(EARLY IN THE SERVICE)
I need all children, ages 4 through 10 who like marshmallows to come up here.
Okay kids. This is the deal. I have a marshmallow for you. And I’m going to ask you to take this back to your seat, and hold on to it for a little while. Now, if you can hold on to this marshmallow without eating it, later on in the service you will get a second marshmallow.
Or, you can eat this one right away. Okay?
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(PRIOR TO THE MESSAGE)
Before we dismiss the children for children’s church, I need to know if I have any of the kids age 4 through 10 who have held on to their marshmallow, and would like another one. If so, come up with your first marshmallow, and I’ll give you a second one. Anyone?
What we’ve just seen illustrated an actual experiment that was conducted at Stanford University in the 1970s. They used pre-schoolers in that experiment, and they had to wait 15 minutes to get the second marshmallow.
The experiment at Stanford was designed to investigate the power of temptation. Preschoolers were left alone with instructions that they could eat one marshmallow right away, or wait 15 minutes and get two marshmallows.
Some went for the immediate payoff; others held back, distracting themselves from the puffy white treat by singing, trying to sleep or covering their eyes. A decade later, researchers tracked down the children and, according to news reports, found that those who had waited for the second marshmallow were smarter and more self-confident.
And what this research made clear, lines up closely with what the Word of God teaches. There’s a real benefit to the ability to resist temptation... especially in the realm of sin. Delayed gratification serves a real purpose in the Kingdom of God. Waiting for the second marshmallow is a skill worth developing, worth cultivating by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So today we are going to look at the issue of temptation here in big church, but first we are going to dismiss our children, ages 2 through 7 for children’s church. While they are leaving, take out your Bibles, and turn to the book of James.
James 1:12 (read verse 12). Remember last week we talked about these two different perspectives to take in regards to the temptation of money. The same is true for all temptations. There is an earthly perspective, which says that I am blessed when I endure temptation because as James writes in the beginning of chapter one, it leads to my holiness, my ability to live more Christ like. But James once again gives us that eternal perspective (read verse 12b).
Verse 13 (read through verse 15). Now, I want to stop there a second, and see a show of hands. If somewhere in that passage, verses 12 through 15, your Bible that you are looking at, the translation you are using, utilizes the word “test”, raise your hand. Okay, keep your hand up. . .how about the word, “trial”? Keep your hands up. Does anyone’s Bible have the word “tribulations” in that passage? Look at all those hands.
Now, remember back to week one of our study. We looked at the first few verses of James, and saw utilization of the words trials, and testing. But we talked about how James really used the same word throughout that segment, and it was the word for temptation.
Well, that word is back again. Peirasmos. That is the word that is used over, and over again throughout today’s passage and it refers to temptations. That is important. Again, as we go through this study, we don’t want to confuse temptations with the idea of trails, testing, experiences that can come from all kinds of different sources. What James is referring to throughout this passage are temptations. In fact, he uses some form of that word, temptation, six different times in just these few verses.
Why is that important? Why do I keep nit-picking about the use of that word? It is because that root word peiraso, temptation, carries with it this idea of an enticement to sin. That is important if you are going to fully understand the rest of what James is writing about here. He is saying, “Blessed is the man who endures those enticements, those lurings to commit a sin.” He is saying, “Let no one say when he is enticed to sin that he is being enticed by God. For God can not be enticed to sin by evil, nor does He entice anyone to sin.”
And then this is really interesting, despite utilizing this language of an enticement to sin that is often the same language utilized for the acts of Satan in the New Testament, that isn’t where James goes with it. He doesn’t go on to say that “God doesn’t entice you to sin, it is Satan that does it.” No, look at what He says. He says you are enticed to sin when you are drawn away by your own desires.
Any hunters or fisherman here today? Hunters and fishers raise your hands. You can follow what James is saying here, because that is the type of language he utilizes. This “drawn away” is like a fishing lure. Or like setting out corn for a deer. It is that attractive appearance that pulls us into a dangerous situation. But James doesn’t attribute that attractive pull to Satan. No, he says those are your desires. You are the one that has these thoughts, these wants, and these lures in your mind that are pulling you into these dangerous situations and enticing you to sin.
One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is trying to overcome temptations. And it can be very discouraging at times. We have it tough. It is not easy being us! I don’t know about you, but I can get so frustrated knowing that my sins are forgiven, only to succumb over and over again to temptation.
But James gives us some advice regarding temptation today. First, he gives us a caution.
