Don't Take The Bait
TEXT: JAMES 1:13-
SUBJECT: “DON’T TAKE THE BAIT”
James writes to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, mainly Christian Jews who were scattered about all the land because of persecution. James was trying to encourage them to hang in there. He knew that it was tough to be a Christian in the 1st century, it would be tough to be a Christian in the future. James is encouraging each of us today, as well as people 2,000 years ago. Another way of defining James' wish for us, is that he wants us to be mature.
." It's hard to stay with it, isn't it? After years and years and then when things get tough and you have losses, it's really easy to set things aside, but James is saying, "No, I want you to press on brothers and sisters and be mature."
HEBREWS 6:1 “THEREFORE LET US GO ON TO MATURITY.”
MATURITY IS PATIENCE. IT IS THE WILLINGNESS TO PASS UP IMMEDIATE PLEASURE FOR LONG-TERM GAIN.
IT IS THE ABILITY TO SWEAT IT OUT IN SPITE OF HEAVY OPPOSITION OR DISCOURAGING SETBACKS.
IT IS THE CAPACITY TO FACE UNPLEASANTNESS AND FRUSTRATION WITHOUT COMPLAINING OR COLLAPSING.
MATURITY IS HUMILITY, IT’S BEING BIG ENOUGH TO SAY, I’M SORRY I WAS WRONG, AND WHEN YOU ARE RIGHT NEVER NEEDING TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO.
MATURITY IS DEPENDABILITY. IT’S KEEPING YOUR WORD AND COMING THROUGH IN A CRISIS.
THE IMMATURE ARE MASTERS OF THE ALIBI; THEIR LIVES A MAZE OF BROKEN PROMISES, FORMER FRIENDS, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, AND GOOD INTENTIONS.
MATURITY IS PEACEFULNESS. THE ART OF BEING AT PEACE WITH WHAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE, HAVING THE COURAGE TO CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN, AND HAVING THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
We live in a world of compromise—in a society that has abandoned moral standards and Christian principles in favor of expediency or pragmatism. The underlying philosophy is based on accomplishing goals by whatever means are necessary. This self-centered perspective should have as its motto: “If it works for you, do it”—a notion that inevitably leads to compromise of conscience and convictions. MacArthur, J. (1997). The power of integrity : Building a life without compromise. Includes indexes. (7). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.
ALL TOO OFTEN, WE FAIL TO DEVELOP PROPER PRIORITIES.
WE, TOO OFTEN, ASSUME NON-ESSENTIALS…ARE ESSENTIAL.,
AND THE UNIMPORTANT…IS OF THE GREATEST NECESSITY,
AND THEREFORE WE TOO OFTEN PUT 1ST. THINGS LAST…..
WHILE PUTTING THE TRIVIAL IN 1ST.PLACE IN OUR LIFE.
HOW OFTEN PERSONAL PLEASURE IS PLACED ABOVE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY…
SELFISH WANTS ARE PLACED ABOVE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS
POPULARITY IS CONSIDERED MORE IMPERATIVE THAN INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER……T.V. THAN PRAYER AND MEDITATION….. PERSONAL COMFORT THAN PERSONAL COMMITMENT (EVEN IN CHURCH..THE CLOCK
I FIRMLY BELIEVE CHRISTIANS OUGHT ALWAYS BE PRESSING FORWARD TO HIGHER HORIZONS, GREATER OPPORTUNITIES, GREATER VICTORIES,
BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, FURTHER POSSIBILITIES, DEEPER CONVICTIONS, AND MORE GODLY LIFESTYLES.
IN THE TEXT BEFORE US, JAMES MAKES A SWIFT CHANGE OF DIRECTION.
PRIOR TO HE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANTIAL TRIAL,
BUT IN VERSE 13, HE CHANGESS DIRECTION, NO LONGER IS THE TRIAL OUTWARD; NOW IT HAS TO DO WITH AN INNER ENTICEMENT OR PRESSURE TO SIN. Quote: The problem is not the tempter w/out but the traitor w/in. MacArthur
OH, HOW MANY THERE HAVE BEEN WHO SAID THEY WOULD RUN ON AND RAN OFF………..
NEVER TURN AROUND…………..YET THEY DID.
NEVER LEAVE THE CHURCH………YET THEY DID
NEVER STOP PRAYING…………….
NEVER LOSE THEIR HUNGER……..YET THEY DID
WERE ONCE FAITHFUL IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE
FAITHFUL CHOIR MEMBERS
FAITHFUL SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS
FAITHFUL TITHERS, FAITHFULLY AT PRAYER MEETING
FAITHFULLY AT BIBLE STUDY
MANY HAVE CEASED AND ARE CEASING TO WALK WITH GOD UNDER THE PRESSURE OF TROUBLE OR TRAGEDY;
THE CALL TO ENDURE, TO PERSERVERE, WAS ABANDONED IN FAVOR OF GIVING UP.
