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.

The Key to Overcoming Temptation

Nowhere in the Bible does it say to resist temptation.  


We are to resist the tempter (James 4:7).  


Whatever we resist we focus upon. 


Whatever we focus upon we are still being tempted by.


Don't focus upon what you don't want. 


The key to overcoming temptation is to change your focus to something else.
  

Change the channel of your mind that's called repentance.
  

You can't control your thoughts; however, you can change what you're thinking about.
  

When you mind is full of Godly thoughts, it allows no space for ungodly thoughts to get in. 

Philippians 4:8  (NKJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Whatever gets your attention gets your arousal.  Whatever gets your arousal.  Gets your actions.



You control temptation at your attention before it ever gets to your actions. 


Nip it in the bud.  


I'm not going to think it or feel it.  


I'm going to think about something else. 


The more you think about something. The stronger the hold it has on you.    


When temptation calls, drop the phone. Don't answer.  

  

Rick Warren

Rethinking Temptation

Any time you change your mind in regards to surrendering to temptation is called repentance.  


You overcome temptation not by resisting it, but by rethinking it. 


You can't defeat it unless you understand it.  



It could be a wrong desire, or a right desire fulfilled in the wrong way. 


A temptation is a desire out of control.


Satan tries to get you to question God's Word. 


Behind every sin is a lie that you're believing. 


Any time you have a negative emotion.  You've given Satan a foothold in your life.  


This makes you vulnerable to temptation.  



To defeat temptation, you need to inventory your thoughts that you're having and the feelings coming out of those thoughts.

  

Thoughts are how Satan hooks you.  Not your behavior.  



Satan plays with your emotions everyday of your life. He hooks your feelings. 



Satan is a master manipulator of your moods. 



Once he's got you emotional involved.  You're done. 



The behavior is going to happen when your emotions have kicked in. 



When negative emotions arise in your life, you are being set up for a downfall.
   

Rick Warren

How do I handle Spiritual Warfare?

We have to take a stand against the devil's wicked schemes.   

C.S. Lewis said "The problem is that most people either over estimate or under estimate spiritual warfare." 

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Jesus is stronger and more powerful than anything that the devil can throw against us.

  

1 John 3:8  (NLT)

8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

Sometimes the voice of the enemy seems like he's trying to help you, but don't be deceived.  (Read Matthew 4:1-11).  

Satan comes to us with:

1. Temptation is when we think to high of ourselves.

A. Temptation shows us the bait, but hides the hook. 

B. Temptation provides momentary pleasure with a lifetime of pain.

  

C. Temptation rationalizes sin as a virtue.  

D. Temptation makes a life of sin seem like a better life. 

E. Temptation discourages us by making us believe that a Godly life is impossible.   

2. Accusation is when we think to low of ourselves.  

A. Accusation causes us to look more at our sin than at our Savior.

B. Accusation causes us to think that our life is beyond God's help.

C. Accusation tells us that we are living a punished life. 

D. Accusation tells us that we can't know God.

How do you handle Spiritual Warfare?

Keep your heart sensitive to  God everyday.  Don't listen to the lies of the enemy.  Trust in God.

1.  Expect Spiritual Warfare.  

The enemy doesn't like  you. 

2.  Detect Spiritual Warfare.  

Submit yourself to God.

3.  Reject Spiritual Warfare.  Use the Word of God to resist the Enemy. 

James 4:7  (NKJV)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Get around positive people.  Shut the door on the devil by changing the channel of your mind to the temptation that you were thinking about.

Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things arelovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/how-do-i-handle-spiritual-warfare   

The stages of sin...

Temptations are promises from the devil packed with evil to destroy you.

1. Recognize the source of temptation. 

James 1:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

2. Understand the process of temptation. 

James 1:14-15 New International Version (NIV)

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

The stages of sin...

A. Temptation customized just for you.

  

B.  Fantasy which begins with the eyes (Matt. 6:22-23).

C.  Moving toward sin (1 Cor. 6:18)

D.  The act of sin.

E.  Death (Proverbs 14:12)

3. Learn how to overcome temptation.  

James 1:16-17 New International Version (NIV)

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

A.  Avoid harmful influences.

B.  Counter temptation with the Word. 

C. Develop healthy relationships. 

4. Fall in love with Jesus. 

John 14:15 New International Version (NIV)

“If you love me, keep my commands.

James 1:18 New International Version (NIV)

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

God thinks that you're wonderful.  He is so in love with you.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands