You are listening to Radical with David Platt , a weekly podcast with sermons and messages from pastor , author and teacher David Platt . Here's the question I want you to think about today what are the most common temptations that you face in your life so the marshmallows , to use that illustration that your eyes and your fingers are most drawn toward . What are the most common lures to sin that you are prone to be enticed by ? Let's just take 30 seconds to either bring to mind or maybe to write down what are the most common temptations you face . Let's take a moment . God help us to see in our lives how we're most lured towards sin . So take a moment to reflect on that question before God . I obviously don't know all that's coming to your mind .
Speaker 1Maybe you're often tempted to anger . Maybe you're often tempted by envy or jealousy of who others are or what others have . Maybe you're tempted by lust , maybe by pornography . The list of ways we might be tempted to sexual immorality is long and varied . Do you struggle with temptations to gossip or slander ? Do you struggle with temptation to lie or cheat ? Do you struggle with addiction to anything from alcohol to social media ?
Speaker 1For many , our most common temptations are evident in the way we use our phones ? Are you tempted to base your identity on what others think about you ? Are you tempted by materialism ? Are you tempted to get more instead of giving more ? Are you tempted to spend too much or to eat too much ? And then keep in mind temptations don't just revolve around things we might be tempted to do that we shouldn't . Temptations can also be things we're tempted not to do that we should .
Speaker 1So are you tempted by prayerlessness , tempted to go throughout your busy day apart from concentrated and continual time in prayer ? Are you tempted to ignore God's word or just to give passing attention to it ? Are you tempted to keep God's word to yourself instead of sharing it with others ? Are you tempted to lack trust in God with this or that part of your life , or to lose trust in God when you walk through trials in your life ? Are you tempted by worry or anxiety about different things in your life ? Are you tempted to ignore injustice or oppression , to ignore people who are in need ? I could keep going , but I trust we realize we are surrounded by all kinds of temptations all day long . We live every moment , in a sense , in that chair from that video with all kinds of enticements before us all the time . I'm going to put this up on the screen and we're going to go through it quickly , but before we even look at Proverbs 7 , I want to remind us of truths we see all over the Bible that form the foundation for this chapter .
Speaker 1First and foremost , we live in a spiritual world and we often forget this . We're so immersed in a rationalistic , naturalistic , western mindset that explains everything by science and technology . Seriously , how can you believe God controls thunder and lightning when meteorologists can use satellite pictures and computers to predict storms a week before they even happen ? How can you say a personal tempter engages our wills in a battle of good and evil , when we know it's the configurations of our DNA or our family history that lead us down certain paths ? We do things just because we're naturally made that way , and this naturalistic worldview has deadened us to the reality of the spiritual world around us To the point where we see spiritual explanations of anything almost like religious lunacy . In the book Screwtape Letters , cs Lewis depicts an older demon named Screwtape giving advice to a younger demon named Wormwood , and Screwtape says at one point to his younger protege I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient talking about the person they're tempting in the dark . The fact that devils are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you . If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind , suggest to him a picture of something in red tights and persuade him that since he can't believe in that , he therefore cannot believe in you . So we often think about spiritual explanations or spiritual temptations as fantasy or fiction and as a result , we don't realize we're involved in a spiritual war .
Speaker 1I want to make sure to distinguish here , particularly in Metro DC at this time of year . We're not talking about a political war or a culture war or a fight for our nation . We're talking about something much deeper than all these things . We're talking about what Ephesians 6 calls a battle not against flesh and blood , but with spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places . We're talking about the battle for your heart and mind that is happening every time you're scrolling through your phone . We're talking about the spiritual battle that's playing out in the thoughts you have , the desires you possess , the words you use , the attitudes you have the desires you possess the words you use , the attitudes you have , the decisions you make , the relationships you're in , because it's not just our lives . There's a spiritual war at work in your family members' lives , in your friends' lives , your co-workers' lives . There's spiritual battle taking place in every single person you see around you right now and over 8 billion people in the world , and the stakes in this spiritual war are high . Casualties in this war don't merely lose a limb or even an earthly life . Eternity , heaven and hell are at stake in this spiritual war . In addition to so much in our lives
right now .
