James 1:13-18 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Understanding Temptation (v. 13) Sayings: “Two great movements in American History, the passing of the buffalo and the passing of the buck.” Will Rogers “The Devil made me do it.” Flip Wilson “God made me this way.” Modern Society

Understanding Temptation (v. 13) We must expect temptation. We must not blame God for temptation.

Understanding Temptation (v. 13) Understanding Ourselves (v. 14-15) In verses 14-15, we see three stages: A) entice, B) entrap, and C) enslave

“With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh “With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh.… It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire, or ambition, or vanity, or desire for revenge, or love of fame and power, or greed for money.… Joy in God is … extinguished in us and we seek all our joy in the creature. At this moment God is quite unreal to us, he loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real; … Satan does not here fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.… The lust thus aroused envelops the mind and will of man in deepest darkness. The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us. The questions present themselves: “Is what the flesh desires really sin in this case?” “Is it really not permitted to me, yes—expected of me, now, here, in my particular situation, to appease desire?” … It is here that everything within me rises up against the Word of God.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Temptation

Question: What is my problem? Answer: I am Question: When do I resist sin? Answer: The moment I feel the desire for it. Question: What does sin bring? Answer: Death

Understanding Temptation (v. 13) Understanding Ourselves (v. 14-15) Understanding God (v. 16-18)

The Word of Truth: Colossians 1:5b-6a, “Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you.”   Ephesians 1:13, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”

Understanding God (v. 16-18) Every good and perfect gift comes from God. God does not change. God brings life.

Question: What is my problem? Answer: I am Question: When do I resist sin? Answer: The moment I feel the desire for it. Question: What does sin bring? Answer: Death Question: What does God give? Answer: Life

You should leave your sin behind. Is that so hard? Well no and yes! Is the ring still in your pocket?