TOPIC: BE CAREFUL WITH THE BAIT OF SATAN
(3rd of a Series in the Book of James – A Life That Makes a Difference Series)
Text: James 1: 12-18
v. 12, “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trials and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive (the victor’s) crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” – Amplified Version
Introduction:
(ILL. There was once a poor country pastor was furious when he confronted his wife with the receipt for a $250 dress she had bought. "How could you do this!" he exclaimed. "I don’t know," she wailed, "I was standing in the store looking at the dress. Then I found myself trying it on. It was like the Devil was whispering to me, "Gee, you look great in that dress. You should buy it." "Well," the pastor persisted, "You know how to deal with him! Just tell him, "Get behind me, Satan!" "I did," replied his wife, "but then he said "It looks great from back here, too.")
From this part of James 1:12-18 we will discover truth about temptation?
1. The REASON of Temptation (Meaning)
It’s meaning – (Webster TEMPTA’TION, n. The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.) A temptation is also called an enticement or a lure or bait. Temptation is not sin. Temptation is the opportunity to sin. How do we know that temptation is not sin? Because the Bible says that Jesus Himself was tempted, and the Bible is equally clear that Jesus did not sin. So it’s very important that we learn what temptation really is and how it operates. Since we can force no one to do be anything, I contend temptation is the seduction of the will. In the resolve of the mind resides the seeds and plans to do wrong or right. Although we may feel guilty thoughts when we are tempted, the thoughts themselves are not sinful just as receiving an invitation to a party does not equal attending the party itself. An invitation can be refused or go unanswered. Temptation invites us to entertain wrong desires. It cannot force us to attend. These desires when entertained germinate the seeds of wrongdoing. The mind plans what the body carries out, so it is before the action happens that the sin is truly fashioned. As the mind is permitted to desire what is wrong, sin is conceived.
On the other side, the positive meaning or purpose of it. v. 12, “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trials and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive (the victor’s) crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” – Amplified Version. God not only send us to trials and testing but He also allows for us to be tempted and the reason in v. 12 of Amplified Version is clear, so that we may stands up under temptation and then we have been approved. Even Christ experienced it and was able to stand up under different temptation and was approved. I believe that God allows temptation to come upon us not so He can discover something about us. The testing that comes from temptation comes so we can see and know who we are for ourselves. We can know where we stand and we can know to whom we should cling.
2. The RESOURCE of Temptation (Source)
James 1:13-14, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil; nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” The truths here that we see is that, God are not the source of temptation. God is holy, pure, and perfect. Sin is anything but. God allows temptation, but He is not the source. It just doesn’t get any plainer than that. The source of temptation is clearhere, your own evil desires!
Actually there are three main sources of temptation: The Devil, The World and Our self. Sa tagalog tatlong “S”: Satanas, Sanlibutan at Sarili. Being aware of the lure that the devil used is significant to overcome temptation.
There is a lot of bait that the Devil uses to tempt us. In Gen. 3:6 he used the lure of forbidden fruit. In Gen. 13:10-13 regarding Abraham and Lot, he used the lure of fertile fields. In Gen. 25:29-33 he used the lure of appetite. In Jos. 7:21 he used the lure of silver and gold. In I Kings 11:1, 4 about Solomon’s liking for woman, he used the lure of women. In Mk. 10:35-37 about James & John son of Zebedee who wants a place with Jesus in His kingdom, he used the lure of ambitions & popularity, and other more different lures such as lure of bribe, lure of compromise, etc., you know even lure of good accomplishments, lure of promise of good life, lure of luck (ex. deal or no deal), etc. The devil is very good in making set up – example when you go home from hard work, the devil will set it at home to the point that he lure you into his bait.
Here in our text James mention our most formidable (difficult, alarming) foe when it comes to temptation. And that is our own self, our old nature that has evil desires where the devil used to plant seed of temptation. At least when we face the world we can just run away from it, when we face the devil we can just resist it or command it to go, but when our evil desires works, we cannot run from it nor command it to go, we really need to face and fight it!
3. The ROUTE of Temptation (Process)
- The source of temptation is our own evil nature. No more claiming the devil made me do it. ¨ Why? Because he didn’t; you did. You followed your own desires, your own appetites, and your own habits. The devil knows how to play on those, that’s for sure but he doesn’t make you do anything. The choice begins and ends with you. Notice what it says in verse 14: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (ILL. You probably heard about the guy who was trying to lose weight, but came to the office one day with two-dozen donuts. His co-workers asked him why he got donuts if he’s trying to diet, and he answered, Well, as I came to the corner where the donut shop was, I told God that if He wanted me to buy some donuts to have a parking spot open right in front of the donut shop. And on the eighth time around the block, there it was¨).
