Dealing With Our Desires

James 1:12-18

James 1:12–18 (NLT)

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

INTRODUCTION:

The Sources of our Trials:

FROM THE ADVERSARY BY THE ALLOWANCE OF GOD

FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW OUR LORD

FROM DESIRES WITHIN US

FROM FEAR THAT PARALYZES US

Last week, we looked at the fears that can cause our trials and how we are to respond to them. Today we want to look at another source of our trials: the desires within us.

James has a lot to say about the issue of temptation and its origin.

I- TEMPTATION AND TRIALS ARE CERTAIN (James 1:12).

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

A- Trials and temptations will come your way. (James 1:12 a).

James 1:12a (NLT)

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1- What is the difference between trials and temptations?

a- “Trials, tests” - “πειρασμοῖς”= to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing.

1) Used of Jesus being tested:

(Matthew 16:1)

Matthew 16:1 (NLT)

1 One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

(Luke 10:25)

Luke 10:25 (NLT)

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

2) These tests may be severe in nature.

(1 Peter 4:12)

1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

3) The purpose of trials is to test our faith. (James 1:2–3)

James 1:2–3 (NLT)

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

(a) The goal of trials is spiritual growth.

b- “Temptation” = πειράζω = to seek to entice to do evil or to rebel against God.

1) Notice James’s remark in verse 14.

a- His remark that “God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else” Clearly identifies this as a matter of tempting someone to do evil.

2) The purpose of temptation is to cause an individual to stumble or fall – leading to the destruction of that person’s reputation or testimony.

a- This is the sense used in Matthew 4:1, when Jesus was tempted by Satan.

Matthew 4:1 (NLT)

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

b- The apostle Paul uses temptation in this sense in 1 Cor. 7:5 and 1 Thess. 3:5.

1 Corinthians 7:5 (NLT)

5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)

5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

B- Facing temptations and trials faithfully will be rewarded.

1- God promises to bless believers who faithfully endure the tests and temptations of life.

2- “τὸν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς” = the Crown of Life

a- The victor’s crown promised (Revelation 2:10).

Revelation 2:10 (NLT)

10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

II- THE REAL SOURCE OF THE TEMPTATION (James 1:13-14).

James 1:13–14 (NLT)

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted (ἀπείραστός) to do wrong,* and he never tempts anyone else (πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα). 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

A- The source of temptation is not God.

“ Μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι ἀπὸ θεοῦ πειράζομαι.”= “Do not ever say that God is tempting me...” God is never tempted to do wrong,* and he never tempts anyone else.”

1- God never tempts us to do evil.

a- God is never tempted (ἀπείραστός) to do wrong,* and he never tempts anyone else (πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα).

God is holy. (Psalm 99:9)

Psalm 99:9 (NLT)

9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy!

2- We can’t blame Satan, either.

Flip Wilson quote, “The devil made me do it.”

Example of the fall of humankind. Satan arroused their desires for the fruit and attempted to deceive the humans, but they made the choice to sin. (Genesis 3:1-6)

Genesis 3:1–6 (NLT)

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.

3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

B- The source of temptation is self.

1- The real source of temptation is our own desires.

(James 1: 14)

James 1:14 (NLT)

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

(1 John 2:15-17)

“ 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

a- The root of the problem is what we have our hearts fixed upon.

Jesus warns us about having our hearts focused upon this world. (Luke 12:22- 34) Note Luke 12:34).

Luke 12:34 (NLT)

34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

b- The focus of our heart will inflame us and create temptations at the deepest levels of our being.

(1 John 2:16) “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

The Three Points of Desire that tempt us: 1) Desire for Physical Pleasure

2) Desire for things we see

3) Desire for stroking our pride

III- THE PROCESS TEMPTATION FOLLOWS (James 1:14-15).

James 1:14–15 (NLT)

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

A- Desire

1- ἐπιθυμίας= to greatly desire to do or have something—‘to long for, to desire very much.’

2- These desires (if allowed to take control) can choke out the desire to follow Jesus.

(Mark 4:19)

Mark 4:19 (NLT)

19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

3- These desires entrap us and drag us down.

a- δελεάζω: to lure or entice someone to sin; originally meant “to catch by a bait.”

Question to consider: “Will this desire lead me to follow Jesus more closely of will it lead me away from Him?

B- Sin

1- It is out of these desires that sin is conceived and birthed (ἡ ἐπιθυμία συλλαβοῦσα τίκτει ἁμαρτίαν).

2- ἁμαρτίαν= “to act contrary to the will and law of God—‘to sin, to engage in wrongdoing, sin.”

Sin is the breaking of God’s law. (1 John 3:4)

1 John 3:4 (NLT)

4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.

C- Death

1- When sin is carried out and allowed to have its finished work, the result is death. (ἡ δὲ ἁμαρτία ἀποτελεσθεῖσα ἀποκύει θάνατον.)

2- θάνατον= death, in both the temporal and ultimate senses. Separation of the body and soul, as well as separation from God.

(Romans 5:12)

Romans 5:12 (NLT)

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

(Romans 6:23)

Romans 6:23 (NLT)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

3- Sin destroys and kills.

a. reputation

b. testimony

c. relationships

IV- THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE SAVIOR (James 1:16-18).

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.* He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.* 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.*

A- Do not allow Satan to deceive you. (James 1:16).

James 1:16 (NLT)

16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

(μὴ πλανᾶσθε, ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί.)

πλανᾶσθε = to be misled through deception.

1- Remember That satan is the father of lies.

(John 8:44)

John 8:44 (NLT)

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2- His desire is to deceive you about the nature of sin.

3- His goal is to steal, kill and destroy!

(John 10:10)

John 10:10 (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

B- Acknowledge all good gifts come from God. (James 1:17a).

James 1:17a (NLT)

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

1- God is the provider of life.

2- God is the redeemer of life.

3- God is the source of strength and spiritual power.

C- Hold on to His unchanging Nature. (James 1:17b).

James 1:17b (NLT)

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

1- God does not change…you can trust him.

2- God’s promises do not change… he will do as he has promised!

D- Reflect on the blessing of salvation. (James 1:18).

James 1:18 (NLT)

18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

(βουληθεὶς ἀπεκύησεν ἡμᾶς λόγῳ ἀληθείας, εἰς τὸ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἀπαρχήν τινα τῶν αὐτοῦ κτισμάτων.)

1- It was God who provided salvation. (John 1:13).

John 1:13 (NLT)

13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

2- It is God who has provided security. (Ephesians 1:13).

Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)

13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

CONCLUSION: