James 1:5-18, Trials & Temptation
James 1:5-18
February 4 2007
Intro: SO you’ve had a week to think about it, are you:
James 1:4, … perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (In your Christian life).
A- For those of us who are not there yet (none are) there is “GOD”S GYM”.
1- That place of work out in that you are broken down for the purpose of being built up.
Philippians 2:12-13, …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
a- The work out weights that God uses is the trials and tribulations of our lives.
Read Verses 2-4
Ø So where does this practical work out program start???
A- It all starts at wisdom with an undercurrent of prayer.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1- It’s all part of the growing, maturing, perfecting process.
Psalm 111:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
a- Why not pray for wisdom to avoid falling into trials?
- Because trials come from God it’s wisdom/foolishness that determines the depth of the trial.
b- And really the great need for wisdom = SO we do not waist the opportunities that God is giving us to mature through trial.
B- So where do I get this wave of wisdom? Well it comes from the undercurrent of prayer.
1- In Verses 5&6 underline the word “ASK”.
a- And we are to “ask in faith”.
- SORT OF LIKE SOLOMON:
Turn to 1 Kings 3:3-15
Read Proverbs 8:32-36
2- See from the bible we gain knowledge, from our prayer we gain WISDOM.
a- What’s the difference???
- Wisdom without Knowledge & Knowledge
without Wisdom are both practically useless.
* Snake illustration.
> So what to ask for: WISDOM, where to ask: IN PRAYER, how
to ask: IN FAITH.
Read Verses 5-8
A- Keep in mind this is all part of the maturing process.
1- Peter went for a stroll in faith AND THEN DOUBT ENTERED IN.
Read Matthew 14:28-33
a- With this same picture in mind and the lesson of maturity:
Ephesians 4:13-14, (leaders by example) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Ø What this process does, is it grows us to where we need to go.
Read Verses 9-11
A- It’s all about Cooperation in the Construction of our Christian Character.
1- There are 2 directions here that encompass us all.
a- Some need to be built up (Drugs, divorce, …)
- The awareness of Spiritual riches.
b- Others need to be built down (excess)
- The awareness of Spiritual priorities.
> There are 3 things that are involved in a perfect, complete,
lacking nothing Christian life:
Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (This is the work that God does for us in salvation) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (This is the workd God does in us sanctification), which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (This is the work God does through us SERVICE).
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation (trials); for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Ø SO if Trials come from God for GROWTH, then TEMPTATION comes from the DEVIL FOR DECEPTION that brings destruction.
TEMPTATION = in a bad sense, to test one maliciously or to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin.
1- REMEMBER: God breaks down for the purpose of building up.
2- The Devil breaks down for the purpose of blowing up.
Read Verses 12-18
A- Really trials are a pressing on from the outside temptations are a pressing from the inside.
1- The reason these 2 are linked is:
a- In the midst of a trial we can so easily question the Love of God.
b- The deceiver will tell you of his love for you and show you an easy way out.
- Because of our flesh we could be incline to take it.
Genesis 12
A- God commands Abraham to the promised land and tells him that a great nation is to come from him and his wife.
1- He gets to the promised land and there is a trial waiting for him FAMINE.
a- The devil whispers in his ear and the flesh leads him to the world (Egypt).
- Now God’s plan is in danger as Sarah is in Pharaoh’s harem.
SO Read Verses 13-14
A- Times of testing are turned to temptations by US.
1- We need to take the responsibility for the wrong of trying to achieve something GOOD by setting a BAD course.
a- Eve wanting to be more spiritual (good) took a bad course (sin).
b- A person wanting to save money (good) cheats on his taxes (bad).
c- A Student wanting to do good on an examine (good) cheats (bad).
d- An athlete wanting to win (good) takes steroids (bad).
- SIN = missing the mark.
> You plug in yourself and your better idea, and look at the
process James has laid out for us.
#1- 1st there is “desire” V:14
A- The word is also translated lust.
1- Unlawful desire for carnal pleasure.
a- This is man’s ability to turn something natural
in to something sinful (sex, gluttony, lazy)
#2- 2nd there is “deception” V:15
A- The root word for deception is were we got the word devil.
John 8:44, You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
1- 2 words used with this intent.
a- Drawn away = Baiting a trap.
b- Enticed = baiting a hook.
- The bait used for you is whatever it is that draws your attention.
· King David and Bathsheba
c- The bait is what hides the hook.
#3- The 3rd step to the process of destruction of temptation is SIN
Read Verse 15
A- And sin = THE HOOK.
1- Sin is anything contrary to God’s will or way.
#4- The 4th step is DEATH.
A- This is the separation form God that is the result of sin.
Genesis 3:5-6, For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (deception) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, (desire) and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate (Sin).
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ø So in the midst of a trial and feeling temptation KNOW THIS:
Read Verses 17-18
A- Three closing things when it comes to trials and
God.
#1- God gives ONLY Good gifts.
1- A trial that comes from God is GOOD (godly).
2 Corinthians 12:9, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
#2- God gives constantly.
2- “Comes down” = present participle Keeps on coming down.
#3- And He does not change.
Proverbs 10:22, The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
James 1:5-18
February 4 2007
Philippians 2:12-13
Psalm 111:10
1 Kings 3:3-15
Proverbs 8:32-36
Matthew 14:28-33
Ephesians 4:13-14
Ephesians 2:8-10
John 8:44
Genesis 3:5-6
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 12:9
Proverbs 10:22