Stop Blaming & Start Believing

Intro: review v.2-11: how can we “count [our trials] all joy”

when we understand God’s purpose

when we utilize the available resources

when we recognize what has true value

as we continue our study, I’d like to bring a few thoughts to your attention:

James starts w/ a summary

—v.12 is somewhat the pivot point as James addresses in trials

(stay in the fight, it will be worth it!)—Paul testifies similarly in

he reproves w/ a warning

then he concludes w/ a contrast

—if we’re gonna grow up & mature as Christians, 1st & foremost, we must recognize & deal w/ SIN.

—to be victorious over temptations from w/in, when dealing w/ allurements to sin we need to “Stop blaming, & Start believing” (say that w/ me)

James starts w/ a Summary v.12

James starts w/ a Summary v.12

(stay in the fight, it will be worth it!)—Paul testifies similarly in

Transition: obviously from the context, “temptations” can come from w/o or from w/in.

—Trials are tests sent by God to prove & try our faith, and more often than not, Satan will send temptations to evil, encouraged by the sinful, fallen nature inside of us.

—Satan is the tempter.

So what’s the connection b/w trials w/o & temptations w/in?

-if we’re not careful, the temptations on the outside may influence temptation to sin on the inside: nevertheless, we have a choice to make—we can trust God or we can sin.

—God sends trials to bring out the best in us, but Satan sends temptation to bring out the worst in us.

He reproves w/ a Warning v.13a, 16

(only imperatives in the passage: don’t be mistaken, don’t pass the blame—)

—much of our failure is from misunderstanding

He concludes w/ a Contrast v.13-15 w/ v.17-18

man’s susceptibility to sin vs. God’s stability & grace

—we learn much a/b the nature of man & the nature of God

in both sides of this contrast, we see a source, a process, & a result