Trials and Temptations: Who¡¦s Responsible?
James 1:12-18
We¡¦ve all heard the old saying that the two certainties in life are death and taxes. As accurate as that might be, I¡¦d like to suggest two more certainties ¡V trials and temptations. As soon as we are mature enough to have some idea of what is going on around us, we begin to feel the power and influence of these two realities.
Since trials and temptations are certainties, we need to understand where they come from and how they operate. In James 1:12-18, James deals with some key issues related to trials and temptations. In these verses, James goes beneath the surface of trials and temptations to demonstrate the inner workings and results of them. In particular, James deals with the issue of the their nature (what are they?) and their result (what do they produce?).
I. Trials test our faith to produce perseverance which results in
blessing (vv. 1-4, 12).
A. A quick refresher course in trials (vv. 1-4).
1. We should be joyful when all kinds of trials
test our faith.
2. We rejoice because trials produce perseverance.
3. Perseverance brings maturity.
B. A final element in the process of trials.
1. Those who persevere through trials are blessed.
This is a beatitude.
a. It refers to the pleasure God takes in such
a person.
b. It refers to the joy such a person receives.
2. The blessing of perseverance is a crown of life.
a. The crown refers to the wreath given to the
victor in the races.
b. This crown is a crown of life. In other words,
the crown is life.
1) Not physical life.
2) Eternal life.
3. This crown is for every believer.
a. All true believers love God.
b. An indicator of that love is perseverance in
the midst of trials.
APP: Surely, this is what Paul had in mind in 2 Cor. 4:16-18 when he said,
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So, with verse 12, James puts the last piece in place regarding trials. The immediate purpose of trials is to produce perseverance. The ultimate result of perseverance is blessing. It is the blessing of eternal life. It is not that we earn eternal life by persevering. Rather, after we have persevered, eternal life awaits us. The promise of life encourages us to persevere. The glory of heaven helps us endure difficulty on earth.
TS ¡V James now shifts the focus from trials to temptations.
II. Temptations assault us to produce sin which results in death
(vv. 13-18).
A. The connection between trial and temptation.
1. The same Greek term is used for both. It is the
word peirasmos.
2. James is indicating to us that temptations always
accompany trials. They are not the same but any
given circumstance can present both a trial and a
temptation.
ILL: Let¡¦s say that a man gets laid off from work. That is a trial. He begins to experience the pressure of needing income. Temptation then uses that same circumstance to lure him into stealing.
Or what about a person whose spouse has grown distant toward them. That is a trial. The person begins to feel the need for some attention and affection. Temptation then uses that same circumstance to lure them into an affair.
The fact that trials and temptations often come together compels James to address the issue of temptation.
B. The temptation to blame God for temptation.
1. Some who are under heavy trials and begin to feel
the power of temptation might blame God for it.
God brings adversity into the lives of His people.
God brought adversity into my life.
In times of adversity, I am tempted.
If I yield to the temptation, it is sin.
Therefore, God must be the source of my temptation.
If I fail, it must be God¡¦s fault because He tempted me.
ILL: We see this same scenario played out in the garden of Eden with the original temptation to sin. After they fell, Adam and Eve both wanted to pin the blame on God. Adam said, ¡§It¡¦s the woman You gave me.¡¨ Eve said, ¡§It¡¦s the serpent¡¦s fault.¡¨
C. The fallacy of blaming God for temptation.
1. James unequivocally warns us against blaming God
for temptation. Let no one say when he is tempted¡K
2. James gives us some proofs why God is never
responsible for temptation.
o The nature of God. God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone. The Greek literally says God is ¡§inexperienced¡¨ in evil. His holy, perfect, sinless nature makes it impossible for Him to be influenced by evil or to influence others with evil.
o The nature of man. The real culprit in temptation is not the temptation without but the traitor within. Note the emphasis on the nature of man in the way James develops the anatomy of temptation.
o Temptation keys on a problem within ourselves. James identifies it as desire. It is the desire of our own hearts. In this context it is clearly speaking of evil desire.
o Temptation, keying on the desire in our hearts, does two things.
„X Drags us away ¡V a hunting term that pictures an animal being lured into a trap by its own instinctual desire for the bait.