HE ALREADY TOLD THEM IN VERSE TWELVE,
“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO ENDURES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. IT’S STRUGGLE, BUT IT HAS A GUARANTEE.-----GAINED STRENGTH
JAMES SAYS EVERY TRIAL IS ALSO A TEMPTATION.(ENTICEMENT&ESC.)
SATANIC ENTICEMENT….A TURN ON TO TURN YOU AWAY..1COR.10.13
He says it's like a fishing lure. It intends to kill, steal, and destroy the pursuit of God and the things of God. (He can offer the bait, but he can’t make you bite.) KILLING A WOLF Note: When David should have been off to war, he took a sick day and it cost him.
2 Temptation finds people who live on the edge and the ledge
Note: It is so easy to lose your balance or to have someone who doesn’t like you to give you a nudge. Don’t give people who want to see you fall an open shot.
The devil sets traps for us. He places your favorite thing as the bait on the trap. .
James 1:12 (TEV) Temptation is subtle and it sneaks up on you. If you are not paying attention you will take the bait and never notice that there was a trap.
Don’t Be Fooled13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY TEMPTS US TO QUESTION GOD’S PROVIDENCE.
THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE TEMPTS US TO QUESTION GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
SUFFERING OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE EASE OF THE WICKED CAN TEMPT US TO QUESTION GOD’S JUSTICE EVEN EXISTENCE.
ABRAHAM, ISRAEL IN CANAAN, KING HEZEKIAH OPENING HIS HOUSE
HE’S BEEN TEACHING US THAT TRIALS ARE BLESSINGS.
IN THAT THEY LEAD US WHERE WE WOULD NOT GO ON OUR OWN;
THAT IS TOWARD MATURITY AND TOWARD THE CROSS.
YET EVERYTHING DEPENDS UPON HOW WE RESPOND AND THE USE WE MAKE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
NOW JAMES MAKES US FACE A FLAW WITHIN US.
HERE IT IS, IT’S EASIER TO SLIP BACK THAN IT IS TO PRESS FORWARD WHEN THE PRESSURE IS ON.
WE USED TO SAY WE’D RATHER FIGHT THAN SWITCH; THAT’S WHAT WE USED TO SAY.
NOW INSTEAD OF A GOOD FIGHT, WE WANT A QUICK FLIGHT.
WE HAVE VERY LITTLE STICKABILITY.
Temptation is always two-sided in this way; so whenever we are conscious of Satan seeking to pull us down, we should remind ourselves that God is present too to keep us steady and to build us up through the harrowing experience. Packer, J. I. (1995). A passion for faithfulness : Wisdom from the book of Nehemiah. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.
THE QUESTION IS SHALL WE PERSEVERE AND PRESS ON IN THE LORD?
OR SHALL WE HEED THE VOICE OF DISOBEDIENCE AND TURN BACK?
I JUST GIVE UP! I’M TIRED OF TRYING! I QUIT!“It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life” (1 Kin. 19:4). Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (32). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
BUT WHERE DOES THAT VOICE COME FROM?
JAMES WARNS US, BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SPEAK WHEN THE PRESSURE’S ON.
THERE ARE TIMES WE ALLOW DISTURBING THOUGHTS TO CROSS OUR MINDS AND WORDS TO FALL FROM OUR LIPS.
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
AND IF WE DO, WE WILL COME TO THE DISCOVERY THAT NO ONE IS TO BLAME FOR OUR SINS BUT US. God loves you – He doesn’t lure you; He blesses you – He doesn’t bait you; He encourages you – He doesn’t entice you. Why? B/c He is good! All the time!
BLAME ALL YOU WANT TO, BUT WHILE YOU’RE POINTING ONE FINGER AT OTHERS……………………but because of our own internal makeup so we grab that bait and it leads to sin. It leads forth to death if we keep it up
You see, the mature Christian knows in his or her heart of hearts that there is an old nature residing there. And all you need to do is just let go of Jesus' hand for a little while, move away from the word of God for a little while, and move away from the fellowship of the church for a little while and before long you are a sitting duck. You know that you can't make it. I don't care how long you have been a Christian. You can't make it, apart from a close relationship with Christ and a mature Christian knows that.
Father, do not forsake Your child, or I will fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, do not forsake Your lamb, or I will wander from the safety of the fold. Great Vineyard Keeper, do not leave your plant, or I will wither and die. “Do not forsake me, O Lord,” now or at any moment of my life. Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (77). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Insert: Spiritual Speed Bumps – the purpose f a speed bump is to slow us down and to get us to drive cautiously. We need spiritual speed bumps to slow down the temptation to sin process – and God’s Word is the best speed bump around.
So a mature Christian stays close to Him and confesses it when they don't.
THE DEVIL MADE ME…That’s man’s mode of operation – blame someone else. From the beginning, sin’s nature is to pass the blame.…………….
IN THE GARDEN IT STARTED………..THE WOMAN YOU GAVE ME IF YOU HADN’T GIVEN HER TO ME………………………………
The point is this: man seldom takes responsibility for his own wrong-doing. Man blames woman and woman blames man. Spouse blames spouse. Child blames parent and parent blames child. The student blames the teacher and the teacher blames the school. Partner blames partner. Employer blames employee and employee blames employer.
