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When Temptation Comes — 9/30/2026 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Mr. Jeff Reep, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Cedarville University and this year's recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Reep shares his personal testimony of coming to faith in Christ. He also discusses the topic of temptation, and gives biblical guidelines for overcoming the temptations we face.
Notes
Jeff Reep, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Cedarville University and the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award, spoke about temptation.
You have several options when you yield to temptation. You might get discouraged and tell yourself to work harder. You may give up the fight and decide to keep sinning, taking advantage of the grace God gives you. A third option is to fall at God’s feet, admitting you need Him desperately and are unable to do it on your own. God invites us to come to Him when we’re struggling with sin. He wants to hear from us and help us.
The Goal
As we walk throughout life, we set our eyes on a goal: to know God, love Him, and be conformed to His image. We want to follow Him and glorify Him by the Holy Spirit’s power. However, so many temptations get in the way.
The Temptation
Temptations only come when you have a desire for something. If you don’t want it, you won’t decide to do it.
It’s also important to remember that temptation and sin are not the same thing. Imagine a fish in the water. Temptations are the distracting hooks cast into the water around us, but sin doesn’t come until we choose to bite the hook.
Freedom From Bondage
God provides a way of escape from temptation. If you are His child, His Gospel truth has set you free! Don’t succumb to legalism or simply try harder. Focus on the fact that you have been transformed. Christ has made you new and given you a changed heart. You are not free to sin; you are free not to sin.
Make No Provisions
Each of us has weak links where we will be most likely to sin. If we think about certain things or look at certain things, giving in to temptation will be easy. Paul says in Romans 13:14 that we shouldn’t put ourselves in tempting situations.
Christ’s Prayer
In John 17, Jesus prays and asks His Father to keep us from the evil one. Realize that Jesus is praying for you here! What an encouraging truth this is!
He does not only go to God on our behalf, but He also empowers us to choose what’s right. He understands you because He has been tempted in a far greater way compared to you, and yet He never gave in.
Ultimately, we have redemption through Christ’s blood. When His children sin and cry out for forgiveness, He freely gives it. However, there are consequences for that sin. We will be scarred by choosing our own way.
We give in to sin when our eyes are not on the Lord and when our hearts do not want Him. Desiring Christ is key to victory in sin. As you fight temptation, focus on Him. Ask Him to help you know Him better and to change your desires. As a believer, you are dead to sin. Victory is possible because of Christ!