The Enemy within
Romans 7:15

Americans biggest temptations
60% Procrastinating
60% Worrying
55% Eating too much
44% Too much time on media

More Serious Habits
18% Pornography
12% Lying or cheating
11% Abusing Drugs or Alcohol
9% Doing something sexually inappropriate with someone

Only 1% cited human or sinful nature as a reason for temptation

Only 1% of Americans of any age are able to articulate that giving in to temptation might be caused by sin. Most Americans think of temptation more as a steady stream of highs and lows that must be navigated. This reveals a gap in biblical thought on the subject of temptation among the nation’s population.
-Barna President David Kinnaman

Genesis 2:15-17
Matthew 15:19

“The reservoir of evil in all of us is deeper than we know, and… barriers against its eruption are shockingly fragile”
-Marguerite Shuster Theologian

What’s wrong with the world?
“Dear Sir, I am.”
Yours. G.K. Chesterton

Self-Control comes when we are self aware of our own sins and sinful nature

Romans 7:7-8

We need to put sin back in it’s place

Romans 7:19-21

“Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made” – Immanuel Kant

1 Corinthians 10:12

1 Peter 5:8-9

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus used the Word of God every time, Satan’s temptations were all shortcuts

The Devil has NOT changed strategies with us

God will provide
We are all crooked timbers in need of God

“Willpower is the emotional energy needed to withstand temptation… It’s the fuel… that enables self-control” – Drew Dyck

Matthew 26:41

Good news about Willpower
Willpower is like a muscle… it can grow!

One study showed that people who used their non-dominant hand saw increased self-control when it came to tackling other tasks as well. When exercised, willpower grows. – Drew Dyck

We can grow, conserve, replenish Willpower
Willpower wasters:
Social Media, multitasking, conflict, lack of sleep
Willpower Conserving
Good Sleep, Eating well
Willpower Growing and replenishing
Prayer, Meditation