„X Entices us. This term is used to describe a fish being lured to the hook by the bait. Temptation lures us and then traps us.
o Note how individually oriented temptation is. James says that ¡§each one¡¨ is tempted when he is dragged away and enticed by ¡§his own¡¨ evil desire. We all have our own individual proclivities and weaknesses that are targeted by the Tempter.
Even as I am saying this, you are probably thinking of your areas of vulnerability right now. You can identify those areas of desire where you are constantly battling temptation. Why is that? Because the tempter is an experienced fisherman. He knows exactly what kind of bait to tie on and throw to awaken the sinful desires in your soul.
o The nature of sin. James now changes metaphors from hunting and fishing to childbirth. He describes sin in terms of the process of childbirth.
o Desire conceives. This is where sin begins. It starts with our desires. We see, hear, taste, or sense something that triggers a desire. We think that the bait that triggered our desire will satisfy our souls. A longing is aroused by a bait.
o Sin is born. When we act upon that desire, sin is born. We take the bait. We indulge the desire.
o Sin grows to maturity and then gives birth to death. The ultimate end of sin is death. This encompasses both physical and spiritual death. Of course, believers will not experience spiritual death. However, physical death may result from sin in believers. The destructive nature of sin is emphasized here.
APP: Where do we start dealing with sin? Not at the end of the process but the beginning. We start by learning to control our desires. We learn to control the emotions that drive those desires. How? By renewing our mind with God¡¦s Word and learning to yield to the Holy Spirit. By developing godly desires. By building up resistance to the baits of the tempter.
You cannot wait until you are in front of your computer screen to start dealing with the temptation of pornography. You cannot wait until you are seated on the bar stool to start dealing with the temptation of alcohol. You cannot wait until you are yelling at your kids to deal with the temptation of rage. You must begin where the process begins ¡V with desires.
ILL: A middle school principal was getting tired of the young girls putting lipstick marks all over the bathroom mirrors. So, one day she invited all the girls into the bathroom to instruct them. She said, ¡§All these lipstick marks are making the work of our custodian very difficult. He has to put a lot of effort into cleaning these mirrors.¡¨ She then asked the custodian to clean the mirror. He took a long-handled brush and dipped it into the toilet and proceeded to clean the mirror with it. The lipstick marks were no longer a problem.
When tempted to sin, if we could only see the real filth we would be kissing, we wouldn¡¦t be near as attracted to it.
TS ¡V Temptations often accompany trials. But don¡¦t blame God for temptation. He doesn¡¦t tempt you. In contrast to the evil temptation seeks to create note what James says next.
III. God gives only good and perfect gifts (vv. 16-18).
A. Don¡¦t be deceived into thinking that God would be the
Mastermind of evil in your life.
B. God gives only good and perfect gifts.
1. In the original, the first term highlights the act of
giving. The second term refers to the gift given.
2. So, every act of giving and every gift given by
God is perfect.
C. God is the unchanging Father of lights.
1. Father of lights refers to God as creator of the
starry host of the universe. The sun, moon, stars,
planets.
2. God does not change. There is no shifting shadow
with Him. He is consistent and constant.
3. The implication is that His gifts are consistently
good and perfect in keeping with His nature.
D. The greatest gift is the new birth.
ILL/APP: Because of the new birth, we are able to deal with temptation and sin. We are new in Christ and have the spiritual weapons to fight against temptation and sin.
Before his conversion, Augustine carried on an illicit affair with a loose woman. After he was saved, he was walking down the street one day and she saw him. She called out to him and he kept walking. She began to run after him but he kept his eyes straight ahead. Finally, she cried out, ¡§Augustine, it is I!¡¨ He replied, ¡§Yes, but it is no longer I.¡¨
Because of the new birth, there is a new ¡§I¡¨ an new person. That new person is able to resist temptation in the power of Christ.
CONCLUSION:
Are you going through a trial right now? Beware of the temptation to sin that will accompany it. Beware of your own desires which the tempter may arouse to lure you into sin. Remember that sin will lead to death and destruction.
Avail yourself of God¡¦s good and perfect gifts. Fill up on them. Set your desire on them. Then you will be in position to respond properly to trials and temptations.
