Overcoming Temptation Successfully

2004052

Topic # 1400

Introduction:

A.     One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing with "temptations"

B.     This is especially true for new Christians:

1.      It can be frustrating to know that your sins have been forgiven...

2.      but bombarded by temptations to continue in your sins

C.    In James 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian

1.      A PROMISE to those who endure temptations

2.      A CAUTION not to wrongfully impugn the source of those temptations

3.      AN UNDERSTANDING of how sin develops

I.  The man who endures temptation will be blessed.

A.     The Greek word for "blessed" is "makarios" which means "happy, blessed"

1.      The nature of the happiness enjoyed is described as the verse continues...

B.     Those who have been proved will receive the crown of life.

1.      The promise is that of "eternal life"

2.      The promise is given by Him Who cannot lie - cf. Titus 1:2

3.      The promise is given to those who "demonstrate" (prove) their love for God by their endurance of the temptations

C.    So, v. 12 serves as a encouragement for us.  But there are some cautions we must be aware of.

II. We are not tempted by God. (1:13)

A.     We must not blame God for their temptations

B.     For God is so HOLY:

1.      He cannot be tempted by evil; Nor does He tempt anyone to do evil

C.    1:16-18 - God is the source of GOOD, not evil!

1.      Every good and perfect gift comes from Him!

2.      As an example, it was of His Own Will that He brought us forth

a.      Which He did by the "word of truth" (the gospel) - 1 Pet             1:22-23

b.      So we might be a kind of "firstfruits" (the "cream of the crop") of His creatures

D.    1:14-15 - God gives us insight into the development of sin which can help us to overcome sin

III. HOW SIN DEVELOPS...

A.     1:14 - The first stage is TEMPTATION

1.      This stage involves two things:

a)     LUST (desires, NKJV) - a strong desire for something

b)     ENTICEMENT - an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire

2.      We might say that temptation is Desire + Opportunity

3.      But remember, it is NOT a sin to be TEMPTED - cf. the example of Jesus, He 4:15

B.     1:15 - The second stage in the development of sin is SIN ITSELF

1.      Temptation leads to sin only when you yield and ACT upon it

2.      Sin therefore requires the added step of ACTION

3.      We might say that sin is Desire + Opportunity + Action

C.    1:15 - The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: DEATH

1.      This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the "wages of sin" - Rom 6:23

2.      Ultimately such "death" involves eternal punishment – Rev 21:8

IV.  How to overcome temptation:

A.     Change our desires

1.      Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin

2.      Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change our desires - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:24

B.     How do we change our desires?

1.      Notice that God’s word has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin - Ps 119:11; Mt 4:3-10

2.      To see how the Word of God can change our desires...As we read of God's love, longsuffering and mercy, we desire to serve Him - Ps 116:12-14

3.      we must come to hate sin! - Ps 119:104

C. Limit our opportunties

1.      Remember, we are tempted only when there is BOTH desire and opportunity

2.      So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires

3.      This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as Jesus taught - Mt 6:13; 26:41

4.      We can cooperate with God by:

a)     Purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful desires

b)     Following the example of David - Ps 101:3-4

c)Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin with them

1)     Again, David sets a good example - Ps 101:6-7

2)     Paul also adds his warning - 1 Co 15:33

D. Exercise self control

1.      Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to ACTION in fulfilling our sinful desires

2.      If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can overcome sin!

3.      How does the Christian exercise self-control?

a)     Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the Spirit" - Ga 5:22-23

b)     As Paul said:  "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Ph 4:13

4.      But equally important, to act upon it, trusting that you are not alone as you try to do God's will - Ph 2:12-13

5.      The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to a temptation - 1 Co 10:13

E.     Obtain Forgiveness

1.      Sin is victorious when it results in punishment

2.      But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin! 1 Jn 2:1-2

Conclusion:

A.     Indeed, we can overcome sin by stopping its development at ANY one of the four stages leading to the final punishment!