I. THE CAUTION
He begins by saying, don’t say when you are tempted that it is by God. That is a typical blame game we like to play. But look at what James says (read verse 13). You see, if we understand the word of God, we have a responsibility to understand that it is not God’s fault that we are tempted. God is holy. He cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone to sin. In fact, if you want to know what God’s role is in temptation, turn back a few books in your Bible to I Corinthians 10. I Corinthians 10:13 (read).
So Paul writes like James that you will experience temptation, but the role God plays is not the role of the tempter. Contrary to that, God plays the role of the escape provider. He is the one that provides the means, the strength, and the way of escape from the temptation.
James wants you to understand that role of God in your life, so he goes on to write verse 16 (read through verse 18). That is what comes from God. Not evil. Not temptation, but every good and perfect gift. Notice the words James uses. He says there is no variation or shadow of turning. You see, God isn’t like us.
How many of you have known someone? Really knew them well, or so you thought. And then they did something and you said these words, “That is so unlike them.” Ever said that?
I came across two news articles in recent days like this. First, there is the runaway bride. Everyone familiar with her story by now. Called 911, suggested that she had been kidnapped. Then recanted, and the story seemed to suggest cold feet. Then maybe some psychological difficulties. And then this week it was revealed that this wasn’t her first run-in with the law. But that she had been taken in at least three different times earlier in her life on shoplifting charges, including taking a stash of more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from one store.
Well, even if she is this sweet, and wonderful young woman. There is a shadow of turning with her. There is a variation. People are saying “It isn’t like her”, but it is because she is human.
I was reading a second story in the paper over the past week or two involving a young man that had killed some people in cold blood. Just gunned them down. And the quotes from the mom were, “That isn’t my son. He is a sweet boy. He doesn’t have a violent bone in his body. That just isn’t like him.” That mom thought she knew her son. But within him was variation, a shadow of turning.
That isn’t how it is with God. We know that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from Him. He does not tempt us. He does not attempt to entice us to sin. Why? Because there is no variation to Him. There isn’t this shadow of turning that does good for His children, and then turns on them by trying to make them stumble and fall. Rather, James writes (re-read verse 18).
A first fruits. Of everything God created. All the plants, all the animals, everything. It is God’s desire that we be the first fruits of His efforts. He wants us to be the best. The cream of the crop. So why would He want to make us stumble? It just wouldn’t make sense.
When you are tempted, and you will be, don’t blame God. Now, we live in a society of low accountability, so some of you are probably already asking in your heads, then who can I blame?
Well, along with the caution, you need the understanding. . .
II. THE UNDERSTANDING
Verse 14 (re-read verses 14-15). This really comes down to simple math. Break it down to the least common denominators and formula.
Step #1 – Temptation
And temptation involves two things according to James. First, he talks about our own desires. Being drawn away by those desires. But that is really probably putting it too lightly in our English translations. Because the word that James uses there for our own desires is really lust. And that is important.
To desire something is not inherently bad, but contrary to what or society will tell you, to lust for something is. I can desire to know my wife more personally. I can desire to live a Godly life. I can desire to see people won to Christ. I can desire another Kentucky National Championship or a Green Bay Packer’s Super Bowl victory. To desire something is potentially an okay thing.
That is not the case with lust. From a Biblical standpoint, from a Biblical definition of this word lust, there is no good side to it. Because within the definition of lust is a craving, a longing for something that is forbidden. Something that God does not want you to participate in.
And that is the first thing that James says temptation involves. It involves that longing, that craving for something that you should not have. Something that God would not want you to take part in. But that is just the first element James says. The second one he indicates is enticement. (re-read verse 14).
Enticement. This is the bait. This is the lure. This is the corn at the deer stand. So you have this longing for something forbidden, and then you have the bait to it. That is temptation.
So, for example, a small boy is tempted to eat a cookie. . .which in itself could simply be desire. . .but it becomes lust because he was told not to eat it. And he is tempted when he senses that lust, combined with the enticement, the chance to grab the bait. That is his temptation.
There is an old saying that goes “Opportunity knocks once, but temptation beats on the door everyday.” What a true statement, for we live our lives constantly surrounded by temptations. There is no place on earth that we are able to go and escape temptations.
Let me give you a more intense example. Did you know that some of the best business minds in the country are working really hard to get men, husbands, sons hooked on pornography? Some have called it - The Mainstreaming of Pornography. Listen to these facts:
* Sales of sexual films in hotel rooms, homes, and online has become a $10 billion industry.