- Temptation, if not dealt with, leads to sin.
- So recognize patterns of temptation. You may have never thought of this, but temptations many times follow patterns that are tailor-made to the individual. But I think it’s safe to say that there are some times when temptations seem to be particularly vicious (sadistic, inhuman, fierce) - After big spiritual victories, - During hard times, - During times of separation from family or friends
(ILL. Frog in warm to hot water.) Temptation don’t just come it start with either lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh or lust for pleasure and power like what happen to Eve in Garden of Eden. It start with our evil desires because of our drawing away, enticed and lure or baited by his own evil desire. Then this evil desire conceived and gives birth into sin and when full grown already gives birth to death. (IILL. Bird flying on your head.) Resisting temptation that leads to sin is not about being strong as much about not giving way initially to the desires and seeds of wrongdoing. It is always easier to never start than to go backward and depart when it comes to enticement.
That is why Paul said in Ephesians 4:27, “…do not give the devil a foothold.” Satan and the world cannot do anything in us, as long we don’t give in to them but the deceiving agent is our own desires which is evil, part of the old nature. That is why Paul also command us in Colossians 3:1-17 our position with Christ that we have been raised already with Christ and in v. 5 he said, “Put to death, therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust evil desires and greed which is idolatry.” So that this process of temptation stop!
4. The RECOURSE of Temptation (Remedy)
God is not tempted and does not tempt as stated in James 1:13-14, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil; nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” By these verses it seems to me what remains un-surrendered to God within us allows us to be “dragged away and enticed”. These are strong words describe our potential path to self-destruction. Our desires to do wrong lead to our enticement. James 4:7 echoes the importance of surrender to God. It establishes surrender must be achieved to forbear temptation. “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.” We do not resist temptation as a human being who is no match for the supernatural, but we resist by aligning with and submitting to God who is not an equal competitor to Satan but rather all-powerful, Almighty God. v. 16 says, “Do not be deceived…” v. 17, seeing in the eyes of God so that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, devoted to Him and to His Word (ILL. Jesus at the desert tempted by the devil using and claiming the truth rather than the lure of temptation.) v.18 & v. 12 “love HIM!” (ILL. Joseph when tempted vs. when David was tempted). Warning: Do not argue with the devil, if he condemn you of sinning, just agree with Him if it is the truth, only don’t stop there, claim God’s Word and truth I John 1:9. Arguing with the devil is also another way of devils strategy to lure us into his temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says this: So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. From this verse we can see truth we can do to overcome temptations:
1. First, recognize the patterns of temptation (avoid areas of temptation, run away, drop the rope, do not tug with temptation.) Be aware of those things that draw you toward sin. 2. Another way is to develop spiritual habits of prayer, Bible reading, and accountability. 3. Another way to prepare your mind is remind yourself that every temptation is an opportunity. When you choose to obey, you become more like Christ. When you follow the temptation, you become less like Christ. 4. And a fourth way to prepare your mind is to do what Jesus did memorize Scripture so you can use it to defeat the lies of the devil like what Jesus did in the desert when tempted by the devil.
Conclusion:
(ILL: Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ring-tailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it’s simple. They’ve been catching this agile little animal with ease for years. The method the Zulus use is based on knowledge of the animal. Their trap is nothing more than a melon growing on a vine. The seeds of this melon are a favorite of the monkey. Knowing this, the Zulus simply cut a hole in the melon, just large enough for the monkey to insert his hand to reach the seeds inside. The monkey will stick his hand in, grab as many seeds as he can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do. His fist is now larger than the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screech and fight the melon for hours. But he can’t get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he refuses to do. Meanwhile, the Zulus sneak up and nab him. That is how we get caught too.)
We too are being trap and we have only two options to give in on temptation or to Fight. Everyday as long as we are in this body we will encounter temptation, and its up to us how we respond to it. We either submit to it or submit to God. We either draw near to the temptation or draw near to God. We either depend on what we can do or depend on what God can do to and through us. Its either the temptation makes us strong in our faith or gives in and makes us weak. It’s really up to you!
(ILL. The Two Dogs – An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two dogs inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way." "But the other dog, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is hard to live with these two dogs inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." The boy looked intently into his Grandfather’s eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?" The Grandfather solemnly said, "The one I feed." Author Unknown)
I like this analogy - it seems like we Christians have two wolves inside us too, the evil desires of our old nature and the new nature under Christ. But whomever we feed, wins! Which dogs do you feed?
