Perseverance Under Pressure Perfects

We are either in the middle of a storm

Coming Out of a Storm

Or getting ready to go through a storm

Where are you?

The Book of James addresses this.

;

James addresses two kinds of Challenges we face

The Book of James Addresses this. ;

The first is Trials

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

The second is Temptations

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

What is the difference in a Trial and a Temptation?

A Trial God allows to mature and perfect us

What are some Trials people face?

Sickness…Donna in hospital; purpose she was there

Lost a job

Sudden death of a person

A Temptation is a desire to do wrong, called sin.

What are some temptations people face?

Satan can put an idea in the mind.

We can desire something we should not have

The way we respond to the pressure of a trial reveals what we’re like inside

With the wisdom of the world

in dealing with trials

in dealing with temptations

With the Wisdom of God

in dealing with trials

;

in dealing with temptations

3:13-18

There are two kinds of results

Squeeze and orange

With the wisdom of the world

in dealing with trials

in dealing with temptations

Show Temptation trap

Squeeze a lemon

With the Wisdom of God

in dealing with temptations

in dealing with trials

Squeeze a believer...

in dealing with temptations

They see a greater good

Should reveal God’s in control

I trust God

Show Coloring Book; result is a Spirit filled life.

I want God to get the glory out o of this

I see God perfecting me

Note the similarities of the Wisdom of God to the Fruit of the Spirit

Pressure reveals our need for God’s Wisdom

What is wisdom?

“Wisdom is seeing life from God’s perspective”- Bill Gothard

“The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge...”

We get knowledge from reading, memorizing and meditating on Scripture

Understanding is how it applies to life.

Wisdom=Knowledge + Understanding

We can ask God to give us wisdom…not doubting!

I

We are not to be double-minded. That is wishy-washy!

The wisdom God gives is revealed in James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Temptation-Our desire to do wrong

Greetings.

Many people blame God for what happens

Flip Wilson used to say, “God made me do it.”

Trials and Temptations

In the LGQT community, people say, “God made me this way.”

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

They say if you have thought about it, then you must be. A temptation.

If that is true, then pedophiles, murderers, rapists, thieves, adulterers can say the same thing.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

The Bible says, God cannot even be tempted!

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

God doesn’t tempt anyone either.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Where does temptation come from?

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Satan puts thoughts in our mind.

Our selfish desires

Selfish ambitions

Our desire to be God!

How does a temptation become a sin?

Like all things that develop

A seed is planted

The seed is watered

The seed sprouts and grows producing other seed

What is the result of yielding to temptation?

Let’s look at the simple mouse trap

When we go from temptation to doing the sin, the death penalty is passed instantly.

The pressure to yield to temptation is great.

Resisting temptation can bring great victory.

“There is no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,

but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

We can overcome temptation and not fall into sin.

The Wisdom of God brings a life of living color when we walk with Him, asking for Him to fill us with His Spirit.

If you have a trial you are going through, ask God to give you wisdom and to fill you with His Spirit.

If you are facing a tempation, ask God to fill you with His Spirit and control you so you do not sin.

If you have sinned, ask The Lord to forgive you and be your Lord and Savior.

God’s pressure perfects us to be like Jesus!