It’s one thing to be tested on the outside (trials); it’s another thing to be tested on the inside (temptation). God may allow temptations in order to strengthen our faith. But Satan desires to tempt us to weaken our faith. In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Screwtape Letters, a senior demon wrote to a trainee, saying, “All the habits of the [Christian], both mental and bodily, are still in our favor.” Today, we consider how temptation works and find workable solutions to overcome it.

I. The Source of Temptation (vv. 13-14)

II. The Course of Temptation (vv. 14-15)

III. Our Resource in Temptation (vv. 16-18)

Talk with God: Ask the Holy Spirit which areas of your faith need to be shored up and strengthened.

Talk with others: With your Connect Group, discuss some practical things you can implement in your daily life to avoid common temptations.

Talk with kids: Who is the Holy Spirit?