Resisting Temptations
James 1:13-18
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.
13
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and
death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all
sinned (Rom 5:12)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)
III. God Saved Us and Blesses Us (16-18)
“Father of lights” – Hebrew term for “God the Creator”
“no variation or shadow due to change” – God is immutable. God
cannot change!
I. Don’t Blaspheme God for Our Temptations (13)
“God cannot be tempted” > Literal Greek translation: God is
incapable of evil.
God cannot perpetrate evil. God cannot tempt.
12 But
to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he
gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not
of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of
God. (Jn 1:12-13)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your
ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of
escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)
II. We Are Responsible for Our Own Sin (14-15)
Notes:
Our Desire/Lust
(conceives, gives birth to)
Sin (when “fully
grown”/unconfessed brings)
Death (separation from
God)