Please Help Me, I’m Falling!

Please Help Me, I’m Falling!
“Don’t fall — resist temptation through God’s power.”
Matthew 5:27-32
James 4:7 —
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
I.— The Danger of Falling
Song: Please Help me I’m falling
• The title comes from the old country song “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.”
• The song describes a man:
◦ struggling with temptation,
◦ losing his will to resist,
◦ asking the wrong person for help.
Temptation becomes dangerous when:
1. We stay near it.
2. We rely on our own strength.
3. We seek help from the wrong source.
• Why do people often stay close to temptation instead of fleeing from it?
II. Temptation Can Happen to Anyone
A. No One Is Above Temptation
• Galatians 6:1
“consider thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:12
“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
• Spiritual pride is dangerous.
• Christians are not immune from temptation.
• Thought life matters.
• Matthew 5:28
Jesus taught that lust in the heart is already sin.
•
• Why is inward temptation often ignored until it becomes outward sin?
III. Sin Begins by Giving Place to the Devil
A. Small Compromises Become Big Falls
• Ephesians 4:27
“Neither give place to the devil.”
• Sin rarely starts big.
• It begins with:
◦ small compromises,
◦ repeated exposure,
◦ entertaining temptation.
•
Examples
• One cigarette → addiction
• One drink → alcoholism
• One immoral image → bondage
• One flirtation → adultery
Principle – Temptation grows when it is fed.
B. Wrong Environments Create Opportunity
Examples
• Bars
• Workplace relationships
• Emotional vulnerability
• Private conversations
• Neglect in marriage
• Movies …Hollywood dreams
Key Lesson
People often “fall” long before the physical act occurs.
• These are modern ways Christians “give place” to the devil?
IV. Christian Liberty Is Not Permission to Sin
A. Grace Should Not Become a Cloak for Sin
• 1 Peter 2:16
“not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness”
• Romans 14:20-23
• 1 Corinthians 6:12
• 1 Corinthians 10:23
•
•
• Not everything lawful is beneficial.
• Wisdom keeps distance from temptation.
• Spiritual maturity avoids dangerous situations.
Quote:
“It is easier to avoid temptation than escape it.”
V. The Throne Room: Where Real Help Is Found
A. Jesus Understands Our Struggle
Scripture
• Hebrews 4:15-16
Main Truths
Jesus:
• was tempted,
• understands weakness,
• remained without sin,
• gives mercy and grace.
B. We Must Run to God, Not Toward Temptation
Contrast
The man in the song:
• asked the tempted woman for help.
The Christian should:
• run to God for strength.
Prayer is:
• access to God’s throne,
• power for resistance,
• help in time of need.
•
• Why do people often seek comfort from the very thing tempting them?
VI. How to Win the Battle Against Temptation
A. Submit to God
Scripture
• James 4:7
• “Submit” is a military term.
• God is our Commander.
• Victory comes through obedience.
•
We cannot defeat temptation in fleshly strength.
B. Resist the Devil
• Resistance requires:
◦ God’s Word,
◦ God’s power,
◦ dependence on Christ.
◦
Trying to fight temptation alone is spiritual suicide.
The battle belongs to the Lord.
C. The Devil Will Flee
Promise!
When believers:
1. submit to God,
2. resist through His power, the devil flees.
Encouragement
God does not merely help us survive temptation —
He gives victory over it.
VII. — Don’t Fall!
When temptation comes:
• Don’t give place to the devil.
• Don’t linger near the edge.
• Don’t trust your flesh.
• Run to the throne of grace.
• Jude 1:24
“unto Him that is able to keep you from falling…”
Ask yourself:
• Where am I vulnerable?
• What opportunities for temptation need to be removed?
• Am I resisting in my own strength or God’s?