How to be Real in Temptation

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:

I- REMEMBER THAT DIFFICULTIES ARE AHEAD OF YOU (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 are certain. (James 1:12 a).

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.

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

B- Crown of life 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- REMEMBER THE REAL SOURCE OF THE TEMPTATION (James 1:13-14).

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- Not God (James 1:13)

“ 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).

2- We can’t blame Satan, either.

B- Is self (James 1:14)

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

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

(vs. 14)

(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). “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.”

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

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- Lust (desires)

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) “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.”

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.”

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.

IV- REMEMBER 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).

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

1- Remember That satan is 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!

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

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father”

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).

“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).

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

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:

What is the main difference between trials and temptations?

2. What is the source of temptation?

3. What process does temptation follow?

4. How are we to handle our desires?