Living the Christian Life
Temptation!!!!
James 1:1-20
I hate temptation. I hate it when it comes my way. It may be temptation to blow up on someone. It may temptation of saying something that I should not say, doing something that I should not do. However, temptation comes my way, every day in some sort or fashion. Yielding to temptation is a choice that I make and you make. We reap consequences when we yield and fall in to Satan’s traps. We reap benefits when we follow God’s word to the tee and avoid temptation. This morning, we begin a study of the book of James, a series entitled “Living the Christian Life.” We have seen many souls saved over the past few months. It is now time that we begin the process of discipling our converts and reach more for the kingdom. How are going to handle temptation from the Devil? Let’s dig in!
TEXT
I. Count it Joy when you are tempted!
a. As a believer, you should be joyful when you are tempted to sin, it is a sure sign that you are God’s!
b. As a believer, if we have a sad disposition all of the time, we will be vulnerable to the actions of the devil.
c. Trials and Tribulations will come your way. They will be of various types. No one person is able to avoid these things.
d. Everything works together to help shape us and mold us into what God wants us to be.
Remember Job, he suffered everything imaginable to any human being. Although he suffered, lost family members, and went through these things – his faith remained in God.
Job 1:21
The Lord giveth and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.
He realized who was in control and in charge. This is further emphasized in Job 42 where Job says:
Job 42:2
I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from thee.
e. If Job can make it, you and I can
II. When tempted, Be Patient!
a. The key to defeating the devil, is not to fall into his traps.
b. Temptations come our way to make us stronger. We cannot be strong in our own devises. We must depend on God. There are reasons that the Word tells us that we should be patient in the trying of our faith.
i. Romans 5:3-4
1. But we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.
c. Notice in verse 4 – “Perfect patience”
i. Hebrews 10:36
1. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
d. Commentaries state that perfect patience is only achieved after enduring the trials that have been put in front of us. In addition, after we have gone through the tribulations, God has transformed us into a “complete” Christian.
i. After thinking about that for a few minutes, it makes sense.
ii. Being a Christian is not easy! We must endure all types of criticsm, all types of threats, all types of garbage – Why?
1. Because God Loves Us and We Love Him.
2. At this point and only at this point – we make our commitment to walk for Him no matter the obstacle. Perfect patience is achieved at this point in time.
3. Verse 12!!!!!
III. Get into the Word of God!
a. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God!
b. Isaiah 40:8
i. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever!
c. His word will stand the test of time.
d. Go to His word, read, study, apply it to your life.
e. Not only will you receive help, you will be transformed into being all that God wants you to be.
i. For many years, I left the apply part off. Yes, I was a Christian, but not one who was being firm in the Word. I was as the wavering man in verse 6-8. If one person wanted to hear one thing, I told them it – if another wanted to hear the opposite, I told them that. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this would do nothing but get you into a pickle.
ii. A person is to be firm in their beliefs.
iii. A person is to be firm in their word
1. A yes must be a yes. A no must be a no. There is no in between.
2. All decisions must be carried to the Lord in prayer – there are no in betweens. He is in control, we are not.
3. When a decision is made, stick with it – don’t waver.
f. By knowing the word of God, you know what Christ was like and His recommendations for our life!
i. We are to be joyful, loving, peaceful, patient, gentle, good hearted, faithful to Him, meek, even tempered.
ii. We are to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
g. I must be honest with you, I have heard many sermons in my life. Most of which, I can tell you little about. Many people have heard the word of God, but few actually apply it. Until I got into the word, my life didn’t fully change. When I got hungry for God’s moving in my life, I got into the life-changing power of His word.
How do you avoid temptation? You don’t. It’ll be there every step of the way. It’s actually worse for an non-Christian. They don’t have an arsenal to say no with. They don’t realize that there is a protector that is ready to help them survive this crazy world.
Can I endure temptation? You can.
Give your life to Jesus Christ, totally, not a wavering commitment, but a solid, firm commitment of your life.
Trust Jesus to help you get through each and every trial of every day.
Trust God’s word to help give you the road map to successful living.
Trust an accountability partner to share your trials with. I guarantee you that you’re not by yourself. Not only will you be strengthened, but their faith will also grow stronger.
“I must tell Jesus all of my trials. He is a kind compassionate friend. In my distress He kindly will help me, make of my troubles quickly an end. I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus, I can not bear my burdens alone, I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus, Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”
Have you given your life to Christ – only He can save you – only He can help you
– Only Jesus
