Don’t Be Deceived

James is writing to a group of Christians that are going through times of suffering and trials. These believers are cultural outcasts in their society.

Element:

Everyone struggles with temptation! However, we like to blame others for our sin problem. When life falls apart, we begin to look for someone to blame for our problems. If the church isn’t growing, the church blames the pastor for the lack of growth. If we get a speeding ticket, we blame the cop for pulling us over and giving us a ticket. If we lose our job, we blame our former boss for firing us. Thus, it is only natural for us to find someone to blame for our sin. In many cases, we give the devil more benefit than he deserves by blaming him for our sin. In some cases, we blame God for our sinful struggles because He is our creator—he made me this way. However, God is not the author of confusion or sin. Sin usually reflects a choice or decision that we have made in the act of our will.

Textual Idea:

James reminds his readers not to be deceived about God!

Big Idea:

We must not allow ourselves to be deceived about God!

Interrogative:

What steps can we take not to be deceived?

Outline|

I. We recognize the source of sin is our sinful lust (vv. 13-15)

Explanation:

James says: “Let no man say when he is tempted: ‘I am being tempted by God’ For God is unable to be tempted with evil and he, himself, does not tempt anyone” (, Greek). James assures us of the certainty of temptation. James doesn’t say: “if you are tempted,” but “when you are tempted.” During times of temptation, it is easy to pin the blame on God. Yet, James remains us that God is not the source of our temptation. God is not the source of our temptation for two reasons: 1) God is unable to be tempted because of His holiness and perfection; and 2) God doesn’t lead people into sin but sanctification. Since God isn’t to blame for our sin, temptation into sin must be the devil. However, this statement gives the devil too much credit in my personal opinion. Satan is not omnipresent. So, if we cannot blame God or the devil, the source of our temptation is internal instead of external.

First, temptation seeks to deceive us (vv. 14).

James says: “every person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by the lust of his own [flesh].” The source of temptation is the cravings of our sinful flesh—“every person is tempted. . . by the lust of his own flesh.” James uses two metaphors to describe the deceptive nature of temptation. He uses fishing and hunting terms to illustrate the depiction of temptation. First, the phrase drawn away suggests being lured away from a place of protection. However, the word enticed suggests arousing the interests of someone by enticing them. Sin often starts with casual thoughts that turn into minor temptations which lead to major transgressions. Temptation often makes sin look enjoyable.

Secondly, sin seeks to destroy us (vv. 15).

James says: “when the lust has conceived, it gives brith to sin And, when sin is finished, it gives birth to death” (, Greek). Lust leads to sin. I love the next phrase: “when sin is finished.”

It has been said: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”

When sin is finished, it “gives birth to death.” First, Sin can lead to spiritual death for the Christian. If we allow our sin to draw us away from Christ to the point that we are willing to forsake Him as savior, the Bible makes it clear that we have fallen away and are unable to find repentance because we have forsaken the only lord and savior (). Secondly, Sin leads to a death-like existence. For many Christians, they live a life of sin that produces a death-like existence. They have the guilt of their sin, the lack of joy because of their broken fellowship the author of Joy (), and the loss of opportunities to bring God glory, honor, and praise.

Illustration:

Fishing

Argumentation:

How does temptation work?

John provides a perfect description of how temptation works in our heart and mind.

reads: “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (ESV).

First, temptation plays upon the human desires—The lust of the flesh. Next, temptation makes sin look pleasurable and enjoyable—The lust of the eyes. It has been said that eyes are “windows into the soul.” Thus, it leads “directly and quickly from the external observation to evil thoughts.” Finally, temptation plays upon our human pride—the pride of life. This pride leads to a glorification of the self and a failure to realize the dependence of humanity upon God, the Creator, for existence. This begins us down the destructive path of temptation.

Application:

As we consider this important text, four points of application emerge: 1) we must examine our hearts and minds (pornography, bitterness, a critical spirit, anger, lust, pride, a toxic relationship); 2) we must place protective barriers up in our lives (accountability and help); 3) we must never belittle someone for a form of temptation that seems silly to us; and 4) we must flee temptation by removing those things or people that do not help but hinder our struggles.

II. We recognize the source of every good and perfect gift is the Lord (vv. 16-18)

Explanation:

James says: “My believed brother, do not deceive yourselves!” The word err suggests being misled or deceived. However, the idea of this delusion is internal and reflexive—do not allow yourself to be deceived. Amid temptation, it is easy for us to err into the false idea that God is tempting us with evil. When this happens, we become deceived about the character of God. During times of temptation, we must recognize and remember that God is the provider of every good and perfect gift. James describes the goodness and greatness of God in three ways.

First, He is the creating one—father of lights.

The phrase father of lights would have been taken to mean that God is the creator of the sun, moon, and stars.

Secondly, God is the constant one—with whom there is no change like shifting shadows.

The phrase shadow of turning suggests the inconsistency of shadows—they are here and then gone in a moment. God, in his character, is both complete and perfect.

Finally, God is the life-giving one—He gave birth to us by the message of truth so that we might be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

James says: “Because he was willing, He give birth to us by the message of truth So that we might be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures” (). The phrase of his own will carries the idea of a course of action. God’s course of action is he gave birth to us. The salvation of humanity was a deliberate act of a loving God through the redemptive work of Christ. How salvation takes place is through the message of truth. The word of truth is a message of the Gospel—the incarnation, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are born-again by coming to Christ in both faith and repentance. However, I don’t want you to miss the purpose of salvation—“so that we might be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” In the Old Testament, the first-fruits (the first portion of the harvest) were God’s special possession and set apart for Him. As God’s first-fruits, we are declared holy. However, we are to proclaim God’s character to the world by living for Him.

Illustration:

In our worship services, we often sing the doxology. The stanza Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is originally the final line of the Morning Hymn composed by Thomas Ken. The final lines of the morning hymn reads: “Awake, my Soul, and with the Sun, Thy daily Stage of duty run, Shake off dull Sloath, and joyful rise, To pay thy Morning Sacrifice. All Praise to Thee, who safe hast kept, And hast refresh’d me whilst I slept, Grant, Lord, when I from Death shall wake, I may of endless Light partake. Praise God from whom all Blessings flow, Praise him all Creatures here below, Praise him above, ye Heavenly Host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”

Argumentation:

Why should we remember that God is the giver of every good and perfect thing?

When we recall the good and perfect gifts of God, it motives us to respond to him in worship and praise.

Application:

This passage motivates us to praise God! You can praise God because He is the creating one, the constant one, and the life-giving one. We ought to praise God because He is the one from whom all blessings flow.

Conclusion/Application|

Reiteration:

To not be deceived, we must: 1) recognize the source of sin is our sinful lust, and 2) acknowledge the source of every good and perfect gift is the Lord.

Action:

Our passage summons us to take several steps. First, we should continually examine our heart and mind. Self-examine takes place through the work of the Spirit and the Scriptures. Next, we should develop protective barriers through accountability. If you are struggling with a particular sin, you need to find someone who will be willing to keep you accountable. Thirdly, we should flee temptation by growing closer to Jesus. Fourthly, we should be people of praise for God’s good and perfect gift of salvation. Finally, if you do not know Christ, our text invites you to be born-again by repenting of your sin and placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

Appeal:

If God has spoken to your heart, would you respond to him this morning?

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