James 1:13-18

Two Men and a Temptation

We live in an assortment of pressures and trials. Hudson Taylor said, “It doesn’t matter, really how great the pressure is; it only matters where the pressure lies. See that it never comes between you and the Lord—then, the greater the pressure, the more it presses you to His breast” (Howard Taylor, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret).

"Trials are the instruments, without which the Christian-character cannot reach perfection," observed Tasker. God gives us divine wisdom "in answer to prayer at every stage in the life of holiness." 

"God is more concerned with the spiritual, eternal, ultimate well-being of those who trust Him, than with the temporary and transient things of their life on earth. He is more concerned with our personalities than our possessions; more with our character than our comforts. We shall leave behind . . . everything we have except our character," keenly observes Herbert Stephenson.

Our heavenly Father is the giver of "every good gift." We are not left to our own resources as we face trials and temptations. He has given us divine wisdom. The eternal, unchangeable Lord has chosen us in Christ from the eternal ages, to be conformed to the image of His Son. He redeemed and regenerated us for His own glory.

After first discussing wisdom for steadfastness in facing outward trials James then gives us practical help in facing temptations.

"True happiness is an eternal quality." How strange that people go in search of happiness in their circumstances and chances in life. If the winds blow our way we are happy, if against us we are sad. When faced with trials and temptations we tend to forget that we have the fuller life God offers us in "the crown of life" (v. 12). "Blessed 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."  The "crown" consists of life. "It is a gift showing the approval of the divine Giver" (Tasker). Hort suggested, "It is in symbol what is expressed in words in the greeting 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" Paul referred to the believers at the church at Thessalonica as his "hope," "joy" and "crown of rejoicing" when Christ returns at His Second Coming (1 Thess. 2:19). It is a gift of God's grace freely received. James tells us God has rich blessings in store for the believers. That blessing begins in the new birth and continues until that great day when it reaches its full consummation in the presence of Jesus Christ in heaven.

Testing times may become tempting times if the believer yields to solving the problem in the flesh. The outstanding Greek scholar, A. T. Robertson considered the word "trial" in James 1:12 as "most likely the idea of temptation." "He has not really digressed from the subject. He merely discusses one aspect." The word "approve" in verse twelve suggests "the furnace that removes the dross and leaves the pure metal." Trials and temptations do that in our lives as we face them in the sustaining grace and power of Jesus Christ.

One of the most difficult trials is when we get caught tightly in the grip of temptation. When that grip is broken by the power of the Holy Spirit it is a time of great triumph, and a period of spiritual growth. But experience teaches us, as does God's Word that this is also a time to draw close to our Lord because we become vulnerable to another attack. It is always present in our lives. It is not a matter of if, but when. The timing is never convenient for us, but always perfect timing for our old nature. When we are tempted we are seduced, persuaded or allured into evil.

THE PRINCIPLE STATED (Jas. 1:13)

"Let 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."

James is clearly referring to temptation to evil in verse thirteen. Moffatt translates, "tried by temptation." Robertson notes, "Any trial wrongly used may become a temptation."

Need for definition

Here James clearly means to try, to tempt in the sense of temptation to sin. It is to be solicited to do evil. God is not capable of being tempted. He is invincible to the assault to evil.

The word "tempted" means to entice to do wrong by a promise of pleasure or gain.  It is synonymous with to seduce, to allure into evil, to persuade. It is soliciting to do evil. We see this graphically illustrated in Genesis 3:6-7. The temptation may be position, power, people, and prestige. It centers on I, me and mine. Temptation knows no barriers and no one is an exception. It is inevitable in our daily lives. Even for the believer the old nature has not been eradicated. However, we do have a choice (Rom. 6:11).

The German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us of ourselves in these words:

In our members there is a slumbering inclination towards desire which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smoldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire or ambition or vanity or desire for revenge or love of fame and power or greed for money.

The general tenor of the Bible, Tasker notes, is that "while God allows men to be tried. . . such trials may be used by the evil one, designated Satan or the devil, as temptations to do evil, though the devices of Satan can never thwart the ultimate purpose of God" (TBC, General Epistle of James, p. 45). However, Satan's "evil purpose stands in subordination to the divine purpose of perfecting apostleship," says Hort.

God never tempts anyone

God does not tempt us. He never solicits us to do evil. There is a big difference between "testing" to prove you are genuine and tempting to do evil. God says He never entices anyone to evil. When God tests us He does so to cause us to stretch and grow in our Christ-like character.

God provides perfect gifts (1:13, 17). The grammar James uses with the preposition "by" is strong. He writes, "Let no one say, `Indirectly, God set this up!'" God isn't even indirectly involved in our sin or temptations. 

Satan tempts us to think God will not give us His very best. It is the same old line he has used since Genesis three. Satan suggests God cheats. No, Satan deceives (v. 16). When we are "deceived" we are being led down the wrong path. Don't believe the lie.

God cannot be tempted by evil. It is not His nature to tempt or deceive anyone. God never tries with "evil intent" for the purpose of causing us to sin. By His very nature God cannot be tempted with evil, nor will He tempt anyone to do evil. Don't blame God, James says. He cannot be the cause of our doing evil things. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (v. 17). He bestows good and perfect gifts in our lives. He brings rich abundant gifts to cause us to grow in Christ.

I have come to the reasoned conclusion that God is not in at least 90% of what we see on TV and read in the media. In fact, it has become the realm of temptation, even hostile anger toward God and anyone who takes Him seriously. The stimuli suggest if everyone else is doing it I am being left out. God is cheating me out of the best of life. And we are back to the same lie Satan tells spiritually blind people. