THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT??
JAMES 1 :2-18
JULY 29, 2001
INTRODUCTION: A Priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the doorbell is just out of his reach. After watching the boy’s efforts for some time, the priest moves closer to the boy’s position. He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child’s shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a ring.
Crouching down to the child’s level, the priest smiles benevolently and asks, “And now what, my little man?”
To which the boy turns and yells; “NOW WE RUN!”
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Our text for this day speaks to us about rethinking reality God’s way. This is the reality of CORRECT THEOLOGY. Often things are not as they appear to be, especially in the economy of God. Our text addresses five areas that are transformed by a correct understanding of God and what He is about concerning our lives. The sad reality of this text is that we often see only the negative and not the positive BLESSING God has for us.
THESIS SENTENCE: Correct Theology teaches us that God is for us always regardless of life situations.
CORRECT THEOLOGY TEACHES...
I. THE TRIALS OF LIFE ARE A BLESSING/ GIFT FROM GOD (vv. 2-4)
The definition of “Trials” here is that of a ship running into a reef. This is not a minor difficulty, this concerns major obstacles!
A. The truth of scripture has always taught, God works through adverse circumstances.
1. The story of Abraham and Isaac is referenced in James 2:21. The outcome was “Righteousness.”
2. Joseph endured great hardship as found in Genesis chapters 37, 39-50. The outcome, The Descendants of Jacob/ Israel were saved as well as all the inhabitants of Egypt and the whole region. Joseph became second in charge of the greatest nation of his day. 3. James also references Job in chapter 5 verse 11. Job lost all, but in the end gained more than he had lost. The outcome was deeper faith and real blessing!
B. The truth of scripture teaches that adverse circumstances develop Character.
1. James shares a trilogy with us: trials lead to testing and testing to perseverance and perseverance to perfection.
2. Perfection is here understood, as it should be throughout all of scripture, as being mature and complete, not lacking anything.
3. The real focus here is on the “LONG SOAK” that marinade that makes the food taste the way it is supposed to. The goal is for us to be the people GOD intended us to be, which means that our focus is always on HIM and considering the Process to be like HIM, PURE JOY!
CORRECT THEOLOGY TEACHES...
II. WISDOM IS A BLESSING/ GIFT FROM GOD (VV. 5-8)
Since we struggle with understanding what it means to be mature and complete, James continues to refine our theology. Correct theology teaches that wisdom is needed to understand God and Wisdom comes from God alone.
A. Wisdom is a matter of belief
1. “BUT when he asks, he must believe...”
2. The scripture is clear, if we lack, we are to ask!!
3. This all comes about with the understanding, that if we ask, HE will give, and not just a little, but “GENEROUSLY” to all, “With out finding Fault!!!” 4. Belief then is a trust in God that He is who He says He is! It is an understanding that God longs for our best and will give it to us as we seek HIS FACE!
ILLUSTRATION: Wisdom is what Solomon asked of the Lord in I Kings 3. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon’s reply was “...Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord’s reply was, “since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for -- both riches and honor -- so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings (VV. 5 -13).”
B. Wisdom is the opposite of unbelief
1. When we ask, we are to not doubt.
2. James illustrates this by a nature metaphor: doubting is like being a wave on the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
ILLUSTRATION: Jesus address this area of asking and doubting as He dictates a letter to the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm -- neither hot nor cold -- I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Rev. 3 15-16).”
3. The sad endnote here is the person who doubts will receive nothing from the LORD.
4. If that isn’t enough, James goes on to say, “You are a double minded person, unstable in all you do!” Now that is a serious rebuke.
5. If wisdom is belief in God, then doubt is unbelief in God.
6. To believe is to be saved, to not believe is to be lost!
CORRECT THEOLOGY TEACHES...
III. RICH AND POOR ARE A BLESSING/ GIFT FROM GOD (VV. 9-12)
A. Poverty or simply not being wealthy/ rich is not a curse from God.
1. James probably remembered Jesus’ words: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matt. 8:20).” 2. Or maybe it was Jesus’ words about not worrying, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6: 25-33).”
3. Whatever the case, James asserts, “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.”
4. James will later say in his letter, “Listen, my d4ear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him (2:5)?”
5. James encourages the poor, and now he will warn the rich.
B. Riches, or having wealth, is not always a good thing.
1. Here, James probably remembers Jesus’ parable of the Rich Fool, “Then He said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.’ And I’ll say to my self, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to Him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. (Luke 12:18-20).”
2. Jesus sends this rebuke to the church in Laodicea, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see (Rev. 3: 17-18).”
3. James had an understanding, But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.”
4. James knew that wealth nor poverty could get you to God, Only faith in Christ can save. So, He pushes on with another admonition to PERSEVER!
C. Regardless of class or financial position, the Key is Perseverance
1. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
2. The bottom line for James was, a. Life is a trial. b. We are tested. c. God rewards those who persevere in times of testing!
CORRECT THEOLOGY TEACHES...
IV. TEMPTATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD
A. “THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!”
1. Since Adam’s excuse in the garden, “The woman YOU put here with me -- she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it,” Humankind has looked for a scapegoat instead of taking responsibility for personal sin.
2. James makes it clear; You can’t blame God or anyone else!! “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (vv. 13).”
3. James complete argument, There is no one ELSE to blame for our sin.
B. “I MADE ME DO IT!”
1. “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”
2. The saddest reality to all of this is the trilogy to follow, “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” 3. James tells a harsh reality here, If you let your “own evil desires” carry you into sin, you will bring death to yourself!
4. YOU CAN’T BLAME ANOTHER SOUL FOR ANY OF YOUR SIN
5. The Apostle Paul puts it this way; “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 (I Corinthians 10: 13).”
6. When we sin, it is no ones fault but OUR OWN! SO, DON’T PLAY THE BLAME GAME. OWN UP TO IT, CONFESS IT, AND LET GOD FORGIVE IT!!
CORRECT THEOLOGY TEACHES...
V. GOD IS GOOD
A. God remains true to His character, regardless of what we do
1. Nehemiah proclaims in the face of Israel’s disobedience, “But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,...”
2. The Psalmist echoes this great truth, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).”
3. Peter continues this theme, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted the LORD IS GOOD (I Peter 2:3).”
B. God gives only GOOD things to those that LOVE HIM!
James teaches us in this text:
1. God gives generously without finding fault (verse 5).
2. God gives the Crown of Life (verse 12).
3. Every Good and Perfect Gift is From God (Verse 17).
4. God gave us birth through His word [HE CHOSE TO! (Verse18)].
5. God only gives what is GOOD, He must, and He does not change like shifting shadows. He is faithful!!
CONCLUSION: What’s your theology telling you?
Ø Hard times are a curse from God.
Ø Wisdom comes from education and age.
Ø Poverty is a curse and wealth is a blessing.
Ø Temptation is something caused by someone else.
Ø God is not really Good.
YOUR THEOLOGY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD
“The Choice” -- E-mail Ministry Author Unknown