* General Motors, the world’s largest company, now sells more graphic sex films through its DirecTV subsidiary than does Hustler pornographer Larry Flynt.
* Records from the company EchoStar Communications Corp., the No. 2 satellite provider, indicate that they make more money selling sex films than Playboy does with its magazines, cable, and Internet businesses.
The sex business in America is estimated to be a $13 billion-a-year industry. It is estimated that 60% of all web sites are pornographic and that in 2002 Americans spent $220 million at fee-based adult web sites. By the end of this year, the amount is expected to reach $320 million.
But listen to this. James talks about being enticed. There are now countless free sites that are designed to get you hooked to become a paying customer. A popular Christian book refers to this issue as “Every Man’s Battle”. And 90% of born-again male Christians have said that they have had problems in relating to God or to other people because of shame and guilt over pornography.
James says that is Step #1 – Temptation. When the lusts, the cravings for something forbidden, meet up with the enticement, the bait.
But before we go on, I want to make something very clear. Temptation in and of itself is not sin.
Jesus was tempted. And it says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus experienced temptation. He experienced those times when the lusts of the flesh, the pulling to do something forbidden by God met with the enticement, the bait, and He was tempted to sin. But that point of temptation in and of itself is not sin.
Look at what James has already said: Verse 2, “Count it all joy when you fall into various temptations.” Verse 12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation.” Temptation is a part of life, but it is not sin. Sin comes in the next step…
Step #2 – The Act
You see, James gives us this mathematical formula. And in this formula lust plus enticement equals temptation, but it doesn’t equal sin. However, when you add action to the formula. When the formula becomes Lust + Enticement + Action, that equals sin.
Here James goes into this pregnancy language. But again our English understanding of this falls so short of what he is trying to say. Look again at verse 15 (read). You get this picture of conception, and then the birth of sin, and then this baby of sin growing into a full blown adult that results in a life of sin, which is no life at all. . .but death. It all starts with that word “conceived”. But again, that really doesn’t capture what he is saying.
When you get to the heart of the word James uses there, it carries this meaning of seizing. Taking hold of. It is prisoner language. So really what he is writing is that when lust has taken hold of you. When it has made you a prisoner. It has this hostile connotation to it. When you have been made a slave, a captive to your lust, sin sets in.
It can start so easily. Such a simple, momentary decision and act. There was a poll of 5,000 children between fourth and twelfth grade in public and private schools. And the poll revealed that sixty-five percent of America’s high school students say that they would cheat on an important exam. Fifty-three percent of them said that they would lie to protect a friend who vandalizes school property. The lust and enticement leads to an act. It seizes you. Takes hold of you, and sin sets in.
And regrettably, that leads to. . .
Step #3 – Death
Romans 6:23 says it like this, “For the wages of sin is death.”
And again, keep in mind our two perspectives. You have the earthly perspective. Sin gives way to spiritual death. You may be alive in body, alive physically. . .but you are dead. And if you have ever really had the chance to talk with someone who is captive to sin. Who is a slave to their lusts, and can’t stay away from the bait. No matter how macho they may act on the outside. If you have ever really had the chance to look into their eyes, to plumb the depths of their soul, you will see a dead person. Like they would shout on death row, we are surrounded by people that due to their inability to stay out of sin are just dead men walking.
And of course, there is the eternal perspective. Revelation 21:8 describes it like this, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Ultimately such death, such behavior, such captivity to our lusts for the forbidden, involves eternal punishment. And do you see the grouping of people that John writes about in Revelation? Not just the murderers. Not just the sexual perverts. Not just those who participate in sorcery or idolatry. But the cowardly. The unbelieving. Those people James talks about earlier in verse one, and describes as double minded, and unstable. That is what awaits them.
So if temptations are not from God. If I have to accept accountability for the fact that sin comes about through these lusts within me, these trappings of the bait that surrounds me, these thoughts and wrongful desires that give way to sin. What can I do about it?
III. THE VICTORY
Well, start at the beginning.
Step #1 – Change your desires
Since that is where sin begins, it is the best place to start. This is what Paul refers to as the renewing of your mind in Romans 12. Change those things that you desire. Eliminate those forbidden things that you lust for. Begin a spiritual journey of growing, and pushing aside those areas that can so easily ensnare your life.
Galatians 5:24 says, ‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Did you see that? Living in the Spirit doesn’t always mean walking in the Spirit. Many charismatic bodies have had to struggle with this reality. How many times have we seen that in our generations. Jimmy Swaggert. The Bakers. Living in the Spirit doesn’t mean you walk in the Spirit. Not until you change your desires to match that of the Spirit.
