Christian Life Church
June 21, 2023 - 7pm
The Book of James Part 3
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
The Book of James June 21, 2023
Part Three
Scripture
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
If we are to mature as believers, we must accept temptations as part of the process.
The Usual Process of Temptation
A. Stage One - Desire (v. 14)
Genesis 3:6a
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.”
Desires in itself may not be wrong, but when we want to satisfy a desire in ways that are outside of God’s will we get into sin.
Temptation begins with the potential of the believer’s own desire to satisfy self or God.
B. Stage Two - Deception (v. 14)
Drawn Away carries with it the idea of the baiting of a trap.
Enticed’ carries the idea of baiting a hook.
The enemy will attempt to use things that attract our evil desires in an effort to entice us to sin, while also hiding the consequence(s).
Enticed to sin and dragged away from truth and virtue.
Genesis 3:13b
“The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
C. Disobedience (V. 15)
If a person should receive rather than resist a temptation, desire conceives; and if NOT turned away immediately, it produces sin.
Temptation in and of itself is NOT sinful. It is a part of our experience, as it was the experience of Jesus himself.
Continuing to experience temptation does not imply that you are out of fellowship with the Lord. However, as a believer matures in the faith, the frequency and power of temptation should grow less.
The danger of temptation is it produces sin on the way to death.
Genesis 3:13b
“The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
D. Step Four - Death (v. 15)
It may take days, months or even years for the sin to mature, but when it does, it always results in death.
Death is contrary to what God desires and compatible with what the enemy desires.
“This progression to death is an inevitable result that Satan always tries to hide from us, but we should never be deceived about.” David Guzik
Christian Life Lessons
1. When you experience temptation, remember God is NOT the one tempting you.
○ In fact, he is the one you should turn to for help
2. Deal with your evil desires before they lead to sin and death.
○ In the gospels, Jesus would address the evil desires in the heart of man as sin, and not just the act.
§“You have heard it said…”
3. When we find ourselves entering into temptation, we need to watch and pray.
○ Otherwise, we are vulnerable to deception.
○ “Watch” - give strict attention to, be cautious, active.
§to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.
○ There’s a presence of mind/awareness/alertness that comes from the Spirit of God when we “watch and pray.”
4. Resist the temptation.
○ When you experience temptation, ask the Lord to show you a way out.
○ In the meantime, abstain from sinful desires and stand firm in the faith.
5. If overtaken by temptation and sin, repent and forsake sin, before it is “full-grown.”
Part Three
Scripture
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
If we are to mature as believers, we must accept temptations as part of the process.
The Usual Process of Temptation
A. Stage One - Desire (v. 14)
Genesis 3:6a
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.”
Desires in itself may not be wrong, but when we want to satisfy a desire in ways that are outside of God’s will we get into sin.
Temptation begins with the potential of the believer’s own desire to satisfy self or God.
B. Stage Two - Deception (v. 14)
Drawn Away carries with it the idea of the baiting of a trap.
Enticed’ carries the idea of baiting a hook.
The enemy will attempt to use things that attract our evil desires in an effort to entice us to sin, while also hiding the consequence(s).
Enticed to sin and dragged away from truth and virtue.
Genesis 3:13b
“The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
C. Disobedience (V. 15)
If a person should receive rather than resist a temptation, desire conceives; and if NOT turned away immediately, it produces sin.
Temptation in and of itself is NOT sinful. It is a part of our experience, as it was the experience of Jesus himself.
Continuing to experience temptation does not imply that you are out of fellowship with the Lord. However, as a believer matures in the faith, the frequency and power of temptation should grow less.
The danger of temptation is it produces sin on the way to death.
Genesis 3:13b
“The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
D. Step Four - Death (v. 15)
It may take days, months or even years for the sin to mature, but when it does, it always results in death.
Death is contrary to what God desires and compatible with what the enemy desires.
“This progression to death is an inevitable result that Satan always tries to hide from us, but we should never be deceived about.” David Guzik
Christian Life Lessons
1. When you experience temptation, remember God is NOT the one tempting you.
○ In fact, he is the one you should turn to for help
2. Deal with your evil desires before they lead to sin and death.
○ In the gospels, Jesus would address the evil desires in the heart of man as sin, and not just the act.
§“You have heard it said…”
3. When we find ourselves entering into temptation, we need to watch and pray.
○ Otherwise, we are vulnerable to deception.
○ “Watch” - give strict attention to, be cautious, active.
§to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.
○ There’s a presence of mind/awareness/alertness that comes from the Spirit of God when we “watch and pray.”
4. Resist the temptation.
○ When you experience temptation, ask the Lord to show you a way out.
○ In the meantime, abstain from sinful desires and stand firm in the faith.
5. If overtaken by temptation and sin, repent and forsake sin, before it is “full-grown.”