Speaker 1Just think about it . Any one of us could do one thing this week that could have a devastating effect on our lives and others lives around us , or maybe , more likely than just one big thing , maybe a number of small things . To go back to the screw tape letters at one point screw tape talks about the value of tempting subjects to small sins , he tells Wormwood . You will say that these are very small sins and doubtless , like all young tempters , you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness . But it does not matter how small the sins are , provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the light and out into the nothing . Indeed Screwtape says the safest road to hell is the gradual one , the gentle slope soft underfoot , without sudden turnings , without , without mileposts , without signposts , which leads to this last biblical truth I'll put on the screen before I come back and give you one more .
Speaker 1At the end in this spiritual war that is raging in you and around you and me , there is an adversary in this world who wants to destroy us . The bible Bible calls him the devil . His name means the slanderer . Other places he's called the tempter , the liar , the accuser and the destroyer . The Bible does not describe the devil and demons , spiritual forces of evil , as a wimpy cartoon character trying to entice you , but as a lion looking to devour you . There is an adversary at work in your life right now who wants to destroy you . He wants to destroy your family , your marriage , your children , your parents . He wants to destroy your friendships . He wants to destroy your friendships . He wants to destroy your future , and not just here in this world . His aim is your eternal destruction . There are spiritual forces of evil working every single day , all throughout the day , toward that end in your life . This is where I'm hesitant to use that video , because we're not talking about a sweet treat on a plate . We're talking about real temptations with real consequences every single day of our lives .
Speaker 1So with that biblical framework , we're going to read Proverbs 7 , which is essentially a story about temptation to adultery . Yet it's deeper than just adultery . The whole book of Proverbs is essentially a father discipling his son , telling him how to live wisely . And wisdom , from the very first chapter of Proverbs , is personified as a woman calling out for him to follow her . And in Proverbs 8 , you look at it , right after this chapter , you see wisdom personified as this woman beckoning a son to follow her . But right before this , in chapter 7 , what we're about to read , we see another woman whom he follows instead . So what we're about to read is , yes , about adultery , but it's also about all kinds of temptations to sin and foolishness . So let's read it Proverbs 7 , verse 1 .
Speaker 1My son , keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you . Keep my commandments alive , keep my teaching as the apple of your eye , bind them on your fingers , write them on the tablet of your heart . Say to wisdom you are my sister , and call insight your intimate friend to keep you from the forbidden woman , from the adulteress with her smooth words . For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice . And I have seen , among the simple , I have perceived among the youths , a young man lacking sense passing along the street near her corner , taking the road to her house , in the twilight , in the evening , at the time of night and darkness . And behold , the woman meets him , dressed as a prostitute , wily of heart . And behold , the woman meets him dressed as a prostitute , wily of heart , she is loud and wayward , her feet do not stay at home . Now in the street , now in the market , in every corner , she lies in wait , she seizes him and kisses him , and with bold face , she says to him I had to offer sacrifices and today I have paid my vows . So now I have come out to meet you , to seek you eagerly , and I have found you .
Speaker 1I've spread my couch with coverings , colored linens from Egyptian linen . I've perfumed my bed with myrrh , aloes and cinnamon . Come , let us take our fill of love till morning . Let us delight ourselves with love , for my husband is not at home . He's gone on a long journey , journey he took a bag of money with him and at full moon he will come home . With much seductive speech , she persuades him with her smooth talk , she compels him all at once . He follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter or the stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver as a bird rushes into a snare . He does not know that it will cost him his life . And now , sons , listen to me and be attentive to the words of my mouth . Let not your heart turn aside to her ways . Do not stray into her paths . For many a victim has she laid low , and all her slain are a mighty throne . Her house is the way to Sheol , going down to the chambers of death . Did you see it ?
Speaker 1This whole chapter starts as a father's instruction to his son . He's telling him to view wisdom as his sister , as his intimate friend , and to keep away from foolishness , specifically called the forbidden woman here . And then he goes on to tell this story of a young man lacking sense who goes from simply taking a stroll in the beginning to finding himself in the end in the chambers of death in a matter of minutes . How does that happen ? How does temptation work ?
