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“Who is Responsible for Temptation?”
Mark Anthony was known as the silver-throated orator of Rome. He was credited with being a brilliant man, a strong leader, and a courageous soldier. But the one thing he lacked was strength of character. On the outside he was powerful and impressive, but on the inside he was weak and vulnerable. This so enraged his tutor that on one occasion he shouted at him, “O Marcus! O collossal child…able to conquer the world but unable to resist a temptation.”
That indictment fits not only Mark Anthony but also many of us today. No one is immune to the bewitching appeals of temptation with its seductive song, whether it is the temptation of sexual sin, of coveting things, of wanting titles, of cheating, or of gossiping that leads to broken friendships.
With that in mind we again turn to the New Testament book of James, chapter 1 to see how James addresses this age old problem that all of us face,TEMPTATION.
Now in James 1 we find the word TEMPTATION is used in two different ways. In verses 2-3 and 12 the word temptation refers to “a test, or a trial.” We are to accept these trials with joy, because they are God's instruments to bring about spiritual growth and maturity in our lives as believers.
For example: when the Bible says, "God tempted Abraham" it means God "tested Abraham's faith" just as the goldsmith commits gold to intense fire to reveal it's true character.
For example: in the life of Job, he was tempted to lose faith at the loss of everything – his health, his family, his home, and his business! There was nothing immoral about Job's problems; they were a test, in fact a series of tests of his faith.
TRIALS ARE ORDEALS, they are TESTS OF OUR FAITH, rejoice in them for in verse 12 we read, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: (literally trials of adversity) for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
However, when we come to verses 13-14 the word tempted is used in an entirely different way. Although it is the same Greek word,
In verses 2-12 it is used in the noun form to mean a test.
In verses 13-14 it is used in the verb form to mean "a solicitation to do evil."
A glance at a dictionary will inform us that temptation is"the act of enticement to do wrong, by promise of pleasure or gain."That's right. Temptation motivates you to be BAD by promising something GOOD. Isn't that just like the devil?
In verses 2-12, it is God who TESTS us to bring out the GOOD. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact we are to REJOICE in the test.
In verses 13-14 it is Satan who TEMPTS us to bring out the BAD. It is these temptations that we are to renounce and resist.
It is no sin to be tempted. Our human nature is subject to that. However, the sin is in yielding to temptation. Remember this,"Temptation will strike at our weakest moment at our strongest point."Those who think they cannot wander will be the first to lose their way. Does it not say in I Corinthians 10:12"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Nothing tests the integrity of our faith like our response to temptation.Knowing the enticements his scattered Christian friends were facing, James offers FOUR principles regarding temptation, all found within James 1:13-15. Let's set the stage by reading theses verses together. “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: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
First Principle: Temptation is inevitable. Another way of saying this would be, acknowledge the reality of temptation. Notice:
Verse 13, "Let no man say WHEN he is tempted…"
Verse 14, "But every man is tempted, WHEN…"
Verse 15, "Then WHEN lust hath concieved…"
James did not say, "Let no man say "IF" he is tempted…"He said,"WHEN he is tempted."And there's the difference.
It would be wonderful if we could live without facing temptations. But the simple truth is we cannot. If you think you've foundsome ideal area where there is no chance for temptation, THEN DON'T GO THERE.WE WILL NEVER BE IN A PLACE ON EARTH WHERE THERE IS NO TEMPTATION, NEVER.The temptation is not the problem. It is my old sin nature that gets in the way.
Most of us are not at all surprised when we hear of others falling prey to temptation, but we are often surprised when we face it.YET TEMPTATION IS INEVITABLE! NONE ESCAPES IT!
Someone said, "You will be tempted. The kinds of temptation may change; candy for kids, sensuality for the teenager, riches for the middle-aged and power for the aging. The Evil One can bring the changes with greater skill than any advertising agency. He knows our Achilles heel. You will be tempted continuously. At times, you will even be tempted ferociously."
Paul puts it this way in I Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer or permit you to be tempted above what you are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Again James says, not"If"but"When."Every one of us faces temptation, it is inevitable. We cannot get away from it.
Second Principle: Temptation is never directed by God. God permits it, but He never directs it. Notice verse 13, “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:” God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does God tempt us,WE SIN BY OUR OWN CHOICE.
God is "UN-TEMPTABLE." He has never experienced evil, nor can He! He is absolutely HOLY and RIGHTEOUS. Holy means to be "totally separate from sin."Consider these verses:
Isaiah 57:15, "For this is what the high and lofty One says, He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place."
