James 1:12-18

Let’s read

(NKJV)

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Illustration- Muhammad Ali was on an airplane ready for take off and the flight attendant asked him to put his seat belt on. He replied… Superman don’t need a seat belt. She moved on thinking that he would get it strapped in a moment. She returned and asked him again to fasten his seatbelt and again he replied… superman don’t need no seatbelt. Out of frustration, she answers back briskly…Superman don’t need an airplane. Get the seatbelt on or leave the plane.

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

We think we are special. We think that we are invincible.We think we have all the answers.We think that we know best.

Have you ever done anything dumb or stupid? Of course, we all have. God is asking us if we lack wisdom, we should ask of him when we face trials.

Today we will learn some wisdom about what to do in temptations. As we continue on in our study of the book of James, we move from tackling the issue of trial which are meant to mature our walk with the lord to temptations, which take us in the opposite direction we should be going as a follower of Christ.

James starts out by saying Let no one say “I am tempted by God”. Why is this important? I think about Adam and Eve and their temptation. The serpent said “surely you will not die”. One of the chief aims of Satan is to get us to doubts God’s goodness and His character. A lot of times sin can taste good, it can smell good, and it can look good. But, the long term effects of it damage our relationship with God and others.

Now we can’t say God is tempting us because every good and perfect gift is from above and sin is bad. God is light and there is no darkness in him at all! Don’t let satan deceive you!

Life Application Bible Commentary, James Enduring Trials and Temptations / 1:2–18

GOD’S WAY OUT OF TEMPTATION

God gives us these resources during temptation:

• His presence. “He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV see also Hebrews 13:5).

• His model—Jesus. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17–18 NIV).

• His guidance. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NRSV).

• His mission for our life that keeps us directed. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV).

• His other people with whom we share encouragement. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV).

• His forgiveness when we fall and fail. “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NRSV).

GOD’S WAY OUT OF TEMPTATION

God gives us these resources during temptation:

• His presence. “He will not leave you nor forsake you” ( NKJV see also ).

• His model—Jesus. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” ( NIV).

• His guidance. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” ( NRSV).

• His mission for our life that keeps us directed. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” ( NIV).

• His other people with whom we share encouragement. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( NIV).

• His forgiveness when we fall and fail. “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ( NRSV).