Speaker 1Let me show you the cycle of temptation in this chapter , and it's not necessarily always . I don't mean to imply it's a step-by-step process , but temptation usually involves a combination of these things . First , temptation waits as this simple young man goes out for a stroll . Did you hear verse 12 ? At every corner she lies and waits . What a picture of temptation . It's always there , waiting for you in all kinds of ways , all day long . You may think you're just going along in your day , but temptation is not staying home . It's lurking all around you . And then , just the right moment , temptation appears verse 13 . She seizes him and kisses him . She makes herself known to him . Now , keep in mind , temptation is not always this forward . This aggressive Temptation is often more subtle or passive .
Speaker 1Think about Genesis 3 . The serpent makes himself known with a simple , seemingly innocent question Did God actually say not to eat from any tree in the garden ? And does God really want your good ? Which leads to the next picture Temptation appeals . I've come out to meet you . Verse 15 says to seek you eagerly . I found you . I want you , I want your good . Temptation says .
Speaker 1Temptation appeals to our desires . In the words of John Piper , the power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier . No one sins out of a sense of duty . Temptation flatters you . You want , you deserve this . You are justified in this . Then temptation invites in verse 18 it's come , let us take our fill of love till morning .
Speaker 1In genesis 3 . It's come , take this piece In our lives . It's dwell on this thought , indulge this desire , say those words , react that way , take those steps and notice how the invitation comes with a promise . Temptation promises at least two things here in Proverbs 7 . It promises satisfaction You'll be delighted with love and it promises secrecy . No one will know . My husband is gone . Temptation promises to be good for you and devastating to no one . Yet it's interesting .
Speaker 1After all of that , it still seems that there's some pause in this young man . The very next verse tells us with much seductive speech she persuades him . And that's how temptation works . It allures , just continues to draw , persuade . It eventually compels him . That word capturing just the relentless allurement of temptation that we're all familiar with .
Speaker 1You ever resist temptation for a time , like you didn't blow up in anger at first , but they just kept nagging at you until you lose it . You choose not to scroll over those images at first , but later . You're tired , you're more vulnerable and you give in . You hear a sermon on giving . You decide , but give more generously . But after a couple of weeks you've completely forgotten and you're back to spending as before , you resolve to pray , to read the Bible . But life gets busy and other things get more important .
Speaker 1One writer put it this way temptation is rarely a single arrow to be avoided , but far more often a wide and prolonged wave of warfare meant to wear us down until we surrender . Temptation allures relentlessly . We resist at one corner . It waits to meet us around the next corner , where it starts all over again , and maybe from a totally different angle , until , in the words of verse 23 , he follows her like an ox going to the slaughter , like a stad caught fast until an arrow pierces its liver , like a bird rushing into a snare . He goes and he does not know it will cost him his life . Don't miss it . See , the aim , the end of all of this is to lure us to sin and lead to our destruction . Lure us to sin and lead to our destruction .
Speaker 1Whenever I read this chapter , I cannot help but think about a once really close friend of mine who was allured by someone , not his wife . I remember him packing his things and jumping into his car and driving away to go be with her , us pleading with him don't do it . And he went anyway , leaving his wife , leaving his daughter who loved him so deeply and leading to the loss of so much in his life . And we are obviously applying this text to temptation in general today . But for anyone who is in any way flirting with temptation to adultery or sexual immorality in any way , hear God graciously bringing you to this place in this moment to hear you say you're like an ox going to the slaughter . Don't do it . Hear his words speaking to you .
Speaker 1Temptation is aiming for your destruction . Open your eyes , see what's happening . It's waiting , it's appearing , alluring , appealing to you , inviting you , promising you so much , alluring you all to destroy you . So how do you fight this most important of all wars that's playing out in all kinds of ways in all of our lives ? Hear the word of God , three exhortations from a father to a son and God to us all , in Proverbs 7 . First , fill your mind with truth Verse 24 listen to me , be attentive to the words of my mouth . This is where the whole chapter started , in verse 1 . Keep my words , my son , treasure of my commandments , with you . Keep them as the apple of your eye , that language there is . Literally . Put the truth of God at the very center of your sight . Bind them on your fingers . Write them on the tablet of your heart . Live with wisdom like it's your intimate friend you love . It will keep you from the forbidden woman .