Psalm 99:9, "Exalt the Lord our God…for the Lord our God is holy."
Habakkuk 1:13, speaking of God, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong."
Again in James 1:13 we read,"Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God."One of the most difficult things for us to say is,"I'm guilty, I'm wrong, and it was my fault."Instead, we carry on in a subtle way like our first parents. We say,
"It must be God's will or He would not let it happen," or,
"God allowed me to be in this situation…He could have stopped it if He had wanted to."
But James would have none of our excuses. God does not CONDONE or COMMEND our sinful behavior. In fact the original language of verse 13 is much stronger than the English,"Don't even remotely suggest that God has anything to do with your temptation."
God may test you to STRENGTHEN your faith.
But God never tempts you to SUBVERT your faith.
STOP BLAMING GOD.The same perfection that makes it impossible toTEMPT GODmakes it impossible for God toTEMPT US.Now, since this is true, then who am I to blame?
Third Principle: Temptation is an individual matter. Again in verses 14-15, I want you to notice"Every man and… his own."When we choose to yield, it is an individual matter. Another way of expressing it,"A man's temptation is due to the pull of his own immoral desires, which by the way can be enormously attractive."The FAULTis ours. The source of sin is our own lust.
It is not the first look or the first thought that's dangerous, rather it's the second occasion that will GRAB you every time.
Sinful behavior originates in the heart of every individual, "Each one is tempted when by his OWN EVIL DESIRES he is dragged away and enticed."
It is true that Satan is the tempter. But we are responsible for our responses. WHAT EVER WE DO, WE DO BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO.
Fourth: Temptation follows an anticipated routine. In verses 14-15, James points out that temptation is not an event, but a process. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Listen to this, "People don't lead moral lives one day and have an affair the next. It may appear that way, but it is a process. The process is often overlooked because some stages are not obvious to us, the viewer, and thus they are difficult to detect. That's why it seems to happen overnight. Any of us could be in the process right now. None of us are immune. That's why you need to know these danger signals."
Man is tempted by his own lust, because sin begins in his heart. It is interesting in theses verses James does not mention Satan. James says from the practical stand point"SIN IS YOUR FAULT."The temptation in our lives can be traced to our own lust, WE CHOSE TO DO IT.
Now the word “lust” means, "A driving passion." Too often we allow our minds to dwell upon things that we know are not right, until our lust bursts into action and then consumes us. Listen to this, "We need to realize that lust is nurtured:
By the things our eyes see,
By the things our minds think about and dwell upon,
By the places our feet take us,
By the things our hands do,
By the wrong company we encourage, until lust gets out of control.
In II Corinthians 10:5 we read,"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."WE WILL BE CONTROLLED BY OUR LUST AND DESIRES, UNLESS JESUS CONTROLS OUR LUST AND DESIRES. That is why it is important to commit our minds and hearts to Jesus Christ.
If we fill our minds with lurid magazines or cheap TV shows and movies, if we stay away from godly people and engage in things that are morally wrong, then we will encourage and foster lust until it becomes our master. Here are the steps:
Number 1: Enticement – This is the LUST of our sin nature.
Number 2: Entrapment – Notice that the term "drawn away," means "snared in a trap." Notice also the word "enticed" which means “to lure with bait." Combining both terms, one can visualize a fish being aroused from its place of safety, and then being lured to the bait that hides the fatal hook.
Lust hides the hook with the bait, we keep playing with it, nibbling on it, until it has GOT US! Remember Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."My friends, the BAIT is there, the HOOK is there and they snag us because we live in a HOOKED-UP GENERATION that leads to the next step
Number 3: Endorsement – In verse 15, it literally says "When lust has concieved, it gives birth to sin." SIN IS THE UNION OF THE WILL WITH LUST. Listen, “Just as a child is a person before he is ever born, so sin is present in the heart before it gives evidence that it is there. The conception of the sin and the discovery of the sin may be many months apart, but the process has been set in motion. As we read in Numbers 32:22, "Be sure your sin will find you out." THE DEED DONE, SIN IS BORN. One last step remains.
Number 4: Enslavement – There is an old proverb that goes like this, "SOW a thought and reap a deed, SOW a deed and reap a habit, SOW a habit and reap a destiny." James puts it in a literal way in verse 15, "These evil desires lead to evil actions and after all is said and done, they lead to the death penalty from God."
Stop for a moment. While looking at the world and the things of the world, I have heard many Christians say, "Man, that is living, why not live it up?"Stop, and listen carefully folks. "THE WORLD IS DEAD." Did you hear that? "THE WORLD IS DEAD!"There is no life in the world, because its lust and pleasure leads to death.
