Gospel Bible Baptist Church

James 1:12-18

Introduction

The Christian life is not an easy one. To live a faithful life is not a walk in the park. We will be facing lots of difficulties, hardships we haven’t experienced when we were not yet a true believer in Christ. Today we will be talking about temptations as well as trials also. Trial is difficulty or trouble that comes from God for the purpose of building us up in the faith. Temptation is a solicitation to sin that comes from Satan for the purpose of ruining our walk with God.

I. The Promise (Jas. 1:12)
A. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. The Greek word for “blessed” is “makarios” which means “happy, blessed”. The happy man is not the man who does not have trials, but the man who endures and perseveres regardless of such trials. This may seem a little strange at first thought. But when we think about it, it is not strange; for we know that trials and tribulations build character and makes us stronger. Christianity has flourished in the fire of affliction. During the Dark Ages, Christianity spread like wild fire despite of the persecution of the Catholic Church. Love for God enables believers who undergo trials to rest confidently in Him. Their steadfastness reveals their love.

II. Temptation – Seduction to evil, solicitation to do wrong. enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good. It stands distinguished from trial thus: trial tests, seeks to discover the man’s moral qualities or character; but temptation persuades to evil, deludes, that it may ruin. The one means to undeceive, the other to deceive. The one aims at the man’s good, making him conscious of his true moral self; but the other at his evil, leading him more or less unconsciously into sin. God tries; Satan tempts.
A. Four Sources of Temptation
1. Satan – Matt. 4:1, Satan tempting Christ
2. The Flesh – James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. This is manifested in 3 specific forms: (a) Lust of the flesh – 1 Jn. 2:16 – immoral and sinful desires (b) lust of the eyes – 1 Jn. 2:16 – the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), Branded clothes, bags, jewelleries, cars, houses. (c)The pride of Life – 1 Jn. 2:16 (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done).
3. Evil associates – Prov. 1:10
4. Christian friends – Matt. 16:22-23, Jesus rebuked Satan speaking thru Peter, “He turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me.

Illustration /Application: Fortune, Fame, Power, Pleasure
The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure.
First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes.
Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one’s own benefit.
Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: “If it feels good, do it.”
Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 219

III. Crowns – For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (Jas. 1:12b)
A. Crown of life” This is the Greek term stephanos, which was a wreath worn on the head as a symbol of military or athletic victory. It is the word from which we get the English name Stephen. There are several crowns referred to in the NT which faithful believers will receive from God.
1. The crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8)
2. The crown of life” (Rev. 2:10; 3:11)
3. The crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4)
4. An imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25)
B. The promise is given to those who “demonstrate” (prove) their love for God by their endurance of the temptations. One expositor says that these crowns may just be one crown viewed or presented on different perspective.
C. The Caution: James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: That is, to blame God for their temptations. For God is so holy: He cannot be tempted by evil. Nor does He tempt anyone to do evil

Illustration/Application:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13) James makes it clear that God is not the source of our temptation. When temptation to sin comes our way, we are not to blame God for it. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Yet many people do just that—they blame God for their own sin. They say, God created me like this. God gave me these desires. This argument is often used by the adulterer and the sodomite. On and on they go as they attempt to justify and rationalize their sin. Their reasoning concludes that God is the author of sin. (Gen. 3:9-13)

IV. How sin Develops: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
A. The first stage is Temptation. To be tempted is not sin. Yielding to temptation is sin.
1. Lust – a strong desire for something.
2. Enticement is an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire. We can say that we are tempted when we lust for something that is not right and there is an opportunity to satisfy it
B. The second stage in the development of sin is sin itself. Jas. 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished. Temptation leads to
sin only when you yield and
act upon it. Sin therefore requires the added step of action. We can say that desire plus opportunity plus action leads to sin.
C. The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: Death. This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the “wages of sin” – Rom. 6:23. Ultimately such “death” involves eternal punishment – Rev. 21:8

V. The Response to Temptation
A. Do not err, my beloved brethren. (James 1:16) Here is a command not to sin. We do have a choice in the matter.
B. We can say no to sin. We have already learned that God is good. Because He is good, He has given us a free will so that we can choose.

1. He has also given us the Holy Spirit to help us make the right choice. Paul said, This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16)
2. What’s more, God has promised us that He would make a way for us to escape. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Here is a promise that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we can handle. That means that God will limit the temptation to the point that we will not have to be overcome by it. That is a promise we can count on.
3. It is important that we understand how the Sovereignty of God and the free will of man work together here. It is God who will make the way, but He makes it clear that we are to bear it. The ability to overcome is given by God, the act of overcoming is up to us—it is our decision. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)
   Illustration/Application: There are Two Lies Satan Wants Us to Believe
4. Just once won’t hurt.
5. Now that you have ruined your life, you are beyond God’s use, and might as well enjoy sinning.
   Source unknown
   C. Results of Temptation
6. If yielded to, they become sin- 1 Tim. 6:9, and the saint is weakened in testimony
7. If resisted, the Lord is glorified, and the saint grows stronger to resist other temptations; the persons grow in faith and maturity; obedience is confirmed
   D. How to get Victory over Temptations
   1. By the faithfulness of God- 1 Cor. 10:13, Revelation 3:10.
   2. By using the word of God – Jesus quoted the scriptures 3 times in Matt. 4.
   3. By the intercession of Christ – Luk. 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
   4. By personal prayer – Matt. 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
   5. By fleeing – 2 Tim. 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts, Prov. 4:14,15, Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away
   6. By resisting – Jas. 4:7 Resist the devil and he will flee from you
   7. By accepting the way of escape – 1 Cor. 10:13 (Alban Douglas)
   VI. God the Source of Good (James 1:16-17).
   A. “Do not err… Every good gift is from above” (James 1:16-17) James warns us against false conceptions of ourselves, or of God. All gifts that truly bless are from God “the Father of lights.” God is unchangeable, always the same, nor does He cast the “shadow of turning” like the sun.
   B. The New Birth (James 1:18).
   “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth…” (James 1:18) As sin gives birth to death, God through His Word gives BIRTH to the one who receives the gospel. Pray over I Peter 1:23. “The seed is the Word of God” (Lk. 8:11). Early converts are often called first fruits of the gospel
   VII. Conclusion:
   God allows us to go through trials and temptations so we experience His blessings and grace and mature spiritually. God sends trials to bring the best in us, while Satan sends temptation to bring the worst in us. Indeed, the man who perseveres and endures will be rewarded with crown of life. We can say no to sins and get victory over temptations. Will you resist temptation also my friend and prove your obedience to the Lord?