In life we encounter temptation and we struggle with sin. It’s because we have a sinful nature. We inherited it from Adam and Eve. There will always be a battle with those things. Today I want to post a message on temptation and sin.
Acts 28:1-6 (NKJV)
28:1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
28:1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
There are Snakes Lying in Wait
This takes place when Paul was being taken to Rome. The ship was a cargo ship and it had to stop in Crete to do business. The weather had become difficult but the captain decided to go anyway and a storm came up.
This is in Chapter 27. It was a two-week trial that ended with the ship breaking apart off the island of Malta. In great danger and struggle, they made it safely to the island, but they were shipwrecked there.
The real cause of the shipwreck was a lapse in discernment. The reason that it happened was that the captain failed to discern the weather. He didn’t take into account the consequences of that decision to go even though it was late in the season.
This is often a problem for us. We have other priorities. We make decisions without considering their effect on us. It may make sense from a business standpoint. It may seem like a good decision, but we really need to examine the consequences. It may have a chilling effect on the Holy Spirit, it may short-circuit something that God is doing, or it may result in the temptation of sin. That’s the real point of this blog post. I want to look at this event in Paul’s life in a more symbolic way.
Events and circumstances in one part of our lives may affect other aspects of our lives. They may cause us to think in a different way. They may cause us to view things differently. They may even open a door that the devil can exploit, as an entryway into our lives. Sometimes those circumstances are a setup for a future assault. We need to be able to attempt to understand potential consequences to our decisions, “If I do this, what are the possible outcomes?” This captain didn’t do that and they found themselves shipwrecked on the island of Malta for the winter.
Our text takes place on the island of Malta. Paul is collecting firewood, in the rain and cold, in the aftermath of the shipwreck. This is the consequence of the captain’s decision. This is the open door that the devil can exploit. As he throws the wood onto the fire a poisonous snake attaches itself to Paul’s hand.
In the bible a snake represents temptation. The first time we see a serpent in the Bible, he’s tempting Eve.
It’s our decisions that open us up to temptation. Paul never should have been on that island, but because of a decision that was made Paul ended up in a place where the devil could lay a temptation on him.
This is why we have standards in our church. This is why we don’t like the young men to be alone with a young woman after 10:30 pm. Being in the wrong place opens you up to temptation. If the captain hadn’t tried to sail when it was too late in the year they wouldn’t have wrecked the ship. Paul would never have been on the island. The snake would never have attached itself to him.
This is just a picture for us, though. We are the captains of our own lives. We make our decisions. We have to have the discernment to see what potential consequences that decision may hold.
If movies have worldly themes, should I go see them? There may be a snake in there!
If people are drinking at parties, should I attend? There may be a snake in there!
Should I be hugging, kissing and cuddling with my girlfriend? There may be a snake in there – and that snake is waiting for the right moment to attach itself to you.
Most of us think, “I can handle this stuff – I won’t be tempted, I haven’t wanted to drink in a long time!”
“I don’t need to look at porn anymore!”
“We’re just friends – it’s just harmless flirting, we’re not doing anything.” It’s a snake and it’s trying to attach itself to you!
On Malta the snakes were vipers. They were poisonous. The people here watched to see if Paul was going to die. The temptation is a poisonous snake; it can kill you!
Finally, that snake attached itself to Paul. It didn’t just give him a bite. It attached itself; it held on. Temptation isn’t always easy to get away from. Do you know Christians who struggle with the same things year after year? I know a man who has allowed himself to sin with pornography three times now. Each time he thought he was over it. Each time he thought it was gone, but it was attached. You have to make an effort to throw it off. It best, just to not put yourself in that place where temptation lives. Make the right decisions.
The People Were Watching
The second thing I want to examine is the reaction of the people. The native people were watching to see what would happen to Paul.
Acts 28:4-6 (NKJV)
28:4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
28:4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Do you realize that because you’re saved people are curious? People are watching you to see if you’re different from them. They want to see if there’s a difference between serving God and what they’re doing. If you’re looking for something to revolutionize your life then you want to know of change is possible.
People often think that they’re stuck in their lifestyle. I thought, “I’ll always be a drunk.” This is a common thing. Have you ever heard this? “I’ve always been like that! It’s just how I am.” There’s no hope of change in those statements. They’re saying, “My experience is that I haven’t ever been able to change.” Then you come along and say, “God changed me!” They want to see if it’s true because that’s what they want. They want to change, too!
So, when the snake of temptation attaches itself to you, they want to see how you handle it! The chances are they have seen those temptations before. In our text, the native people knew the snakes were deadly. They’d experienced the bite of those snakes before. They thought Paul saws a dead man; “No one could overcome the poison of the snakes.”
Sinners understand temptation. They’ve been tempted before. Usually, if there’s no overarching desire to do the right thing; if you don’t see it as something that will ruin your life or destroy your ability to make heaven your home, you’ll just let it happen. Sinners gonna sin, right?
As Christians, we understand the danger of sin. We know what the wages of sin is. We know that sin is the poison that brings death. We can’t allow the snakes to put poison into our systems. We have to be able to deal with temptation.
The people were watching Paul. They saw the bite. They made a judgment that he wouldn’t survive it. They expected him to die, but Paul just shook off the snake. He shook it off and went on – he survived with no ill effects.
Can you shake off temptation? Can you overcome the poison of sin? Paul just shook it off and they thought he was a god. They looked at Paul’s overcoming of the snake and saw him as a god. People are watching you, they see the temptation and they think, “He’s not going to be able to escape. It’s just a matter of time before he swells up and dies.” If you just shake it off, put it away; destroy it with Holy Ghost fire, then the people see the power of God. That’s really what they saw on Malta, they just thought that the power came from Paul. They thought Paul was a god, but the power came from God! people will know that God has power when you are able to shake off the temptation that’s trying to attach itself to you.
Your Testimony Can Win People!
In the Book of Exodus, Moses s called to meet with God. God calls him to the burning bush and commands him.
Exodus 4:2-4 (NKJV)
4:2 So the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),
4:2 So the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),
Moses sees the snake and turns to flee, but God tells him to pick it up. When he does it becomes the Rod of God in Moses’ hand. Moses saw the snake, it was the face of temptation and Moses’ first thought was to flee from it. When you’re tempted, what do you do? Do you say, “I can handle it – I won’t sin!”? Are you like Moses and say, “It’s temptation – I have to go!”?
In the Book of Genesis, Joseph is in the home of Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife says, “Hi handsome! Hubba, Hubba!” Look at what happens:
Genesis 39:11-12 (NKJV)
39:11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
39:11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
He ran right out of his coat to get away – From that snake! He fled the temptation. That should be our reaction as well.
First – We need to make decisions that will help us avoid temptation!
Second – We need to shake off the temptation and not let it attach itself to us.
Third – We need to flee temptation whenever possible or let God help us do the right thing.
People will see that and be moved. Everyone has aspects of their lives and personalities that they know need to change, but that they feel powerless to change. When they see God move in our lives over the long term; when they can see that the change is real – they will want what you have! Your testimony can reach people.
