Life's Pitfalls And Discoveries- Wisdom Of Trials And Temptations Series

Life’s Pitfalls and Discoveries

Wisdom with Trials and Temptations

James chapter 1:5-1:18

Introduction-

Good morning everyone, today we continue our study of the pitfalls of life and the discoveries that can be found to help us avoid them.

Last week we looked at un-forgiveness as the pitfall and the discovery that forgiveness can set a person free and allows us to live as God intended. We all want forgiveness when we make mistakes but few are willing to give forgiveness when someone else makes a mistake or does us wrong.

Today I want to look at putting the necessary guidelines in our life that serve as a bumper when we begin to go off track.

James records some important text on the subject and we will break it down into two sessions, (1) looking at the wisdom that is available if we are willing to hear it and (2) About keeping our minds centered and focused on God so that we don’t stumble and set ourselves up for failure.

James chapter 1:5-1:18 Read from Bible

Illustration- (SermonCentral)

George W. Bush, in an airport lobby, noticed a man in a flowing white robe with a long flowing white beard and flowing white hair. The man had a staff in one hand and some stone tablets under the other arm. George W. approached the man and inquired, “Aren’t you Moses?” The man ignored George W. and stared at the ceiling. George W. positioned himself more directly in the man’s view and asked again, “Aren’t you Moses?” The man continued to look at the ceiling. George W. tugged at the man’s sleeve and asked once again, “Aren’t you Moses?” The man finally replied, the last time I spoke to a bush I had to spend forty years in the desert.

The only way to have a better life, to have a fulfilling life is by listening and doing what the Lord has told us in His Word to us.

John 10:10-

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The thief (Satan) has come to destroy everything in your life of worth and take away the joy and fulfillment that God promises by telling you and convincing you that you can do whatever you want and be satisfied and complete and it is a lie straight out of Hell and smells like smoke.

I do not see a devil behind every door but I see lives destroyed because they have turned their back on God and think that they knew better than God for their lives and they are a mess.

This has been a hard month for me, I saw two of my friends my age pass away and it is a reality check to make sure that we have things right in our lives. One I am confident is with the Lord and one that I am not sure of and breaks my heart to think he could be lost for eternity.

Guidelines and guard rails are set up by God to help us and guide us and we have the option of (1) Trusting God with our lives and our future or (2) Do things our way.

“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

I think God has a sense of humor. If you don’t believe me think about this- God who tells us if we lack wisdom, He will give us wisdom. Compared to God, who would know more? Who would be the one lacking wisdom? Would anyone of us honestly want to challenge God on who knows best?

Intelligence is not the same as wisdom. I know a lot of smart people that I believe do not have a lick of common sense and make very bad spiritual choices that they will or have already regretted.

Illustration-

Muhammad Ali was on an airplane ready for takeoff and the flight attendant asked him to put his seat belt on. He replied… Superman don’t need a seat belt. She moved on thinking that he would get it strapped in a moment. She returned and asked him again to fasten his seatbelt and again he replied… superman don’t need no seatbelt. Out of frustration, she answers back briskly…Superman don’t need an airplane. Get the seatbelt on or leave the plane.

We think we are special.

We think that we are invincible.

We think we have all the answers.

We think that we know best.

Have you ever done anything dumb or stupid? Of course, we all have. God asking us if we lack wisdom, we should ask of him.

Every one of us ought to be in that line looking and wanting His wisdom.