James 1:13-15

“Temptation”

S: James 1:13-15 “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.” 

O: Temptation!  One of the themes of Lent is temptation.  When you try and “give up something for Lent”, you realize quickly how our old nature and our flesh work together to keep us locked into habits and pleasures.  When someone attempts to discipline the flesh and reign it in, what happens is…”temptation”.  Often temptation is a painful experience!  You want something and it influences the way you think, the way you feel and ultimately temptation’s desire is to move you to action!  And the action is to fulfill the desire!  In our passage today, James tells us “where” temptation comes from!  It comes from the flesh!  And IF we’re ruled by the flesh, then our flesh will lead us somewhere!  That “somewhere” is NOT to what God desires (so this is why God doesn’t “tempt us).  HIS desire is to lead us to and to give us….LIFE!  Temptation’s desire is death.  

When Jesus was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1), Jesus was “tempted by the devil”.  He was NOT tempted by God, but the evil one.  Jesus was “led into temptation”, so that He would overcome temptation with victory over it!  HIS victory OVER temptation is where we find our strength AND, should we fall into temptation, we find grace and mercy!  Another place Jesus faced temptation in His earthly ministry was in the garden.  And His response to it was…..prayer and surrender and submission.  “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).  This was how Jesus overcame the temptation to avoid God’s will.

A: How about you and I?  We are all tempted by our flesh our text says.  Our desires are a part of our human condition!  No one is exempt from this!  BUT, Jesus shows us and teaches us “HOW” to not “fall into our temptation”.  In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13), Jesus teaches us to pray.  AND, He demonstrated this for us in the Garden.  Second, Jesus teaches us to surrender OUR will to God’s!  Often we don’t understand “why” some temptation is happening to us, but when it comes (and it will), there is an opportunity for us to trust Jesus!  Third, James goes on to teach us to “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  In our resistance, is also an opportunity to experience victory.  Often when we are resisting, it is helpful to have someone along with you who can support you and pray for you.  Someone who can walk WITH you through the trial.  Someone who can remind you of Jesus’ victory and God’s will for you!  This is why God has given us each other!  So, as you and I face temptation, how will we overcome?  In the same way Jesus did!  Through prayer, surrender, and trust!

P:  Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray, “Lead us NOT into temptation but deliver us from evil”.  Lord Jesus YOU entered into temptation FOR us and paid the price for our failures when tempted on the cross.  Lord, today help me remember YOUR work for me and trust that when I stumble, or fall, or give in, YOU are gracious and willing to forgive.  Help me to trust in Your words: “Father forgiven them…”.  Thank You Lord!  Amen

Pastor Tim