Sermon Notes

THE BOOK OF James

How to Deal with Temptation

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” James 1:12-18

I. WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IT FOR WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

Temptations opportunities to choose something other than God

1. Temptation IS experienced by everyone

2. Temptation is NOT sin

3. Temptation is NOT from God

4. Temptation is used by God

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

II. WE HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:14

Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:9-13

“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” – Charles Spurgeon

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.  Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)

III. WE HAVE TO REALIZE how it works and WHERE IT LEADS

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:14-15

Starts with Desire

Continues with Deception

Results in Disobedience

Ends in Death

“For the Christian, sin is death his sensitivity, credibility, and influence for the kingdom” Clyde Cranford

Every sin in my life is choosing to believe a lie rather than the truth of God!

IV. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WHO OUR GOD IS

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.