Introductory Consideration
From Temptation to Death James 1:12-17
1. "I try so hard not to talk about others, but before I realize it, the words are out of my mouth". "I believe I am a Christian, but I sure wonder when I act theway I do." " I feel like giving up. I just cannot overcome the evil thoughts that I have."
2. One of the biggest and deepest struggles that most Christians have is that of dealing with temptation and the sin that so easily follows. The word of God is clear and simple. His promises are there. All we need to do is submit to God and let Him control our lives.
3. And yet it is not so simple. There seems to be no easy way out. The problem is of course, our sinful nature, that hangs around and won’t let go. And there is Satan who looks for every opportunity he can to lead us astray.
4. It all seems so complicated and hopeless.
5. Tonight I share with you a way to uncomplicate this matter - a formula which will help understand how temptation works in our lives, how to overcome and God’s resources which are available to every believer.
6. And while the struggle will still be there, it helps us to develop a battle plan that we can use to obtain victories.
Teaching
1. Our focus will be on verse 14 and 15. We will see the four stages of how temptation leads to death.
2. The first stage includes two ingredients.
a. One is our evil desire. This desire can be so inactive or hidden that we do not even know that it is there until it rears its ugly head.
i. Even though we are Christians, we still struggle with sin. We still have evil desires. These can be pride, bitterness, anger, envy. Gal. 5:16-17 talks about the desires of the sinful nature.
ii. What these desires want is contarry to the Spirit, to God and His will for us.
b. The second ingredient is opportunity.
i. These are the things that entice us. As we go through life we meet opportunities to sin.
ii. Can be something tangible like a bottle, a TV show, a bag of chips.
iii.Can be circumstances - someone cuts us off on the 401 Highway.
iv. Can be words that are spoken to us.
c. Something happens when these two ingredients get together. Like a powerful nuclear reaction. In fact does more damage than any nuclear reaction can.
3. When our desire is combined with an opportunity we have the second stage which is temptation.
a. I have a picture of me in Holland - three years old. Our family is sitting around table - parents, two sisters and me. Everyone is loooking to the camera, well, everyone but me. On top of table is a plate of cookies and my eyes are on the cookies. I didn’t care about the picture - just the cookies. Here was my desire for sweet stuff and the opportunity was there before me. I can see on my face that I was being tempted.
b. Satan knows that is how temptation works. When he tempted Christ he provided opportunities to Christ to fulfill human sinful desires.
c. vs. 15 defines temptation as desire that has conceived.
d. Remember - temptation is not sin.
4. Brings us to next satge. When temptation is acted upon then we sin.
a. If I had of reached for cookie when told not to, I would have sinned. Vs. 15 says that temptation gives birth to sin.
b. Sin is doing that which is contrary to the word or will of God.
c. Some might say that once we have sinned we might as well give up. We’ve blown it any way.
5. But as we said last week - sin can grow until it is full grown.
a. That is when we live a life of sin. When we live a life of sin and we stop fighting it and stop asking God to help us and forgive us.
6. And then the final stage - death. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death.
7. You will notice that this process is been compared to the life cycle of a human being. As a man and woman come together to conceive so does desire and temptation. As that unborn, conceived child is born so is sin. And as we grow and become full-grown, so does sin. And as we die so those sins lead to that very death. The cycle is very natural just as sin is natural to fallen man.
8. And so there may seem to be no way out.
9. But as we will now see we can deal with this cycle at most of these stages through that which God has provided for us.
10. God has provided for us to deal with our desires. The desires we have are to change as we grow mature as Christians.
a. Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
b. Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
c. How does God enable us to change our desires? Psa 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
d. We want to thank God by living holy lives as we think of what He has done for us.
e. Psa 116:12-4 - How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
f. We hate sin more. Psa 119:104 - I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
g. We focus on the good. Phil 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
h. The more we are into the word, the less likely we are to sin.
11. The 2nd ingredient is opportunity. Godf also helps us deal with this.
a. Mat 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
b. Mat 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
c. Ask God to keep you from temptation.
d. And we are to avoid:
i. Situations and people. Psa 101:3-7 - I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house;
ii. When we do jail ministry, Herb always encourages inmates, when they are released, not to associate with friends who are into wrong activities - bad friends. 1 Cor 15:33 - Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
12. And then, God still provides for us when we are tempted. We must exercise self-control and this is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
a. When we are tempted we must learn to be disciplined.
b. As we saw when we looked at fruit of the Holy Spirit, this means to controlled by Holy Spirit. Not trying to fight on own strength, but to yield slef and self-attempts and say "God, I need you". Get self out of way - be filled with Spirit.
i. Phil 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Trusting in God rather than in self.
13. And then, when we sin we need to remember that as Christians, we are forgiven. We must not give up. Rather to bring sin before God and not ask forgiveness and victory.
14. We must not let sin overtake us and become full-grown. To remember that sin is a battle but God has already won victory
a. 1 John 2:1-2 - My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours.
b. But we must confess - not every detail - if miss one - still forgiven. But to acknowledge need for Christ’- to be aware of sin.
15. And if sin full grown, need to repent and seek forgiveness. This is evidence that never really repented. Ask God to become your God and put trust in Him.
16. Friends - temptation is a struggle. It leads to sin and death. But at each step God provides for victory.
17. May we experience victory andf become mature - growing into the fullness of Christ.