How do you do that? It is so simple that most of us want something more complex. Get in the Word. That is how Jesus fought off temptation. That is where you will find the teaching, and training of the desires that God wants you to have. Match your desires by learning His desires. Getting to know them inside and out.
But it takes more than changing your desires. Remember, sin comes about through both those wrongful lusts, those desires, and the bait. The lure. The opportunity. So you need to take. . .
Step #2 – Limit your opportunities
We pray it in the Lord ’s Prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Now, if God does not tempt us, then why pray, “Lead us not into temptation”?
This is a prayer for the child-like heart. Imagine a father and son walking down an icy street. The father cautions the boy to be careful, but the boy is too excited to slow down. He hits the first patch of ice. Up go the feet and down plops the bottom. Dad comes along and helps him to his feet. The boy apologizes for disregarding the warning and then, tightly holding his father’s big hand, he asks, “Keep me from the slippery spots. Don’t let me fall again.”
That is what we are praying to God. Limit my opportunities to sin. Keep me from those places of temptation. God so desires to do that. Listen to Psalm 37, “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
That needs to be our petition. A tender request of a child to a father. The last few slips have taught us — the walk is too treacherous to make alone. So we place our small hand in his large one and say, “Please, Abba, keep me from evil.”
Limit your opportunities. William Baur writes, “Don’t fall into the ditch and cry to God to help you get out; keep away from the ditch.” Some of you are flirting daily with the ditch. Giving yourself the opportunity to walk by the bait. Testing your resolve to fight off the lusts. Don’t do it. Get away from the ditch.
Step #3 – Exercise self-control
I have been harping on this idea of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all year long, and He is so instrumental to this step. Turn over quickly to Ephesians 3. Ephesians 3:14 (read through verse 19). Did you see that in verse 16 (re-read). It is through the Holy Spirit that your inner man is strengthened. That you gain self-control, and the ability to fight off temptation.
Romans 8:12-13 says it like this, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Sometimes children understand this better than adults. They don’t even imagine that the Devil would be the one to force them to do something. They figure they have their own choice, their own accountability. Upon leaving church one morning, a Pastor asked a 4 year old boy, “Does the Devil ever tell you to do bad things?” He replied, “Yes, but Jesus tells him to shut up!”
Exercise self-control. How do you kill off these desires? How do you build up your self-control? By the working, the power, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Step #4 – Obtain forgiveness
You see, Satan isn’t victorious when we sin. Here this out. This is so important. We have put far too many Christians on this treadmill of failure in their walk. Every time a person sins we act like that is the death of them. They have fallen into the arms of Satan. They are under the full control and power of the evil won. Satan has the victory. God is taking is gigantic eraser and they are out of the book of life.
That isn’t how it works. Sin is not in and of itself death. David sinned. Noah sinned. Abraham sinned. Every single human being to every walk the face of this planet, other than Jesus, has sinned. That isn’t the victory for Satan.
No, Satan can only be victorious when our sin results in death. If we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ for our sins, we avoid the punishment of death, and Satan loses.
You see, Satan is often like the bragging athlete. The taunter that is talking trash when his team is ahead at halftime. Like the Seattle Mariners fan on Wednesday that after the top of the 1st was taunting the Yankee fans because they were ahead 5-0. After just half an inning. Of course, the Yankees scored 5 in the bottom of the inning and won the game 13-9.
The game of life is not over when you sin. Don’t live in that prison. Your momentary failure is not Satan’s victory. Check this out with me. Just a few books back towards the end of your Bible from James you will find 1 John. Turn there with me. Last verse for today. This is good stuff. I John 2:1 (read through verse 2).
He says, “I don’t want you to sin. But if you do, Christ is truly our propitiation for our sins.” Fancy word for the appeasement. The price. God knew you would sin. He knew I would sin. That doesn’t mean we rejoice in our sins, but it also doesn’t mean we see our sin as death. It is only death if we do not apply the blood of the Lamb. And if we do. . .then Satan is defeated.
So where are you at today? Do you need step #4? Do you need to be forgiven, and allow Christ’s blood to wash you white as snow? You can be free today. Do you struggling with temptation? Being enticed by the bait? You can be free today. Let’s pray.
(This message is largely a Sermon Central team effort. A great deal of the credit for the outline flow, and illustrations come from a number of other contributors reflections and working in the book of Jaems.)
