The Book of James – Temptation James 1:12-18

Overcoming Temptation – v.12-15

James now introduces us to the concept of temptation and unmasks the one who is responsible.  Let’s start by understanding where temptation comes from: in the text it says that God does not tempt anyone; that narrows our list of suspects down to one, Satan.  The design of a temptation is to get us to fail, to take our eyes off of Jesus and to destroy our credibility with those who know us.  Temptation, according to verse 13, is an invitation to do evil.  Satan enters our minds in the hopes of making evil look good.  Satan even stands before God accusing us of evil.  Rev 12:9-10  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

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The Book of James – Trials (James 1:2-4)

Introduction

I mentioned last time that James was a plain spoken man. James is also direct and to the point.  As proof of this he says hello in verse one and by verse two he talks about the trials that come into our life; the times of testing that can leave us spiritually battered and bruised.

Trial vs. Tempted

“How do I know what I’m going through is a trial as opposed to Satan just pounding me over the head?”  When God’s hand is at work the trial is designed to build you up, to strengthen your Christian character.  When Satan is on the scene his only goal is to ruin you and make you fail.  God wants to embrace you and Satan wants to embarrass you.