James 1:13-15
Review: Trials are inevitable.
James uses the same Greek word for “temptation” in v13 as he uses for “trial” in v.2/12. What is the difference?
v13 When tempted, (from the outside) no one should say, “God is tempting me.” (enticing me toward sin)
I. Every trial is a temptation.
- Any change at all in your life is a test.
II. Why trials become temptations. (v. 14,15)
- What is outside (trial) is affected by what’s going on inside. (temptation)
- We tend to confuse the occasion with the cause.
- The occasion is the test, the cause is your own desire.
- You and I only do what we want to do.
III. How we get tempted. (v. 13-15)
- Dragged away by “evil desire” = “over-desire”.
It’s not that we want bad things. It’s that we want things too badly.
- Sin is not just breaking the rules. It’s when something becomes your paramour rather than God.
- Epi-desire is a fatal attraction to something that you love more than God.
- Sin leads to death.
IV. How do we escape?
The only way to break the power of an object on the soul, is to show it an object more beautiful. – Thomas Chalmers
- The answer to temptation is spiritual passion.
- We have a husband: Jesus. (Ephesians 2:25-27)
Consider what he has done for you. Think about who you are to him.
- Hear the song of your true lover.
