Facing Temptation...and Living To Tell About It Series

Facing Temptation…and living to tell about it

Series: James – Real Faith for Real Life

James 1:13-18

To overcome temptation, we need to

Know the origin of temptation and sin

Know the process of temptation and sin

Evil Desire + Opportunity = Temptation

Temptation + Action = Sin

Sin + Consequence = Death

Know the Victory over temptation and sin

Read the Word

Resist the Devil

Realize the Way Out

Idea for part of outline based on outline by Mark Copeland (http://executableoutlines.com/ja/ja_05.htm)

Open with Lifehouse - Everything video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOLjerTc2Ns

Slide

Introduction

Temptation. What comes to mind when you here that word?

It is probably the area or form that seems to tempt you.

And the fact is that temptation comes in many different forms for different people.

Person

Sometimes it looks like a person. You may be tempted to

think about that person or

be with that person

in a way that does not honor God.

Money

Sometimes temptation looks like money. We want more and more and are tempted to do things to get money that we know are wrong.

Alcohol or Drugs

Sometimes temptation comes in the form of alcohol or drugs. We want to feel differently from the way we do now so we seek to change our feeling with alcohol or drugs.

But temptation lies to us.

It promises one thing and delivers something entirely different.

It promises joy, but delivers heartache.

It promises fullness or satisfaction, but delivers emptiness.

It promises life, but it delivers death.

But even when we know this, temptation comes again and it seems to gain victory over us.

Is there any way that we can face temptation and live to tell about it?

Transition

Last week, we began a series through the book of James called Real Faith for Real Life.

We are continuing that this morning as we are going to look at what James tells us about temptation and how we can face it and live to tell about it.

This morning I would like you to turn with me to James 1:13-18

Slide

As you turn there, I just want to briefly recap last week.

James told us to rejoice in trials of many kinds because it tests our faith and develops perseverance and persevering through trials helps mature and complete us.

Now James talks about temptation and what we need to know when we face temptation and sin so that we are able to overcome them.

Let’s read James 1:13-18

James 1:13-18

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 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. 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.

Pray

If we are going to overcome temptation and sin, then the first thing we need is to

Know the Origin of Temptation and Sin

Slide

James 1:13-14

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

First, we need to realize that

Temptation to do evil is not from God

Slide

Sometimes people think to themselves that God is the one who has created me. He has given me these desires. He puts me in positions to be tempted to do wrong. Why am I to blame when He created me this way and then tempted me to do it?

God never tempts anyone, ever, to do evil.

The difference between testing and tempting

We need to understand that there is a difference between testing, which God does bring about in our life, and tempting, which he doesn’t.

God tests his people to help them persevere and grow in their faith.

Testing is something external that works to change us internally, to develop our character and make us mature and complete

We see examples of this in His word

He tested Abraham with being willing to sacrifice Isaac

Temptation is something that begins internally and leads us to do evil.

God never tempts anyone to do evil.

God’s testing leads us to take actions that will bring glory to Him and help us.

Temptation is leading us to take actions that dishonor God and hurt us.