James on Temptation

January 9, 2011
James 1: 12-18

Intro
First Sunday of the church season of Epiphany. Epiphany is the celebration of Jesus being made known as our Savior.
To celebrate Epiphany we are taking a look at the book of James. Written by the brother of Jesus, it is packed full of biblical references, encouragement, and applicable faith lessons.

Last week we talked about finding joy in trials, not happiness, joy and how we must persevere through trials and seek God’s help and wisdom throughout them.

This week we continue our study with James encouraging us to fight temptation. Let’s take a look.

James 1
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under temptation because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Again, James presupposes a condition, this time for temptation. He knows we all face temptation, daily. I like this saying-Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. So if we are going to face, then we need to learn how to deal with it.

The first is to recognize how big of an impact temptation has on our spiritual life.

Did you notice the next to last word? Love. So what is temptation related to? Our relationship with God, our love for God. When we are tempted it is essentially a test of our love for God. Kind of puts things in perspective doesn’t it? When you realize that every time we face temptation it’s a test of which one do you love more? The sin or God?

And thee scripture promises that if we stand up to the temptation we receive the Crown of life. This is best illustrated through another clip from Rudy.

I thought after last week I would share another clip, this time the result of him not quitting. This is the outcome of one who perseveres under temptation and he receives his prize. Granted our prize is different and much greater, but you get the idea.

Show Video Clip Here

If we can get that feeling from a movie, imagine what our spiritual life gains when we stand up to temptation.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

When we become a Christian we can wonder why we still have temptations. Does God tempt us? No, of course not. God may test us, but does not tempt us by trying to seduce us into sin. God allows Satan to tempt us, however, as indicated in the previous section to refine our faith and to help us grow in our dependence on Christ.

Another way we can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey God’s Word.

After all, when is it easier to stop a car-when it’s going 2 mph or 70mph? The same with sin. It is much easier to stop it when it first starts.
Sin is not the initial thought-that’s temptation-giving in has more to do with dwelling on the temptation, considering it pleasing, and following through with the action. Let go of the temptation-the sooner the better and easier.

Because temptation is like a predator and the scripture indicates this. The words dragged away and enticed were commonly used to describe hunting methods. They metaphorically describe how evil desires operate. We are the prey for sin and temptation is the bait. Learn to recognize when you are being baited and ignore it.

Let me just take a quick moment to say that temptation is not always from the devil, most of the time yes, but there are times when we need to quit blaming the devil for the problems we created and take some respsonsibility…sometimes it’s the consequences of our choices and not the devil. If I get around late for an appointment and I’m tempted to speed and run red lights-whose fault is that?

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

As a reference to the lunar cycle to show how God does not change, we know that from the early exploits of God’s people until now, God hates sin.

When we think about ourselves, many of us tend to think we are basically good. But, when it comes down to it, there is a reason that hell is a real place where millions will suffer eternally separated from God, God’s goodness, and God’s presence.

In dealing with sin, God deals with the sinner because the problem isn't all of the sin "out there", but the sin "in here." God dealt with our sin through Jesus on the cross. Though Jesus himself had never sinned, He did take our sin upon himself and bore God's wrath against sin.

We all sin and are rebellious toward God. In fact, Jesus taught that from our hearts comes every evil we see play out on this earth. Whether sins of commission, or sins of omission, we are guilty with sin, and we become skilled in deceit and pride-learning better ways to hide our sin and make excuses for what we do. How true then is Jesus' statement to Nicodemus, "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God?" Be humble today, remembering that we are not saved because of our church attendance or innate goodness, but because of Jesus' imputed righteousness as we have been resurrected to new life. That’s the good news-that when we give in to temptation we are forgiven, Jesus’ death is what allows us to receive the crown of life. But we want to cut off sin early.

When you are tempted, recognize it early, remember that it’s about your love and relationship with God, and think of the new life you've received through Jesus.