Temptation
James 1:12-16 Randall Road Baptist
July 13, 1997 Sunday Morning
Monte Brown
Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is approved, he will receive
the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to those who love him. 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. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own desires, and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, whine it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16 (NKJ)
Satan is forever busy, enticing people to yield to their fleshly desires. He gives us all the answers to our desires.
Well, after all everyone else is doing it.
Things have changed this isn’t your father and moms world. We have a greater perspective of things than they did.
That’s old fashion.
That’s your interpretation.
I. The Fact of Temptation
1. Its reality: Temptation to evil is universal among men.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(KJV) 1 Pet 4:12
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. (KJV) 1 Cor 10:13
Even Jesus was tempted
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted. (KJV) Heb 2:18
2. Its explanation: The world is hostile to spiritual values
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (KJV) I Jn 5:19
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(KJV) 2 Cor 4:4
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. (KJV) John 17:14-16
3. Its danger: We must be constantly on the alert
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen. (KJV) Matt 6:13
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is
ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV) Mark 14:38
II. The Nature of Temptation
1. Its origin: All enticement to sin is from Satan.
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and
our labour be in vain. (KJV) I Thes 3:5
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (KJV) Matt 4:1
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
(KJV) James 1:13
2. Its appeal: All temptation seduces the flesh.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And
the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) I Jn 2:15-17
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed. (KJV) James 1:14
3. Its end: Tragedy awaits those who yield to temptation.
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him,
saying, Thou also waste with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied
before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when
he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said
unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of
Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the
man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and
said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech
bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I
know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter
remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the
cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept
bitterly. (KJV) Matt 26:69-75
III. The Help in Temptation
1. Resolved: Determine to advance that you will not yield
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he
drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself. (KJV) Dan 1:8
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say,
Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the
innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the
grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall
find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk
not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in
vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait
for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
(KJV) Prov 1:10-18
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(KJV) Rom 6:11
2. Resist: Deal with the first impulse before an action results
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. (KJV) James 4:7
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
(KJV) 1 Pet 5:8-9
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(KJV) Eph 6:13
3. Rely: Trust God for deliverance and look for His help
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. (KJV) 1 Cor 10:13
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,
and to reserve the unjust unto the day (KJV) 2 Pet 2:9
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(KJV) I Jn 4:4
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need. (KJV) Heb 4:14-16
4. Run: Do not remain in the environment where temptation arises
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(KJV) 2 Tim 2:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV) 1Thes 5:22
