Know the Pattern – Disarm the Power

The Temptation Triangle is a tool that helps us look at our actions and emotion. It’s broken into three main categories and driven by three root causes.

As always, no tool is perfect, but some are useful. Use it to start seeing patterns in yourselves and others so that we can bring Gospel truths to bear.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (CSB)
11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Triangle

“When we know the schemes, Satan has no advantage. “

– Robby Gallaty

Figure 1

In Figure 1 you see a triangle with an inverse triangle inside. Each corner has a category of a want or need. We see Appetite, Approval, and Ambition. Each of these has a core issue or root cause. They are Fear, Shame, and Guilt.

We will investigate Matthew 4 to bring each of these to light. Satan used each of these categories on Jesus, and he continues to use these same strategies today.

If we can identify them, we can do as Jesus did and diffuse them. Let’s go!

Appetite

Appetite – Do I Have Enough? (PROVISION)

Matthew 4:3–4 (CSB)
3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”,

  • Core Issue – Fear (never having enough)
  • Convenience decimates dependence (our need for God)
  • Reliance on self instead of God (started in Genesis 3)
  • Excessiveness VS. Abstinence OR No control VS. Strict control
    • Example of food: Gluttony VS. Anorexia
    • We should not live to eat, but eat to live.
    • We get to live for Christ by knowing Him more and sharing Him with others.
  • Solution – Trust in God
  • God is Great…so I don’t have to be in control
    • Adonai – God is the Lord over all. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, He reigns forever. Therefore, you find safety in Him and Him alone. (Genesis 15:2, Psalm 2:4, 8:1, Isaiah 1:24)
    • Elohim – God is creator, powerful and mighty. He is stronger and mightier than anyone or anything. When you face impossible circumstances or adversaries, know that your God is stronger. (Gen. 1:1, 17:7, Ps 19:1, Jer. 31:33)
    • El-Gibhor – Mighty God. The Lord is mighty to save. His arm is not too short. Whatever problem you are facing, know that your God is MIGHTY! (Isaiah 9:6)
  • God is Good…so I don’t have to look elsewhere for my satisfaction
    • Yahweh-Jireh – The Lord will provide. Jesus Christ said that Father cares for us and we never need. He is our source of life, in every way. (Genesis 22:13-14)
    • Yahweh-Rapha – The Lord our healer. Not only was God the healer in the Old Testament, but Jesus Christ revealed the healing heart of God for all of us, more than ever. Jesus Christ died to give you life. (Exodus 15:26, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 147:3, Jeremiah 17:14)
    • Yahweh-Shalom – The Lord is peace. Whenever there are storms in your life, hide in Him. He is your shelter in the storm. He gives peace beyond understanding, even when circumstances are chaotic. (Judges 6:24)

Philippians 3:4–8 (CSB)
4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Approval

Approval – Am I Enough? (PRAISE)

Matthew 4:5–7 (CSB)
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will give his angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone.”,
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”,

  • Core Issue – Shame
  • Shame is a barricade to intimacy
  • It cripples our relationship with God and others
  • Rejection VS. Affirmation
  • Differentiate Conviction and Shame
    • Conviction – I did something bad
    • Shame – I am bad
  • Identity – We must know who we are. We are God’s workmanship. We were created for good works that have been prepared from the beginning.
  • Solution – Know who you are in Christ and His purpose for your life.
  • God is Glorious…so I don’t have to fear others
    • El-Chuwl – The God who gave birth. God is our Creator and our Father. He saw us and He loved us, even before we were born. He has a plan for your life. (Psalm 139:13-18)
    • Yahweh-Maccaddeshem – The Lord your sanctifier. He forgives your sins and His Holy Spirit works in your life to conform you to be pure, loving and true. (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28)
    • El-Roi – The strong one who sees. When you feel lonely and abandoned by people, know that God is with you. He sees you and He knows you. (Genesis 16:13)

Ephesians 2:1–10 (CSB)
FROM DEATH TO LIFE
2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Case Study – Feeling Rejected or Unloved by Another Person

In this example, we will be looking at how the Gospel informs us how we get to respond. This helps us apply the Gospel in a situation before acting out or getting caught in a weird emotional loop!

