Temptations - Satan’s Flaming Arrows
Intro: Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).
James 1:2-18
I. Where Do Temptations Come From? - v13-18
A. v13-15 - Satan produces temptations.
1. Temptation (πειράζω) = a test, a thought designed to produce evil action.
a. v13 says that God doesn’t produce that!
b. Job’s trials were given by Satan but limited by God (Job 1 & 2)
c. The temptations of Jesus came straight from the devil (Matthew 4:1-11)
2. v14 - But Satan uses your own attitudes as ammunition against you.
a. Evil desire (ἐπιθῡμία) = lust.
b. Dragged away (ἐξέλκω) = lured, to draw out by beating the brush (hunters).
c. Enticed (δελεάζω) = to lure with bait (fishermen).
3. v15 - When these thoughts persist, they produce bad conduct.
4. As this sin continues, it produces death. Rom 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death.
B. God doesn’t provide temptations. He motivates us by His kindness (Rom 2:4).
1. Good certainly isn’t provided by Satan. ILL: The Unpardonable Sin (Matt 12:22-32)
2. v17 - Rather, God is the provider of every good & perfect gift.
3. v18 - God’s goal is to use His Word to produce us as the first fruit of His creatures!
II. How are You to React to Temptation When It Comes? - v2-12
A. v2 - You are to consider it pure joy!
1. v3 - Because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ILL: The iron bar: worth $2.50; as a horseshoe: $5.00; as needles: $175.00: as a knife blade: $1625.00; as watchsprings: $125,000.00!
2. v4 - Because when perseverance matures, the result is a complete Christian who lacks nothing in his faith!
B. How can temptation be transformed into this blessing?
1. v5-8 - Through prayer.
a. God gives liberally to those who pray. Consider Solomon.
b. But effective prayer must be trusting prayer!
2. v9-11 - Through being content with where the Lord has you right now.
a. Proverbs 15:16 - Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
b. John the Baptist told the Roman soldiers to be content with their pay. (Lk 3:14)
c. Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in (Phil 4:11).
d. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with what we have!
e. So - accept the testing with joy, whether through temptation or affliction, with grace & discernment.
3. v12 - Through the hope that when you endure the testing you will be rewarded. ILL: Diamonds are burnished for months with diamond dust before they are fit to be jewels for a crown.
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