F3 - October 23rd, 2022
Temptation - Trap of Self-Destruction
Part of At War
October 24, 2022

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. —James 1:13-15 ESV

Four phases of the temptation trap

1. Flirtation

Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plainand pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. —Genesis 13:12-13 NIV

2. Rationalization

So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. —Genesis 14:11-12 ESV

3. Transformation

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” —Genesis 19:1-8 ESV

4. Destruction

One day the older daughter said to her sister, “There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can’t get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children. Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.”

So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.

The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had intercourse with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.

As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. —Genesis 19:31-36 NLT

Escape Plan

1. Confess to God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 ESV

2. Confess to others.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. —James 5:16 ESV

F3 Discussion Questions

Icebreaker: What is your favorite Halloween movie/special?

1. Below is a list of some sins we encounter every day. As a group, discuss excuses we use to rationalize them:
- Speaking ill of someone behind their back.
- Lashing out in anger when someone cuts you off in traffic.
- Telling a “white” lie.

2. 2 Peter 2:7 says this, “and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men.” How do you reconcile Lot’s description as a righteous man with the events of his story?

3. Do you find it more difficult to confess your sins to God or to others? Why?

4. When you see a fellow Christian stray from God, are you prone to watch in disappointment, keep your distance so you aren’t negatively influenced, or seek ways in which God would have you bring this person back? Why?

Going deeper:

Pastor Ben asked this morning, “What is the thing the enemy uses to come after me the most?” Answer this question. Where in the process (flirtation, rationalization, transformation, destruction) of this thing are you? Have you confessed this to God? Who do you need to confess this to in person? Then, find a Bible verse to help you combat the enemy.