Temptation

Temptation

James 1:12-16 Randall Road Baptist

July 13, 1997 Sunday Morning

Monte Brown

Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is approved, he will receive

the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own desires, and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, whine it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16 (NKJ)

Satan is forever busy, enticing people to yield to their fleshly desires. He gives us all the answers to our desires.

Well, after all everyone else is doing it.

Things have changed this isn’t your father and moms world. We have a greater perspective of things than they did.

That’s old fashion.

That’s your interpretation.

I. The Fact of Temptation

1. Its reality: Temptation to evil is universal among men.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to

try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

(KJV) 1 Pet 4:12

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to

man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a

way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV) 1 Cor 10:13

Even Jesus was tempted

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to

succour them that are tempted. (KJV) Heb 2:18

2. Its explanation: The world is hostile to spiritual values

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (KJV) I Jn 5:19

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

(KJV) 2 Cor 4:4

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the

world, even as I am not of the world. (KJV) John 17:14-16

3. Its danger: We must be constantly on the alert

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen. (KJV) Matt 6:13

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is

ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV) Mark 14:38

II. The Nature of Temptation

1. Its origin: All enticement to sin is from Satan.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and

our labour be in vain. (KJV) I Thes 3:5

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (KJV) Matt 4:1

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

(KJV) James 1:13

2. Its appeal: All temptation seduces the flesh.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any

man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all

that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And

the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the

will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) I Jn 2:15-17

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed. (KJV) James 1:14

3. Its end: Tragedy awaits those who yield to temptation.

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him,

saying, Thou also waste with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied

before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when

he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said

unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of

Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the

man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and

said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech

bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I