Speaker 1Temptation thrives on you not being close to God through his word and wisdom through his word . Temptation thrives on lies and deception in this world , which means the way to fight temptation is to fill your mind with truth . It's how Jesus fought temptation in Matthew 4 , tempted three times . Every time he quotes God's word in response . He knew what God's word said . He knew it was true , he knew it was good . So meditate on his word , memorize it , write it on the tablet of your heart , love it . Read this word not just to check off a box in your day . Read it because it's critical to your life . Keep my commandments and live Life and death depends on having this word hidden in your heart . So fill your mind with it .
Speaker 1And then , before we move on , let's not overlook the fact this father in Proverbs 7 is doing all he can to pass God's word to his son , to the next generation . So let's not just fill our minds with truth , let's fill others' minds with truth . Parents , are you teaching your children the word of God ? Are you helping them to meditate on it and memorize it and love it . Are you showing them what that looks like in practice in your life Such a way way they're passing that on to them so they're ready for spiritual war in this world ? We can run them around from this practice to that activity in pursuit of success according to this world , but we are only setting them up for failure if we don't give them God's Word . Prepare your children to fight temptation coming at them from all sides with truth and wisdom that you've poured into them , and not just parents , but for us as a church to prioritize passing on truth to the next generation so that they can live .
Fill your mind , mind , fill their minds with truth and then guard your heart with vigilance . This is exact language from proverbs 4 , 23 . Keep your heart with all vigilance , for from it flow the springs of life , and it's here again in proverbs 7 , 25 . Let not your heart turn aside to her ways . And interestingly , we read these exact words from Jesus in our Bible reading as a church family this last week in Mark , chapter 7 .
Speaker 1For from within , out of the heart of man , come evil thoughts . Sexual immorality , theft , murder , adultery , coveting , wickedness , deceit , sensuality , envy , slander , pride , foolishness . All these things come from within and they defile a person . Do you see how temptation starts in your mind and in your heart ? Makes sense , right ? If we don't want to commit adultery , then guard your heart against lust . If you don't want to commit murder , then guard your heart against hate . If you don't want to commit theft , then guard your heart against covetousness in your life . Like guard your desires . Not everything you desire is good , and even that statement is controversial in our day . We just bought into the lie that because we desire it , that makes it good . No , just because you have a desire for something does not mean you're obligated to fulfill that desire , because that's the way you're made . See how temptation is appealing to our desires , flattering us , promising us , alluring us . Guard your hearts . Out of the first sinning , come into the world .
Speaker 1Genesis 3 , 6 . The woman saw the tree was good for food . It was the delight to the eyes , it was to be desired to make one wise . So she took of its fruit and ate , and she gave some to her husband , who was with her , and he ate . They didn't fill their mind with truth and they didn't guard their hearts with vigilance .
Speaker 1And you keep reading this chapter and you see , immediately they started blaming each other and blaming God for what they had done . We do the same thing today . She made me angry . He caused me to do that me angry . He caused me to do that In marriage . It's my spouse isn't satisfying me , so I need to find someone else who is In singleness . It's I'm willing to find somebody outside of marriage who will satisfy me . Or with so much sexual immorality in our day , it's God you made me this way .
Speaker 1No , james 4 , 13 . Let no one say , when he is tempted , I'm being tempted by God . Fill your mind with truths from God and guard your heart with vigilance before God and watch your steps at all times . Verse 25 . Let not your heart turn aside to her ways . Do not stray into her paths . Do you realize ?
Speaker 1This whole chapter started with a stroll . It started with a young man wandering instead of watching out . There's a reason . First , peter 5 says be sober-minded , be watchful . Your adversary , the devil , prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking someone to devour you every day . Be alert , resist him . This is not passive , james 4 , 7 , 8 . Submit yourselves , therefore , to God . Resist the devil and he will flee from you . Draw near to God and he will draw near to you , not ignore the devil , and he will flee from you . No , resist him . And how do you do that ? You draw near to God instead , and this is where I want you to see the most important truth Proverbs 7 and all over the Bible that you must not miss , because if you miss this truth , you will lose the battle against temptation in your life , guaranteed . If you walk away from today committed to doing everything you can , doing more , to fight temptation , you will fail . Think about it . Your adversary is a lion . You're not . If you see a lion and you say I'm going to do everything I can to fight him , it's not going to work out well for you . You need help and I have good news for you .
