Pure Through Temptation Faith at Work: Pure Through Temptation

James 1:12-15 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Temptation, in this passage, is a bit different from what we saw in James 1:2-4. In the earlier passage, temptation referred to testing, proving, validating Here, temptation refers to enticement to do evil.

James tells us that God not only cannot be tempted to do evil, neither does He personally tempt anyone to do evil. So, if God does not tempt us to do evil, where does evil come from?

Does that mean God did not create evil Does that mean God did not create evil? If not, there is another god out there creating things—God has competition! If God did create evil, He cannot be a good God, right?

Genesis 2:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." In the beginning, evil existed but Adam did not know the difference between good and evil.

Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. This passage indicates that God created evil—but how and why? An Old Testament passage may help.

Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it." 8 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless

and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."

12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.

Satan attempted to get God to bring tragedy on Job so that he would curse God. Notice that God did not personally attack Job. He did, however, give Satan permission to tempt Job. God gave Satan specific guidelines as to what he could and could not do to Job.

Temptation is a seed planted which can lead to lust, an unnatural love for something. Lust grows like a weed into sin. Sin, when mature, leads to death.

2 Samuel 11:1-27 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. 2 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.

James 1:12-15 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Let us persevere, endure through our temptations, as we learned in verses 2-4. Our endurance leads to approval before God. Have you noticed the words God will declare over us? “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (see Matt. 25:21) Then He will present us with the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer Revelation 2:10 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Pure Through Temptation Faith at Work: Pure Through Temptation