B.     At every point in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin!

1.      God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds

2.      God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such

3.      God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man

4.      God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through THE BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray

C.    Certainly He is the giver of every good and perfect gift! - Ja 1:17

D.    Even as Paul wrote, in 2 Th 3:3; 1 Co 10:13

E.     Have you taken advantage of God's way of escape for the sins you have committed?

F.     I N V I T A T I O N



Overcoming Temptation Successfully 2004052 Topic # 1400 Introduction: A. One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing with "temptations" B. This is especially true for new Christians: 1. It can be frustrating to know that your sins have been forgiven... 2. but bombarded by temptations to continue in your sins C. In James 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian 1. A PROMISE to those who endure temptations 2. A CAUTION not to wrongfully impugn the source of those temptations 3. AN UNDERSTANDING of how sin develops I. The man who endures temptation will be blessed. A. The Greek word for "blessed" is "makarios" which means "happy, blessed" 1. The nature of the happiness enjoyed is described as the verse continues... B. Those who have been proved will receive the crown of life. 1. The promise is that of "eternal life" 2. The promise is given by Him Who cannot lie - cf. Titus 1:2 3. The promise is given to those who "demonstrate" (prove) their love for God by their endurance of the temptations C. So, v. 12 serves as a encouragement for us. But there are some cautions we must be aware of. II. We are not tempted by God. (1:13) A. We must not blame God for their temptations B. For God is so HOLY: 1. He cannot be tempted by evil; Nor does He tempt anyone to do evil C. 1:16-18 - God is the source of GOOD, not evil! 1. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him! 2. As an example, it was of His Own Will that He brought us forth a. Which He did by the "word of truth" (the gospel) - 1 Pet 1:22-23 b. So we might be a kind of "firstfruits" (the "cream of the crop") of His creatures D. 1:14-15 - God gives us insight into the development of sin which can help us to overcome sin III. HOW SIN DEVELOPS... A. 1:14 - The first stage is TEMPTATION 1. This stage involves two things: a) LUST (desires, NKJV) - a strong desire for something b) ENTICEMENT - an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire 2. We might say that temptation is Desire + Opportunity 3. But remember, it is NOT a sin to be TEMPTED - cf. the example of Jesus, He 4:15 B. 1:15 - The second stage in the development of sin is SIN ITSELF 1. Temptation leads to sin only when you yield and ACT upon it 2. Sin therefore requires the added step of ACTION 3. We might say that sin is Desire + Opportunity + Action C. 1:15 - The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: DEATH 1. This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the "wages of sin" - Rom 6:23 2. Ultimately such "death" involves eternal punishment – Rev 21:8 IV. How to overcome temptation: A. Change our desires 1. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin 2. Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change our desires - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:24 B. How do we change our desires? 1. Notice that God’s word has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin - Ps 119:11; Mt 4:3-10 2. To see how the Word of God can change our desires...As we read of God's love, longsuffering and mercy, we desire to serve Him - Ps 116:12-14 3. we must come to hate sin! - Ps 119:104 C. Limit our opportunties 1. Remember, we are tempted only when there is BOTH desire and opportunity 2. So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires 3. This can be done by ASKING FOR GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL HELP, as Jesus taught - Mt 6:13; 26:41 4. We can cooperate with God by: a) Purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful desires b) Following the example of David - Ps 101:3-4 c)Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin with them 1) Again, David sets a good example - Ps 101:6-7 2) Paul also adds his warning - 1 Co 15:33 D. Exercise self control 1. Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to ACTION in fulfilling our sinful desires 2. If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can overcome sin! 3. How does the Christian exercise self-control? a) Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the Spirit" - Ga 5:22-23 b) As Paul said: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Ph 4:13 4. But equally important, to act upon it, trusting that you are not alone as you try to do God's will - Ph 2:12-13 5. The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to a temptation - 1 Co 10:13 E. Obtain Forgiveness 1. Sin is victorious when it results in punishment 2. But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin! 1 Jn 2:1-2 Conclusion: A. Indeed, we can overcome sin by stopping its development at ANY one of the four stages leading to the final punishment! B. At every point in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin! 1. God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds 2. God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such 3. God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man 4. God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through THE BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray C. Certainly He is the giver of every good and perfect gift! - Ja 1:17 D. Even as Paul wrote, in 2 Th 3:3; 1 Co 10:13 E. Have you taken advantage of God's way of escape for the sins you have committed? F. I N V I T A T I O N