Temptation

James 1:12-15 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1. THE ROOT OF TEMPTATION v13-15
A. We invite temptation to exist- it’s not temptation if we don’t want it
B. The best way to stay away from temptation is to stay full of God
C. We should work on doing what is right instead of worrying about doing what is wrong.

2. THE REASON FOR TEMPTATION v12
“We can stand up under the test, be approved”
A. Temptation is a chance for us to choose.
1. We prove our love by our choices.

Why does God test us? To see what’s in us? No, he already knows.
He tests us so that we might know what is in our hearts. John Bevere, A Heart Ablaze, pg. 49

B. Temptation shows what’s in our heart.
1. Our private life is the real us
2. 1 Timothy 5:24‑25 The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

3. THE RESULT OF TEMPTATION v12
A. Some people fail the test.
1. Sin is choosing something over God
2. When we disobey God we harden our hearts
a. Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert

B. Temptation makes us stronger
1. The devil brings temptation to destroy us, but God turns it around for good.
a. Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
b. Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
c. 1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
d. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2. So why does he try? He’s willing to take the chance that we will mess up

4. OUR REACTION TO TEMPTATION v12
A. Use the Word of God
1. Jesus did- Mt 4 “It is written”
2. Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
3. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

B. Treasure your relationship with God.
1. Psalms 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
2. You don’t want to do anything to disrupt the clean and open relationship you have with him.

C. Look for a way of escape
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
2. If you get stuck in a situation - run
a. Genesis 39:12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
b. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality

D. Don’t think you are above temptation
1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

E. Never give up
1. If you fall
a. Proverbs 24:16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.
b. Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
2. If you don’t feel anything
a. Habakkuk 3:17‑18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Just a few thoughts.

1. What a great day at Christian Center Assembly of God yesterday!

2. We officially changed our service schedule to two services.
I never knew going to two services could be so much fun!

3. Congratulations to our friends Angel and Jason.
I had the honor of officiating their wedding Saturday night.

4. I am beginning to realize how hard blogging is!
Coming up with fresh, insightful and interesting stuff to write is harder than I thought.

5. Looking forward to this Sunday, when we get to do two services again!
Yes this will become the normal thing at CCAG.

6. Making more room for people to be impacted by the Gospel of Christ!

7. Let Love Live.

8. Love Wins.

Hunger

Read this post on hunger. It was written by a friend of mine. Good stuff Michael Fleming!

http://mdfleming.wordpress.com/

I hope you are challenged by Michael's post!