Speaker 1Remember how we set this whole picture up . We live in a spiritual world and a spiritual war , and the stakes are high your life , your relationships , your family , your future forever . It's all at stake in this spiritual war and there's an adversary in this world who wants to destroy you . But I want you to hear this one final truth there is an ally over this world who wants to save and satisfy you . Hear this good news in this battle in this world , the God who made you the God you are tempted to turn from , the God whom you have turned from . We all have . We've all given in to temptation to trust our ways instead of God's word . We've all been this foolish man , woman , done the things we want and as a result of our sin , which has brought unimaginable destruction in the world , we're all in a row that leads to eternal destruction beyond this world . Holy judgment , do our sin before a just and holy God .
Speaker 1But the good news of the Bible , the greatest news in all the world , is that God has not left us alone in this battle , and God has not left us alone in our sin and eternal destruction . God has come to us in the person of Jesus . He's come to this world and he lived . Jesus lived a life of no sin , unlike anybody else in the history of the world . He didn't give into temptation one time and then , even though he had no sin for which to die , he chose to die on a cross to pay the price
.
Speaker 1For what ? For your sin and my sin , for the sins of all who trust in him . And then , three days later , jesus rose from the grave . He defeated sin and death for us , so that anyone , anywhere , no matter what you've done , no matter how you've given in , no matter how this picture of Proverbs 7 is played out in your life , if you will simply turn from your sin and trust in Jesus to save you from your sin , he will forgive you of all of it and give you eternal life with him , starting now with his spirit inside you . So if you have never put your trust in God's love for you , in Jesus to save you from your sin , give you eternal life and restored relationship with God , I invite you to do that today .
Speaker 1Don't believe the lies of this world that your best life is according to your ways . Believe the God who made you , that he knows you and what is best for you in your life now and for all of eternity . And once you trust in Jesus and for all who has , then do not fight against temptation in your flesh . Fight against temptation and the power of his spirit living in you . Don't try to fight this battle alone . Rise every morning and say Jesus , me . Then listen to his word and walk in fellowship with his spirit all day long , looking to him to give you the power to overcome temptation all day long , knowing that he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world , your ally , who's over all the world , the one who conquered sin and death , is living inside you to save you from sin , not just for eternity , but today , this week , and he will satisfy you .
Speaker 1You look back at that cycle of temptation and you realize how Jesus enables you to overcome temptation , because he's waiting to satisfy you at every turn . He has appeared not just 2,000 years ago , but he's with you right now , always appealing to your good , and he actually knows what will lead to your good , and he invites you every day to experience what is truly good in your life . He promises you true satisfaction and he always keeps his promises . And he allures you with new mercy , waiting for you every single morning and following after you all the day long . So how do you fight the alluring temptations of this world ? With the alluring love of Jesus for you and the almighty power of Jesus in you . That marshmallow picture is not a perfect illustration . It breaks down to many levels , but the kids who held on knew something better was coming .
Speaker 1Ladies and gentlemen , fight temptation with the knowledge that someone better has come . Jesus , god in the flesh , has come . He's made full light , free from the destructive power of sin , available to you and me now and forever . So fill your mind with his truth , guard your heart with his vigilance , watch your steps at all times by the power of his spirit inside of you , and live .
Speaker 1So I want to give you a moment alone with God , specifically in a time of confession . If you've never trusted in Jesus as the Savior and Lord of your life , then I want to invite you in this quiet moment to confess you're a sinner before God and ask God to save you from your sin , put your trust in what Jesus has done on the cross for you and for all who have done that , who are trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord , that who are trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord . I want to give you a couple moments to confess before God how you have given in to temptation , how you are struggling with sin , just to be honest with Him , what he already knows and to ask God for His forgiveness . And to ask God for his forgiveness and to ask God for his help in fighting those specific temptations . We hope you've enjoyed this week's episode of Radical with David Platt . For more resources from David Platt , we invite you to visit radicalnet .