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The Marshmallow Test
Mark 1:12-13; Hebrews 4:15
Introduction
1. A researcher gives a 4 yr. old a choice – You can have this one marshmallow now, OR wait until I return and you can have 3 marshmallows.
2. 12 years later – all were examined.
a. Those who grabbed the 1 marshmallow – troubled adolescents
b. Those who waited – scored 210 points higher on SAT test
3. God expects – Self-Control – Temperance
4. Today – We want INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
5. Our texts are important.
I. The difference between Trials and Temptations – James 1:1-13
a. V. 2-3
b. V. 12
c. Trial = a difficulty which tests our faith
d. Temptation = an invitation to do wrong
e. James 5:10-11
II. The Source of Temptation – v. 13-14
a. It is NOT from God
b. Adam tried to blame God – That woman you gave me
c. Don’t blame God
d. We don’t all have the same weakness, but we all have a weakness.
III. What happens when we give in? – v. 15
a. Desire > Sin > Death
b. Romans 6:23
IV. What can we do about temptation?
a. Recognize it.
b. Resist it. “self-control”, Ps. 119:9, 11; Eph. 6:11-12
c. Run from it. 1 Thess. 5:22; Gen. 39:10-12
d. Replace it. Rom. 6:12-13; Heb. 11:24-26
From outline by Dan Williams
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