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 in I Corinthians 10:13

Temptations 1. Possibility of endurance (v. 12) ▫That same word 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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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 ) ▫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