  1. Who is God (and what is He like)? A pursuer; the knower and lover of our souls and true self and all our needs. A perfect and always–loving Father. He is LOVE!
  2. What has He done (that shows us this is true)?
    • In the Bible: He went looking for and pursued Adam and Eve immediately after they disobeyed God; He knew Job’s heart and pain and met him in his need and loss;. He cared for Ruth and knew the desires of her heart.
    • In your own life in the past: He was a friend and comforter to me when no one else understood what I was going through; When I was rejected by someone I loved deeply, He was the perfect and consistent lover of my soul. He sent key people into my life at important times to walk with and comfort me.
    • Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus: Jesus was/is a friend of sinners (like me); He spent his life making friends with those who were rejected and felt like outsiders (woman caught in adultery, woman at the well, Zacchaeus); He died that we might once again be brought into a close and loving relationship with our committed, sovereign Father…and part of His forever family.
  3. What is now true of us? (identity, authority, privilege) We are perfectly and fully accepted children of the King; We are adopted (forever) sons and daughters; We possess the indwelt Holy Spirit as a full-time comforter and counselor; We are now missionaries sent to also comfort the rejected and broken; Jesus will never leave or forsake us!
  4. How do we get to respond? We live in light of always having the perfect love of the One who truly matters! We turn to Jesus with our hurts and needs at any time. We pursue others who need to experience the love and acceptance that God offers everyone through Jesus.

Remember that God is the most glorious One and you already have his acceptance!

*Adapted from Everyday Disciple Incubator – Growing in Gospel Fluency

Ambition

Ambition – Am I Doing Enough? (PURPOSE)

Matthew 4:8–10 (CSB)
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”,

  • Ambition – causes us to believe that we have unlimited capacity, power.
    • Work hard and prove myself
    • If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.
    • Identity tied to what you do.
    • Self-promotion, Self-indulgence, Self-dependence
  • Strength, Power, Work VS. Weakness, Disinterest
    • Win at all costs VS. Not playing in the game
    • Workaholism is a badge of honor VS. Detach when we can’t win.
  • Satan wants you to bypass God’s process. After all, you can do this for yourself.
    • Take the shortcut, instead of doing it God’s way.
  • FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out
    • Comparison
  • Core Issue – Guilt
  • Burn out – brought about by being busy. We do a lot of good things, but are they the right things? Are we Sabbathing (resting)? Recharge and rest.
  • Solution – Rest in the finished work of Christ.
    • You can do nothing in your own power and strength for the Lord
    • Time to get off the striving treadmill
    • Stop doing ministry for Jesus AND do ministry with Jesus.
  • God is Gracious…so I don’t have to prove myself
    • Yahweh-Tsidkenu – The Lord our righteousness. When we believe in Jesus Christ, He becomes our righteousness. He forgives our sins and washes us.  (Jeremiah 23:6, Genesis 15:6, Psalm 4:1, 5:8, 24:5)
    • Yahweh-Shammah – The Lord who is present. He never leaves you, nor forsakes you. He is with your forever who never betrays you. (Genesis 28:15, Psalm 23:4, 46:1, Jeremiah 23:23-24)
    • El-Olam – The everlasting God. God is eternal, while your problems are temporary. His love will never change. His promises are true. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Galatians 6:14 (CSB)
14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.

1 Chronicles 29:12 (CSB)
12 Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all.

Solution –
Overcome lies with the truth of the Gospel.

What Is Driving What I Am Doing Or Feeling?

  • What am I afraid of?
  • What am I ashamed of?
  • What do I feel guilty about?
  • How do these line up with the Gospel?

New Triangle – GTM

References

Battle Ready Playlist – Long Hollow – Youtube
Names of God is a partial list that was adapted from http://www.godisreal.today/names-of-god/

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