Temptation: “The Devil

Made Me Do It”
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such
things." (Philippians 4:8)

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 Temptation
Temptations are everywhere for both adults and especially
teenagers. Temptation comes in all forms. The media–TV, radio
and the Internet give Christian teenagers access to more
information about sex, drugs, etc. and in turn, more temptation.
As you mature and grow into adulthood, you will face greater
temptation. This lesson will help you identify things that tempt you
and give you biblical strategies for dealing with temptation in a
positive, supportive and encouraging way.
 What is Temptation?

To entice or to allure to do something wrong by promise.

Merrian-Webster Dictionary

To make someone want to have or do something,

especially something that is unnecessary or wrong.

Cambridge Dictionary

To attract, to appeal strongly to, or invite.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.1)

 What Temptations Do You Face?
You may wonder why you experience so much temptation. No one is
above temptation. Teenagers can be vulnerable because they are
young and inexperienced about life. The first step in avoiding temptation
is to identify the things that tempt you. Think about the temptations you
face living in today’s society. Here are some common temptations teens
face are:

• Drugs Are these some of the temptations

• Sex you face? Do your friends face
• Gossip these same temptations?
• Drinking alcohol
Can you think of others? Write
• Fighting
them down on a sheet of paper.
• Lying
• Stealing
 Think About It!
As a Christian teenager, you also face temptations every day.
Satan targets Christian teenagers in particular because of their
beliefs and desire to walk uprightly before God. He offers them
many enticements to lure them away from an obedient and faithful
walk with Christ. As a Christian teenager are you tempted to do
bad things:

• more than you used to be?

• about the same now as you used to
be?
• less now than you used to be?

Think about your life before you accepted Christ.

Which of these situations apply to you?
 How Do You Feel?
When you are faced with temptations, how does it make you
feel? Analyze your feelings about experiencing temptations.

• Is the pressure of temptation difficult to

resist?
• Who influences you to make the
decision to give in or not to give in to
temptation?
• What role does your Christian values
play in making a decision about what to
do?
 How Do You Feel?
Think about the last time you were tempted. How did it make you feel?
Facing temptations and dealing with them can lead to a lot of different
feelings; especially when we are disobedient. You may feel guilt,
disappointment, confusion and even failure. What are some feelings you
have when you give in to temptation?

• Shame
• Pride
• Nothing
• OK about myself
• Disappointment

Which of these feelings apply to you? Can you think

of other feelings? Write them down.
 How Do You Feel

Guilt and shame are normal feelings to experience

when we give in to temptation. These are normal
human feelings. If you are sorry for what you have
done and you ask for forgiveness, God will forgive
you and take away the guilt.
 Satan and Temptation
Satan wants to separate you from God. Temptation is his way of
doing it. You are his target! Satan wants to tempt you in the
areas of your weakness to get you to sin. He can put thoughts
into your mind to cause you to do something you are not
supposed to do. We sin when we give in to the temptation.

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Read Romans 8:39
 What Do You Know?
The more you know about temptation the better you can resist it
and live a victorious life. Answer True or False to the following
statements.
• Sometimes God Tempts you as a test to see if you will resist.
Read James 1:13 – 15
• It is a sin to be tempted to do bad things. Read Matthew 18:7 – 9
• Christians are tempted as often as non-Christians. Read
1 Corinthians 10:13
• Some temptations are too hard to resist. Read Romans 8:26
• Temptation comes from the devil. Read Matthew 4:1
• If you give in to temptation, it is the devil’s fault.

Go to the next two slides to view the correct

responses to each statement.
 What Do You Know?
• Sometimes God Tempts you as a test to see if you will resist.
False. God does not tempt us. Satan does.
• It is a sin to be tempted to do bad things. False. Temptation
itself is not a sin. Giving in to the temptation is where the sin
comes in. Temptation begins with a thought and becomes a sin
when we allow the thought to become an action to fulfill our
cravings and desires. Read Matthew 18:7 – 9
• Christians are tempted as often as non-Christians. True. As
believers, we are not exempt from temptation. Read 1
Corinthians 10:13
 What Do You Know?
• Some temptations are too hard to resist. True. When you are
operating in the flesh, some temptations are difficult to resist.
You have the Holy Spirit to help you during times of temptation.
Read Romans 8:26
• Temptation comes from the devil. True. Read Matthew 4:1
• If you give in to temptation, it is the devil’s fault. False. You
cannot blame the devil for your sin. Giving in to temptation is a
choice. God created you with free will. You make your own
choices.

