Trials & Temptations James 1:12-18 © John Stevenson, 2009

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12).

Harold Kushner God is good but not able to prevent bad things from happening God is able to prevent bad things, but he is not good. Suggests one of two possible conclusions:

1:1-4 We are to consider our trials to have an end result of joy because endurance is being produced in our lives. 1:5 We are to ask God for wisdom so we can see and understand the benefits of those trials. 1:6-8 There is a condition to the reception of God’s wisdom. It is that we be single- minded in our desire to know God. 1:9-11 We are given a practical application in dealing with those trials. It is in the area of our finances.

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Reward Trials

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. stefanoj  Victor’s wreath

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. If God cannot be tempted, then how was Jesus tempted in the wilderness?

Trials Comes from the outside and moves into your life. Temptations Comes from the inside out. Brings life.Brings death. Leads to maturity.Leads to a maturing of sin. God brings the outward trials into your life. He does not bring the inner temptations; those come from within you.

Death James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Sin Lust

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. How was this process seen in the Garden of Eden temptation?

Death Life Outward act of sin Faith & trust in God Desire in the heart Process begins with a need (either real or perceived)

James 1:16-17 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Present tense “Stop being deceived”

James 1:16-17 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Our Will We exercise our own will independently of God when we sin. God’s Will God exercised His own will in order to save us. Exercising our own will brings forth death. Exercising His will led to bringing us forth by the word of truth Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust (1:14). In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth (1:18).

James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.