No More Excuses James 1:12-15

Genesis 3:12-13 The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the L ORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” No More Excuses

You will never overcome your sin until you own up to your sin No More Excuses

Don’t Blame God 1:13

① God is untemptable Don’t Blame God Isaiah 6:3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the L ORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”

① God is untemptable Don’t Blame God 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

① God is untemptable ② God does not tempt test: a challenge designed to grow us and bring us honor temptation: an enticement designed to ensnare us in sin Don’t Blame God

Genesis 22:1-2...God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

Don’t Blame God Genesis 22: “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens...”

① God is untemptable ② God does not tempt test: a challenge designed to grow us and bring us honor temptation: an enticement designed to ensnare us in sin Don’t Blame God

① God is untemptable ② God does not tempt Don’t Blame God Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.

① God is untemptable ② God does not tempt ③ Temptation comes from... Satan The world Us Don’t Blame God

Accept Responsibility 1:14-15

① We are tempted by lust any desire for what God has prohibited “by his own lust” - comes from within us! Accept Responsibility

Romans 7:21-23 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Accept Responsibility

① We are tempted by lust ② We give in and sin is born ③ Sin grows up and death is born Accept Responsibility

Ezekiel 18:26-27 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. Accept Responsibility

Consequences of sin for a believer: can lead to death (1:15) brings shame at judgment seat (2:12-13) makes our lives worthless (2:14-26) creates conflict with others (3:13-4:3) brings God’s discipline (4:4) can lead to illness (5:15) Accept Responsibility

Application How do we avoid sin and death?

① Don’t take the bait! Read Proverbs 7 Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 Application

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

① Don’t take the bait! Read Proverbs 7 Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 Limit access to tempting circumstances times, places, people, media, technology Do things that help you escape Word, prayer, sleep, exercise, balance Application

① Don’t take the bait! ② Get off the hook through confession Application 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

No More Excuses James 1:12-15