Trials & Trials & TemptationsTemptations

James 1:12-18James 1:12-18© John Stevenson, 2009

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they

persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12).

Harold KushnerHarold Kushner

• God is good but not able to prevent bad things from happening

• God is able to prevent bad things, but he is not good.

Suggests one of two possible conclusions:

1:1-4We are to consider our trials to have an end result of joy because endurance is

being produced in our lives.

1:5We are to ask God for wisdom so we

can see and understand the benefits of those trials.

1:6-8There is a condition to the reception of God’s wisdom. It is that we be single-

minded in our desire to know God.

1:9-11We are given a practical application in

dealing with those trials. It is in the area of our finances.

James 1:12James 1:12Blessed is a man who

perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

RewardRewardTrialsTrials

James 1:12James 1:12Blessed is a man who

perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

stefanstefanojoj

Victor’s wreathVictor’s wreath

James 1:13James 1:13Let no one say when he is

tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

If God cannot be tempted, If God cannot be tempted, then how was Jesus tempted then how was Jesus tempted

in the wilderness?in the wilderness?

TrialsComes from the

outside and moves into your life.

TemptationsComes from the inside

out.

Brings life. Brings death.

Leads to maturity. Leads to a maturing of sin.

God brings the outward trials into your life.

He does not bring the inner temptations;

those come from within you.

DeathDeath

James 1:14-15James 1:14-15But each one is tempted when

he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

SinSinLust

James 1:14-15James 1:14-15But each one is tempted when

he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

How was this process seen How was this process seen in the Garden of Eden in the Garden of Eden

temptation?temptation?

DeathDeath LifeLife

Outward act Outward act of sinof sin

Faith & trust Faith & trust in Godin God

Desire in the heartDesire in the heart

Process begins with a need Process begins with a need (either real or perceived)(either real or perceived)

James 1:16-17James 1:16-17Do not be deceived, my beloved

brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Present tense ““Stop being Stop being deceived”deceived”

James 1:16-17James 1:16-17Do not be deceived, my beloved

brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:18James 1:18In the exercise of His will He

brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Our Will

We exercise our own will independently of God when we sin.

God’s Will

God exercised His own will in order to save us.

Exercising our own will brings forth death.

Exercising His will led to bringing us forth by

the word of truth

Each one is tempted when he is carried

away and enticed by his own lust (1:14).

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth

by the word of truth (1:18).

James 1:18James 1:18In the exercise of His will He

brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.