JAMES SAYS EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED…BEFORE AND AFTER SAVED……………..IF YOU NEVER BUMP INTO THE DEVIL, YOU MUST BE WALKING WITH HIM.
EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST.
SOME DESIRE DEVELOPED FROM OUR THOUGHTS (LUST AND LOVE)
YOUR MIND BECOMES A CAMERA AND YOU ARE TAKING PICTURES
IT CAN SURFACE AT ANY TIME AND ENTICE YOU.( IF THINKING I MIGHT AS WELL)
SOON SIN IS BORNJames changes his analogy from hunting and fishing to childbirth. ……………………………………..
AND BRINGETH FORTH SIN--------------WILL KICKS IN.
ACT ON IT……………………………………………..
SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, THE WAGES OF SIN..WALK IN THE SPIRIT
BECAUSE OF SIN DEATH ENTERED THE WORLD…DEATH BECOME REAL.
IT STARTED AS A THOUGHT …………
AND THERE IS STILL HOPE.
CAST DOWN IMAGINATIONS ----REPLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY
BEFORE COMMITTAL.
1:14). The 1st step in his plan to catch you is…
5. Desire. Note: Once desire has been rationalized and chosen the result is an action. Up and to this point, sin was only in the temptation stage and could have been stopped, but once the mind, emotions, and will have acted – it is all over but the crying.
“…he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:14). The 2nd step in the devil’s plan to catch you is…
6. Deception. The devil knows what the right bait is. He’s not going to bait the trap with SOMETHING YOU HATE.
“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin…” (James 1:15). The 3rd step in the devil’s plan is to catch you is…
7. Disobedience. See the progression here. Temptation starts in the mind, but ends up in sin.
“…and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15). The last step in the devil’s plan is…
8. Death. Sin leads to death. The wages of sin is death. Note: It is a very simple principle – sin always results in death. Something must die when sin is born.
Verse: Do not be deceived: God can’t be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Ga. 6:7f
Note: Whatever you sow you will reap a harvest in return.
Now I realize that Christians fall to temptation; but I want you to see that when you get caught in the Devil’s trap your joy and peace as a Christian are gone. Sin is a joy killer.
To stay out of the Devil’s trap…
Don’t Focus On The Bait
James 1:17-18 (NIV)
If you don’t want to get caught, then stop focusing on the bait. If you keep looking at the bait and wondering about the bait; then you will begin to try to justify taking the bait and the next thing you know- you’re caught!
Christians, we are saved from our sins!
We are the first fruits of all God created. Instead of focusing on the bait, focus on the Word of Truth. Replace those temptations with the Word.
That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t argue with the devil, He used Scripture.
If your bait is hate, then you need to turn to the Word, which says we are to love.
If your bait is worry, then you need to turn to the Word, which says be patient and trust in the Lord. Do you get what I am trying to say?
Conclusion:
Don’t take the bait! The devil is just trying to kill your happiness, joy, peace, etc…
FOR THIS CAUSE MANY ARE WEAK AND SICKLY AND MANY SLEEP.
DUE TO SIN………………………………….
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." (That's what James is all about. He is trying to help us stay with it. Because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.")
How does one know if something is genuine? It must be examined……………….
Lord we pray that this word would spur us on. Lord that we would be people who run to the finish line, that don't grow weary, but that press on to the high mark, the high calling. Lord we ask for Your strength, and I ask that if anyone is here today who doesn't know You, that they come to understand what it means to know You and be Your servant. And for those who do know You, Lord and are struggling, I pray that You would lift them up and strengthen them and help them to know that even though it feels like pressure, there are beautiful times coming if we do not grow weary and lose heart.
Do not think that as you grow in grace your path will become smoother and the sky calmer and clearer. Quite the contrary. As God gives you greater skill as a soldier of the cross, He will send you on more difficult missions. As He more fully equips your ship to sail in storms, He will send you on longer voyages to more boisterous seas, so that you may honor Him and increase in holy confidence. Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
You do not have a crown. You still must wear the helmet and carry the sword. You must watch, pray, and fight. Expect your last battle to be the most difficult, for the enemy’s fiercest charge is reserved for the end of the day.
The more He loves you, the more He will test you. I remember Samuel Rutherford writing to a lady who had lost five children and her husband, “Oh, how Christ must love you! He would take every bit of your heart to Himself. He would not allow you to reserve any of your soul for any earthly thing.” Can we stand the test? Can we let everything go for His sake? Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (45). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Some of you are enduring deep affliction. In your extraordinary trial, remember the depth of divine faithfulness. You may be unable to comprehend why, but I urge you to believe in the firmness and stability of divine affection. You will have comfort in proportion to your trials. If you have shallow sorrows you will receive shallow graces. If you have deep afflictions you will obtain deeper proof of God’s faithfulness.
“According to your faith let it be to you” (Matt. 9:29). Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (34). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Spurgeon, C., & Clarke, R. H. (2000, c1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul (electronic ed.) (2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.