate how the devil targets individual weaknesses. The sermon was grounded in the story of Adam and Eve's temptation in Genesis 3, highlighting the devil's timeless strategy of minimizing sin's destruction and maximizing its apparent delight. Pastor Travis emphasized that while temptation is not a sin, yielding to it is, and that all sin falls into the categories of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The message provided a balanced view, first examining human weaknesses—our own desires, bad influences, vulnerable surroundings, and the enemy, the devil—and then turning to the strengths God provides to overcome. These 'superpowers' include prayer, the Word of God, accountability within Christian community, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Travis concluded with a call to salvation and a prayer for God's strength and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, encouraging the church to live in the victory and abundant life Christ offers.

Main Points

  • Temptation is a universal battle where the devil baits us by targeting our unique weaknesses, but yielding to it, not the temptation itself, is sin.
  • To overcome temptation, we must understand our weaknesses: our own desires, bad influences, vulnerable surroundings, and our enemy, the devil.
  • God provides spiritual strengths to win over temptation: the power of prayer, the truth of His Word, accountability in community, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

Verses Mentioned

  • Genesis 3:4-6 - "‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When 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." (NIV)
  • Romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (NIV)
  • 1 Timothy 1:15 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (NIV)
  • 1 John 2:16 - "For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." (NIV)
  • James 1:13-15 - "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (NIV)
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’" (NIV)
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22 - "reject every kind of evil." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 4:15 - "Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way." (NIV)
  • Romans 7:21-25 - "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (NIV)
  • John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)
  • 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
  • Psalm 119:11 - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV)
  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (NIV)
  • James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (NIV)
  • 2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: James 1:13-15 - 'When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’...'

Focus Point: Recognizing the source of temptation.

Action Plan: Identify one recurring temptation in your life and write it down. Acknowledge it as a personal battle, not God's fault.

Deep Prayer: Lord, help me to see temptation clearly today. Give me the honesty to name my struggle and the strength to turn from it.

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: 1 Corinthians 15:33 - 'Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’'

Focus Point: Evaluating influences.

Action Plan: Consider the people you spend the most time with. Are they pulling you toward Christ or away? Make one positive adjustment to your social environment.

Deep Prayer: God, give me wisdom in my relationships. Surround me with people who encourage my faith and help me be a positive influence on others.

Wednesday

Scripture Reflection: Proverbs 4:15 - 'Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.'

Focus Point: Creating distance from temptation.

Action Plan: For the temptation you identified Monday, plan one practical step to avoid the situation or trigger that leads to it.

Deep Prayer: Father, show me the 'coats' I need to leave behind. Give me the courage to run from situations that compromise my walk with You.

Thursday

Scripture Reflection: Psalm 119:11 - 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.'

Focus Point: Arming yourself with Scripture.

Action Plan: Memorize one short verse that speaks directly to your area of temptation. Write it on a card and review it throughout the day.

Deep Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me internalize Your Word. Let it be my first defense when temptation comes my way.

Friday

Scripture Reflection: James 5:16 - 'Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.'

Focus Point: The power of accountability.

Action Plan: Pray for the courage to be vulnerable. Consider reaching out to a trusted, mature believer this week to share your struggle and ask for prayer.

Deep Prayer: Jesus, break my pride and isolation. Lead me to a safe person with whom I can be honest and find support in this battle.

Saturday

Scripture Reflection: 2 Corinthians 3:17 - 'Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.'

Focus Point: Relying on the Holy Spirit's power.

Action Plan: Spend 5 minutes in quiet prayer, asking specifically for the Holy Spirit's strength and filling to overcome your temptation.

Deep Prayer: God, I cannot do this on my own. I yield to Your Spirit today. Baptize me in Your power and give me victory and true freedom in Christ.

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