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From Trials To Temptations. James 1:12-16. From Trials To Temptations. We have begun a study on the book of James Our study so far has brought us 3 lessons surrounding the trials we face in this life It’s interesting that James moves from trials to temptations. From Trials To Temptations.
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From Trials To Temptations James 1:12-16
From Trials To Temptations • We have begun a study on the book of James • Our study so far has brought us 3 lessons surrounding the trials we face in this life • It’s interesting that James moves from trials to temptations
From Trials To Temptations • The words used for trials (v. 2) and temptations (v. 12) are actually the same words • The word seems to be used in a broad sense including anything that might try or test our spirituality in this life • So we switch gears to temptations
From Trials To Temptations • Certainly temptation can be a scary word • However, the more we know about something, the better we can combat it • What does James teach us about temptation?
Temptations • 1. Possibility of endurance (v. 12) • It was comedian Flip Wilson who made the phrase “the devil made me do it” famous • Although a joke, many people have recited it in all seriousness • If it is true, then we cannot resist temptation
Temptations • 1. Possibility of endurance (v. 12) • However, James gives us a different view • It is possible for us to resist and endure temptation • Paul wrote about the same idea inI Corinthians 10:13
Temptations • 1. Possibility of endurance (v. 12) • That sameword for temptation is used in both passages • God gives us a way of escape when that temptation comes • It is up to you and I to have the integrity to look for it
Temptations • 2. Source of temptation (v. 13-14) • James also teaches us just who is the source of our temptations • Again, some believe incorrectly that God tempts us • However, James says that is not the case
Temptations • 2. Source of temptation (v. 13-14) • Why would God, who loves us and wants us to do right, tempt us to do wrong? • Not only is God incapable of being tempted, but He also is incapable of tempting anyone
Temptations • 2. Source of temptation (v. 13-14) • Instead, James teaches us that we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires • Satan is known as the tempter(Matt. 4:3; I Thess. 3:5) • We are told to resist the devil (Js. 4:7)
Temptations • 2. Source of temptation (v. 13-14) • Satan feeds off of our desires to tempt us to sin • He does his best to draw us away from God and then entice or ensnare us in some sin • Satan works with our desires to get us
Temptations • 3. Birth of sin (v. 15) • When Satan uses our desires to be lured away from God, it gives birth to sin • Sin is a word that should scare each and every one of us • It’s the reason why people are lost
Temptations • 3. Birth of sin (v. 15) • When we act upon our desires in a way that goes against the will of God, sin is then born • That sin puts a separation between ourselves and God (Is. 59:2) • There is certainly a slippery slope there
Temptations • 4. Consequence of death (v. 15-16) • Satan does his best to make sin look good • Satan is good at deception(II Cor. 11:14; Rev. 12:9) • What we need to understand is that the consequence of sin is bad
Temptations • 4. Consequence of death (v. 15-16) • James tells us that sin brings forth death • That death is not just an eventual physical death, but a spiritual death, the kind we need to worry most about • Romans 6:23
Temptations • 4. Consequence of death (v. 15-16) • Jesus said we need to be fearful of Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28) • In all this, the danger of sin is that it can cause us to be deceived, as James warns
