Life or Death

Do you love God?

James 1:12-15

James 1:12–15 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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Verse 12

Remain: stay, bear, have fortitude, persevere, abide, endure, patient, suffer

Steadfast: firmly fixed in place

Where are you fixed in place?

Trial: Under trial, putting to proof by experiment, action or process of trying or proving

Proves the statement “You love God” it puts it to the test

Test: vessel in which metals were assayed, an analysis of what it is made of

The Message (MSG)

12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

“So God tempts us to test us?” No.

VS 13

We are tempted because Verse 14-15

James 1:13–15 ESV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Verse 14

Lured: drawn away, something catches your attention

Enticed: Taken with bait, like a fish. A juicy worm

What is your worm?

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What is your worm? what do you try and find satisfaction in? what often occupys your thoughts/at night? when you wake?

Girls, guys, relationships, visual pornography, emotional pornography

Is it praise, people liking you, popularity, likes on social media

is it the power of your words? the way you speak, disrespect people/ teachers parents

does it satisfy you to fight? to be angry when wronged and take it out on someone?

or harming yourself? or alcohol/drugs/sex to comfort/sooth/satisfy yourself

Verse 15

It is temptation when you see it or think it, but it is sin when you act on it mentally or physically

Example: looking is not a sin but looking with lustful intent

That desire comes from you, not God. You are tested because of yourself, your flesh.

Conceived: clasp, catch, capture, literally like a sperm attaching to an egg.

Sin: gives birth to an offense of God

Grown: Mature, full grown man, bearded and hairy

Death: Separation from God, destined for Hell and judgment.

Death: The wrath of God will crush you for all eternity with the same ferocity that Jesus experience on the cross.

How do we remain steadfast through trials and temptations?

Repent and Trust in Jesus

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. Confess

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. Love Jesus more than your worm

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Matthew 22:37 ESV

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.