13. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:13-15 NKJV

Temptation is no respecter of persons Young – Joseph = Gen. 39 Strong – Samson = Judges Rulers – David = II Sam. 11 Common people – Achan = Josh. 7 Christ – Matt. 4:1-11

Temptation never takes a vacation “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8 “Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;” BBE

I. Implication of Temptation Temptation = try, test, solicitation to sin 1.Sin implies a standard Sin = to miss the mark I Jn. 3:4 “Transgression” “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 NKJV

2. Situation Ethics denies a standard “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3 Temptation to sin implies that there Is a standard of right and wrong.

II. Nature of Temptation God is not the author James 1:13 God is wholly removed from evil Man often tries to blame God Gen. 22:1 “tempt” prove, tested

II. Nature of Temptation Sources of Temptation  From Without Matt. 18:7 – “offences” 1 Cor. 15:33 - “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

II. Nature of Temptation Sources of Temptation  From Those we love Matt. 10:36 “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Sometimes parents Sometimes spouse

II. Nature of Temptation Sources of Temptation  From Within James 1:14 “own lust” Urges, desires – right way to satisfy Self control – 1 Cor. 9:27

II. Nature of Temptation How to Handle Temptation  With Information Ps. 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Pornography Dancing Immodesty

II. Nature of Temptation How to Handle Temptation  With Determination Jas. 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Daniel 1:8 “purposed”

II. Nature of Temptation How to Handle Temptation  With Dedication Heb. 1:9 NKJV “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness” Lot was vexed by immorality- 2 Pet.2:7-8 You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it !

II. Nature of Temptation How to Handle Temptation  Watch and Pray Matt. 26:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” Our adversary is never completely defeated.

III. How Sin Develops 1 st Step Desire + Opportunity = Temptation 2 nd Step 3 rd Step Desire+Opportunity+Action = Sin Desire+Opportunity+Action+ No Forgiveness = Punishment

Temptation is always present Matt. 6:13 “deliver us from evil” “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13

No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin. We can say NO to temptation. God does not condemn us for being tempted. But we are responsible for how we react to temptation. Yield not to temptation.

When we sin we can be forgiven ! “1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning August 26, 2007