When you GIVE-IN to temptation, verse 15 tells us you receive death. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH.
When you OVERCOME temptation, verse 12 tells us you receive the crown of life.
Listen, you can choose how you want to live.
You are free to choose the actions, but not the results.
You are free to have your kicks, but not to avoid the kick-back!
You are free to make the choices, but not avoid the consequences.
In South America there is a strange vine known as the MATADOR. Beginning at the root of the tree, it slowly makes its way to the top. As it grows, it kills the tree, and when at last the top is reached, it sends forth a flower to crown itself. Matador means "Killer." This is the process James is taking about in verse 15."…and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
"The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4
There are no exceptions to that. Anytime we sin, we will pay for it. Someone has very wisely said,
He that falls into sin is a man.
He that grieves over sin is a saint.
He that boasts of sin is a devil.
Another said, "I fear nothing but sin." And so should we. Not only fear it, but grieve over it.
Perhaps you are wondering how to say, NO consistently. Fortunately, you havetheclassic illustration for handling temptation found in the life of Joseph in Genesis 39:1-7,
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelite, which had brought him down thither. (2) And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. (3) And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. (4) And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. (5) And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. (6) And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. (7) And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.”
Did you notice the BAIT? Here is a handsome single man, alone, with a married woman who has a lustful desire for him. The trap was set with the BAIT, but Joseph refused. Look at his answer in verses 8-9,
“But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; (9) There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Here is a man whose heart for GOD took precedence. "How can I sin this way against God?"He willfully and deliberately rejected the BAIT. Continue in verses 10-12,
“And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. (11) And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. (12) And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”
I like that, HE TOOK OFF! He ran. She got the garment, but he kept his purity and character.
There is a name for those who linger and try to reason with lust: he is called a VICTIM.
There is a name for those who run like mad from the pleasure of sin: he is called a VICTOR.
Saying NO is something all of us who belong to Christ can do. There's nothing magical about it.You simply put JESUS CHRIST AT THE HELM OF YOUR LIFE, AND SAY NO!Someone said,"Give me men who love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin."In light of that statement, here are 3 workable, practical principles to follow.
First: Counteract temptation, do not tolerate it. Paul wrote about this in Romans 6:13,"Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteouness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead…"Yield yourself to God. Don't try to peacefully coexist with temptation. Come out against it.
Let's face it; we play with things that make us weak. We know what areas they are. If we continually subject ourselves to stimuli that triggers evil desires, we are simply asking for trouble.
If you are weakened by certain kinds of music, don’t listen to it.
If you are weakened by certain types of TV shows that build desires within you, then turn them off.
If you are weakened by the sensational rumors of the "national magazines" don't be surprised by your drama-seeking mentality. Don’t read them.
If you are weakened by certain individuals that lead you astray, learn from Joseph – RUN!
Psalm 1:1 tells us"Blessed is the man who does NOT WALK in the counsel of the wicked or STAND in the way of sinners or SIT in the seat of the scornful or mockers."If you keep walking-by the temptation, it will be easy to stop and stand and stare at it, and before long you will be participating in it.
Second: Use the right resistance. When lust or sensual sins are mentioned in the New Testament, we are told to:
"Flee youthful lust" in II Timothy 2:22, and to
“Abstain from all appearances of evil” in II Thessalonians 5:22.
If you try to co-exist or tolerate the sin, I guarantee, you will ultimately fall victim to it.
Third: Control your thought life through the memorized Word. When the devil launches his full-scale attack against you, remember Psalm 119:9-11,"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."These are familiar, but strong and powerful words. When the Word of God is stored up in our minds, it stands ready to strike. No weapon, not even the Devil, can stand against the truth. In Ephesians 6:17 Paul tells us to use the"Sword of the Sprit which is the Word of God."as a weapon against Satan. Remember this simple yet profound truth,"This book will keep you from yielding to temptation, or the pleasure of sin will keep you from this book." Does it work? I can testify by personal experience that it really does work!
Mark Anthony’s most widely known and costly temptation was the dazzling bait of Cleopatra. Their adulterous relationship, with its passing pleasure, cost him his wife, his place as a world leader, and ultimately his life.
Are you facing temptation?Then let's recharge your thinking from James 1:13-15, don't give up, don't cave in.
If you are being tempted, FLEE.
If you have been grinding at the MILL OF REMORSE, ask for God's forgiveness. He will, and then he will restore you.
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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon“Who is Responsible for Temptation?” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.
Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in
Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”
If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.
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In His Amazing Grace,
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