Tests, Trials and Temptations Part 2
“Tests, Trials, and Temptations” Part 2
James 1:13-16 (NLT) And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled [deceived], my dear brothers and sisters.
James 1:13 (NLT) And remember, when you are being tempted…
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”
Temptation — “an internal desire that tries to draw us away from what we know is right.”
1. Being tempted is NOT a sin.
Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.
“The battle isn’t whether temptation will come. The battle is whether I’ll consent to it.”
—A.B. Simpson
2. Temptation is personal.
James 1:13 (NLT) And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else.
The Cause of Temptation — Where does it come from?
James 1:14 (NKJV) Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires…
Desire — “a strong feeling of wanting something.”
Temptation takes something we legitimately desire and tries to convince us that we need it badly enough to disobey God to get it.
The Course of Temptation — Where does it take us?
James 1:14-15 (NKJV) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Drawn away — “something being pulled or dragged from one place to another.”
Enticed — “to lure, bait, or trap.”
Progression: Temptation begins with desire, grows through deception, gives birth to sin, and ultimately produces death.
The Caution of Temptation — What’s the cost?
James 1:15-16 (AMP) Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be misled…
“Sin will take us farther than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we want to pay.”
Proverbs 7:6-27 (NLT) While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. 15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month.” 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of [what?] death.
How do we overcome temptation?
1. Recognize the bait.
2. Recognize our vulnerability.
3. Recognize and reject the lie.
4. Remove ourselves when necessary.
5. Run to God.
Romans 6:6 (NLT) We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.
Romans 6:11 (NLT) So you should also consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.