Conquering Temptation
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
James began his letter by helping people understand why we endure all kinds of trials. If you were with us last week, we talked looked at what James had to say about the trials we endure, and you may remember that he said the trials produced perseverance, and perseverance produces maturity and completeness in our lives.
In our passage today, James turns to the next issue with which Christians often struggle: temptations!
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to James chapter 1, and we’ll begin reading with verse 9
Enduring Circumstances
Enduring Circumstances
For the early church, social standing created a number of issues. Generally, there were two categories: the haves and the have-nots.
James continues by addressing both the have-nots and then the haves.
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
The believer of humble circumstances (Gk: low position, poor, downcast, downhearted, common position, oppressed) ought to take pride (Gk: literally “let him boast”) in their high position (Gk: exalted position, high rank, prominence) (v. 9). Our relationship with Jesus turns things upside down.
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
But the rich person is to glory in his humiliation (v. 10a).
The idea of glory in is provided by context. The pride of the poor is his humble circumstance. The pride of the rich should be in the fact that his wealth cannot save him.
The rich man’s riches are like a wildflower that is here for a moment and then passes away (v. 10b).
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
The sun comes up, and gives off its scorching heat that withers the plan! (v. 11a).
When the plant withers the beauty of the flower is destroyed (v. 11b).
In the same way, James says the rich person will fade away--even as they go about their business (v. 11c).
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Perseverance
Perseverance
When we come to verse 12, James concludes his discussion of gaining perseverance by telling us what happens to those who perseveres will receive.
James says that those who persevere (Gk: endure, remain, remain alive, survive, have fortitude) their trials will blessed (Gk: happy, fortunate).
Because after he has stood the test (Gk: proven to be genuine specifically, genuine love for God) he will receive the crown of life.
This crown is not a crown of salvation. It is the victor’s crown that is mentioned in Revelation 2:10.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
The crown of life has been promised to us by Jesus, Himself. And it was promised to those who love Him.
It is generally believed that every Christian loves Jesus, but that is simply NOT true. We know this because Jesus, on the night He was betrayed and heading to the cross, told His disciples that to love Him is to obey Him. You can check this out in John 14:21-24. Obedience leads to trials, enduring trials leads to the blessing of the victor’s crown.
This naturally leads to a discussion about temptation. So look at verse 13.
Origin of Temptation
Origin of Temptation
After looking at the “Crown of Life” promised by the Lord for those who love Him, James moves to the second problem faced by mankind—TEMPTATION.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
When we are tempted we can’t blame God for two reasons:
God cannot be tempted by evil (v. 13a).
God doesn’t tempt anyone (v. 13b).
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Temptation begins with our own evil desires (v. 14a).
Our evil desires entice us (v. 14b).
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
When the desires take root they give birth to sin (action) (v. 15a).
Sin when it is full-grown gives birth to death (Gk: deadly blow, leading to death, threat of death, mortality) (v. 15b).
Now the NIV puts verse 15 in the next paragraph. But to me, it is the conclusion—a warning—to what James just taught us.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
Don’t be deceived (Gk. led astray, to wander about, to be misled or caused to be misled, to roam) (v. 16).
James just told us that giving into sin leads to death. Now he tells us not to be lead astray so that you fall prey to death—both spiritual and physical death.
Good Gifts!
Good Gifts!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
God truly wants what is best for His children! So after talking about temptations, James turns his attention to the goodness of God!
Every act of giving (Gk: dosis) and perfect gift (dorema) comes from God (above, the Father of heavenly lights)--God is the source of the perfect gifts and of the very act of giving (v. 17a).
God is called the Father of heavenly lights (v. 17b) but this light does not change. As humans we are used to the sun and moon that are often obscured by the clouds. These clouds either block out the sun or moon, or change the intensity of the shine that we see--but God’s intensity NEVER changes. His light can never be blocked out!
Our True Birth
Our True Birth
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Unlike the birth of sin and the birth of death that comes to destroy, the birth that God gives us is life and comes through His word of truth!
This life allows us to become a kind of firstfruits (Gk. choice offerings, first-portions) (v. 18).
So What?
So What?
God doesn’t see rich or poor. God sees people! And people—not positions—are important to God!
God promises to reward us for our perseverance. But receiving the “crown of life” only comes to those who love God.
KEY—Loving God means we will obey Him! In other words, when we obey God we are demonstrating—or proving—our love for Him.
Temptation comes from inside of us! James reminds us that we are dragged away by our own evil desires!
We need to guard our hearts and not be led astray—by our evil desires!
Finally, we need to remember that God wants us to be a firstfruits offering to Him.
