Temptation From Within
Notes
Transcript
Last week, we looked at verses 1-11 and identified two reasons for trials in our lives.
Trials build endurance.
Trials bring wisdom if we ask for it.
Trials, when we endure (stay under the umbrella) and seek wisdom, can cause us to become more dependent on Christ, and in the process, they begin to make us more like Him.
In his Turning Point daily devotional, David Jeremiah writes: “Millions around the world have benefited from Kay Arthur's teaching ministry; but her work wouldn’t have happened without the bitter disappointment she faced early in her ministry. While serving as a missionary in Mexico, she contracted a heart infection that forced her to return home.
“‘I felt like a failure,'” she recalls. ‘Depression set in until I cried, “Father, whatever You want.”‘ Back in Chattanooga, she began teaching the Bible to teenagers in her home, and from those experiences came her life’s work. ‘It would be several years before I’d see how He’d use those formative years of study in Mexico to prepare me to write inductive Bible studies that would eventually reach 52 countries,’ she wrote.
“We seldom understand our trials at the time. We may feel like failures and wonder why God allows suffering, but as time passes, we learn to look back and see how He worked things for good and how every trial drove us closer to Him. With each test, our relationship with God grows more intimate and our perseverance more sturdy.”
This brings us to James 1:12.
James 1:12 concludes the previous thought and transitions us into the next section of verses about trials and temptations.
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.
There are several key words in this verse that we need to explore if we want to grasp its full meaning.
Blessed – this is the same word used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.
Matthew 5:3–5 “3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” (etc… here we get a similar “blessed,” but this time it is a blessing received through perseverance)
Perseveres – this refers to the endurance we develop through trials.
Approved – the Greek word for approved is “dokimos.”
Archaeologists found this word on the bottom of pottery in the Middle East. It was placed on pottery that survived the furnace intact. If the pottery did not pass through the furnace intact and came out with a crack, it would be stamped with “adokimos,” meaning disapproved.
The idea is that when we endure the furnace of a trial, we are stamped with approved, enabling us to receive a crown.
Crown of Life – the crown of life shown here is a victor's crown. These were awarded to those who triumphed in games or even a conquering general in battle.
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Those who love Him - How do we show God that we love Him?
We can understand what God is talking about if we look back to Deuteronomy.
“You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
God tested the Israelites. They faced many trials, and the first generation failed the test. They all died in the wilderness because of their disobedience.
When we face a trial given by God, it serves two purposes.
First, to test our faith. (James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”)
Second, to reveal who we truly love. (A deep love for God will carry us through the darkest moments, especially when our faith feels weak.)
Like Kay Author, who was willing to submit to God during her illness, God is asking us, do you love me enough to trust me through this trial?
By the way, when you persevere and show me how much you love me, I will give you a crown of life.
Not only in the future but also right now! I believe this crown is realized happiness in knowing we are following Jesus.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
This abundant life is available now! We can experience it as we love and obey our Lord and Savior.
Let’s shift our focus to the next set of verses: James 1:13-15.
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.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Beginning with verse 13, it is important to understand what James is emphasizing here. For example:
If you are reading from a KJV, it uses the words Tempted or Temptation throughout the chapter.
What we need to realize in these verses is that the Greek words for Tempted and Trial are the same. However, they are like a coin with two sides. So, understanding the difference depends on the context.
We see this in several passages in the Bible.
This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
Jesus was testing Philip's faith during the feeding of the 5000.
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
The same Greek word is used here, but it clearly refers to being enticed to do something evil.
One way to think about it is that “Trials are outside of our control,” while “Temptations are within our control.”
I might unfairly lose my job, and that could be a trial. God may want me to endure it. But if I am tempted to steal after losing my job, that is a temptation and not something God causes.
Many of us want to play the blame game with God.
Adam and Eve—Genesis 3:12—when Adam sinned, blamed God indirectly for the woman He gave him.
If we don’t blame God, we often blame the Devil. “The Devil made me do it!”
The Devil and his demons can certainly influence us.
The world and its desires can influence us too.
James clearly states that God will never tempt you with evil.
In fact, if you are tempted with evil, it’s most likely your own doing!
Verse 14:
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Here we see the word “enticed” - it depicts an attractive bait or lure, similar to fishing.
Fish have their natural food that sustains them as they grow.
But as fishermen, we cast a shiny lure into the water.
It wiggles, jerks, flashes, and the fish, so “enticed” by the lure, doesn’t see the hook attached.
That’s exactly how you and I are. When we’re tempted, it’s often because of our own lust for things that aren’t ours to have.
We get a clear word picture of this in Proverbs 5.
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;
But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.
I am convinced that we do not treat sin with the seriousness it deserves.
Too often, even in how we talk about sin, we not only blame others and circumstances, but also use phrases like “falling” into sin as if it’s the same as tripping on the stairs.
No! James says that sin is a process. He illustrates this with the image of childbirth.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
It starts in our minds.
When we keep entertaining sinful thoughts, they give birth to a bouncing baby sin.
But there's a catch!
Sin always results in death! Even the sins we believe no one notices bring about death.
For the wages of sin is death
Sin brings death to our relationship with God.
It brings death to our relationship with others.
Ultimately, sin can even lead to physical death.
Sin will always demand a price, and that price is death!
But the key is, if we can recognize the process, we can understand when and how to escape and live victorious lives.
How do we stop our minds from having lustful and sinful thoughts?
We fill them with truth!
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
In the 80s, there was a Christian rock band called Petra.
They had a song called “computer brains.”
The premise of the song was that what we put into our minds is what we will get out.
If we put garbage in, we will get garbage out.
If we put good things in, we will get good things out, just like a computer.
So when a Christian seems to “fall” into sin, they didn’t really fall; they had been inputting sinful data into their minds, and by enticing their lusts, they gave birth to a sinful act!
James concludes this section on trials and temptations in verses 16-18.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
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.
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.
James revisits what he started in verse 13, emphasizing that God doesn’t tempt us with sin.
In fact, He does the exact opposite!
Every good thing, no matter how small or great, is a gift from God!
It is perfect and complete!
Unlike our gift-giving, which can sometimes be underwhelming, God’s gifts are always perfect and tailored specifically for each of us.
The trials we face are not meant to trip us up but are gifts to help us grow.
Notice the phrase “coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
James uses an astronomical metaphor here, comparing God to the sun, moon, and stars.
God clearly guides our path for success.
There is no variation or shadow, similar to the use of a candle in the dark.
A path can seem uncertain or even frightening, but when fully illuminated by the sun, it becomes easy to see and navigate.
If you are sensing shadows on your path of trials, it isn’t caused by God; it’s because we have ceased relying on Him in full dependence.
What does all this mean?
How does this apply to you and me today?
I think sometimes we get this idea that God is a bully putting tests in our path, and when we fail, He is ready to zap us!
But this is not the case at all!
“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
“Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
The only thing coming from God's hand is good and perfect. He gives trials, yes, but temptations, no.
If you're facing a trial today, it's because God wants to give you something you need, and it will be perfect because He is perfect.
Will you trust Him today?
