Trials and Temptations

 

James 1:1

English Standard Version

 

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

 

 

Right now in Covid 19 we are dispersed abroad.  Some of us are meeting in Church and some on the Internet. 

 

James 1:2-3

English Standard Version

 

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

If we don't quit, we win. 

Trials are external.  They are about the circumstances that we find ourselves in.  

1. God wants to use our circumstances to mature us.   

We don't have a choice of which trial we have, but we can choose our attitude within it. 

James 1:4

English Standard Version

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

 

2. We can use trials to get closer to God.  

 

"God shouts to us in our pain."  C. S. Lewis

 

We must ask for help.  

 

James 1:5

English Standard Version

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

 

We must stand firm in our faith, and focus on God alone.  We must focus on the faithfulness of God. 

 

James 1:6-8

English Standard Version

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

1 Peter 1:7

English Standard Version

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

3. Satan wants to use temptation to destroy us.   We must understand the process.  

 

James 1:14-15

English Standard Version

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 

 

Temptation happens on the inside of us.  

Here's the process.

 

1. Deception

2. Desire

3. Disobedience

4. Death

 

"Sin will take you further than you want to go.  Keep you longer than you want to stay.  Cost you more than you want to pay."    

Ravi Zacharias

 

James 1:16

English Standard Version

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

1 Peter 5:8

English Standard Version

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

 

We can fight back in temptation, and use it as an area of growth.  

 

Remember AC/DC

 

Avoid the situation.

Counter with the Word of God. 

Develop healthy friendships.

Commit to prayer.  

 

Let's live in victory.

 

James 1:18

English Standard Version

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.