How much did you already know about

temptation? What new information did you learn?
 What Do You Know?

Harmless thought Thought or desire

Start or desire
begins
is entertained
or explored

The sinful act is

committed to
fulfill the
craving
and desire

When we are tempted, we sometimes justify the sin by saying things

like, “everybody is doing it, or “God will forgive me, so I might as well
do it”. Does this describe you?
 Consequences
When you face temptation you have a choice to give in to the temptation
or avoid it. The choice you make will always have an effect on your
future. The impact can be small or affect your future for a lifetime.
Review the list of temptations below and decide the impact on your
future if you did not resist them.
• Stealing
• Cheating on a test
• Lying to your parents
• Doing drugs
• Drinking alcohol
• Having sex before marriage
• Joining a gang

Is the impact one month, one year or a lifetime?

 Temptation Example
When Brian was in 5th grade, he rode in a bicycle competition. The rules were
very simple. If you complete five miles, you won a lot of prizes.

About 2 miles into the race, Brian realized that he didn’t want to complete the
race (he was tired), however, he wanted the prizes. Then he heard a little voice
in his head say, “Brian, turn around, take a short cut, go to the finish line and
pretend that you rode all 5 miles."

At that point the temptation to lie was planted.

Next, he heard a little voice say, “Brian you deserve those prizes. No one will
ever know that you cheated."
Then, Brian rode to the finished line, received applause from the crowd, and
picked up his prizes and went home.

What do you think about Brian’s choices? Did he sin? What

are the consequences for his actions? Are they long term?
 Consequences
One key to facing temptation is to recognize your
weaknesses and take full responsibility for your actions.
 Jesus Was Tempted!
You already know that temptation is a part of being a
Christian and a teenager, you must realize that you are not
immune to temptation. Did you know that Jesus was
tempted? If Jesus can be tempted, anyone can be tempted.
Read about Jesus’ response to temptation in the book of
Matthew.

Read Matthew 14:1 - 11

 Avoid Temptation!
Some temptations are minor and easy to overcome, but other
times the desire seems too great. Remember, that temptation is
not sin. We sin when we give into the temptation. No matter how
desirable, appealing or inviting the sin may be, you must say “no”.
Do not get suckered into Satan’s web of deceit! Here are some
ways you can avoid and overcome temptations.

• Know your temptations. When you know what tempts you, you
can better handle the temptation. Avoid putting yourself in
situations that may encourage you to be tempted.

• Pray. Talk to God about the temptation you face. Stay in

constant communication with Him. Pray for the strength to
overcome the temptation. Read Matthew 26:41
 Avoid Temptation!
• Study God’s Word. Learn what the Bible says about your
areas of temptation for inspiration and guidance. Read
Psalm 119:11

• Rely on God. God will be your strength when you are

weak. He will help you resist the temptation. Read
Ephesians 6:10 – 11.

• Run away from temptation! Read 2 Timothy 2:22

• Use the Buddy System. It helps to have a friend or leader

who you can trust and talk to about your situation. They
can hold you accountable.
 Conclusion
When you experience temptation, know that God is there for you.
In His word, God makes two important promises to you when you
face temptations. God promises that He will make sure that the
temptation is never more than you can handle, and He will give
you a way out of the temptation if you ask. God is always there
for you to lean on when you experience temptation. Trust Him!

Say 1 Corinthians 10:13 when you feel tempted

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And
God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Read
the scripture aloud and replace the words “you” or “your” with “I” or “me”
 Stay Strong
Study these scriptures to learn more about and how to avoid or
overcome temptation.

• Genesis 3:1 – 7
How temptation began
• James 1:13 – 15
God does not tempt us
• Matthew 26:41
Pray to Avoid Temptation
• Hebrews 2:18
Jesus Understands
 Citation
American Psychological Association (APA):tempt. (n.d.). The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved June 05, 2008, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionaryreference.com/browse/tempt

Lynn, David (2001). Junior High/Middle High Talk Sheets. El Cajon, CA: Youth Specialties Books.

Mahoney, Kelli (2007). Top 8 Ways for Christian Teens to Avoid and Overcome Temptation.
Retrieved June 5, 2008, from Christianteens.about.com Web site:
http://christianteens.about.com/od/advice/tp/OvercomeTempata.htm

Student's Life Application Study Bible NLT. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Taylor, Latonya (May/June 2001). How Do I Resist Temptation?. Christianity Today, [59(9)], 10.
The End