Blame Game Part 2

Introduction/Review

Gardening example of pulling up weeds.

So to review, last week James 1:13-18 taught us that we should not blame God when we are tempted and fall into sin…for that is our own fault as it is a result of our own desires…but instead we should trust in God’s goodness to give us life through the gospel.

What Are We Going To Do With This Text?

Ultimately, James says that if we do not deal with our desires, they will entice us into sin, and if sin is not dealt with…it will lead to death.

Therefore, we must kill sin before it kills us.

We must take the initiative…when it comes to temptation and sin, we cannot just play defense…but we must always be on the offensive to have the upper hand.

So how are we to kill sin and take the initiative before it kills us?

1. We must own up to our sin and identify the problem

2. Once we have identified the problem, we must replace the lies with gospel truths.

So lets first look at what identifying the problem looks like...

Robby Gallaty-3 Desires that can tempt us to sin..connected with the three temptations Satan gave to Jesus in Matthew 4.

The three desires that can lure and entice us into sin are…APPETITE, AMBITION, and APPROVAL

Satan is crafty, but he is not creative…he uses the same tactics with our desires today as he did with Jesus.

Appetite… I will never have enough

Satan tempted Jesus to not depend upon God for food (Matthew 4:3-4).

Convenience decimates dependence.

Core Issue is fear…I will either never have enough so I need to keep getting stuff or on the flip side…I will never have enough, therefore I will hoard stuff.

Essentially, we don’t trust the Lord to take care of us.

Ambition… I will never accomplish/do enough

Jesus was tempted to take a short cut in God’s plan by Satan…to make him king right now (Matthew 4:8-10).

It is good to have ambition and want to accomplish things and be successful…but the temptation is…AT WHAT COST?

Often turns into SELFISH-AMBITION-wanting to make a name for ourselves instead of glorifying and serving God.

James 3:16- “For where Jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

Core Issue: Guilty for not accomplishing enough.

Approval… I will never be enough, or be good enough/worthy

Satan tempted Jesus to jump off a ledge for the angels to catch him to be approved by the world (Matthew 4:5-7).

How are you seeking approval? social media? parents? boyfriend/girlfriend, friends at school.

Core issue: shame…cripples our intimacy with God (Genesis 3).

We normally ping-pong back and forth between these three desires.

*Ask yourself the question, what desire do I most struggle with…when I fall into temptation and sin, what desire is enticing and luring my heart away, what lie am I believing about God, my life, and my self?

2. Once we have identified the problem, we must replace the lies with gospel truths.

We must see God’s provision in Christ that is revealed by His Spirit through Scripture. We must submit ourselves to his word and make God our king.

We replace the lies we are believing in with God’s truth. Jesus defeated the lies of the enemy through the word of God, and we must do the same.

Appetite… I will never have enough

Truth to replace it: I have everything I need in Jesus.

Philippians 3:4-8 Nothing compares to the joy and benefit I have in Christ…I count everything as loss compared to Christ…The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23).

Jesus always becomes and absorbs our sin so that we can experience abundant life in him...

Jesus became needy so we did not have to be by saying, “I thirst,” on the cross. Jesus became needy so that we could be satisfied in Him

Ambition… I will never accomplish enough

Truth to replace it: Jesus has accomplished everything for us in his life, death, and resurrection.

Galatians 6:14 I will only boast in the cross of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Our confidence and sufficiency is in Christ, not ourselves.

Jesus became weak for us by dying for us on the cross so that we could become strong in Him.

Approval… I will never be enough, or be good enough/worthy

Truth to replace it: God has already approved and accepted me in Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3-5; 2:1-10 God has already approved and accepted us before we were even created in Christ.

Colossians 3:12-We are God’s Holy, beloved, children.

Jesus becomes rejected, deserted, and forsaken so we do not have to be.

We must believe these truths which will provide godly motives.

The result will be that the godly roots will produce godly fruit and allow us to walk in obedience to our Lord and we will have the power to resist temptation.

Ultimately, whatever gospel we are preaching to ourselves each day is the gospel we will believe and live out.

What gospel are you preaching to yourself today? What voices are you listening to today? The lies of the enemy, the world, and your flesh or the truths of the gospel found in God’s word?

Trying to fight temptation and sin without the word of God is like going into a battle without your sword…its like trying to play football without your helmet and shoulder pads....its like trying to hit a baseball without a bat…its impossible and we will not stand a chance.

Therefore, as Robby Gallaty says, “We must get into the word until the word gets into us”

If we do this, allowing the word of truth to reveal our sin and need for Christ and then remove the lies of our hearts and give us new desires…we will be able to walk in victory over sin and temptation…we will be able to remain steadfast under trials…and as James tells us in verse 12....we will pass the test and receive the crown of life!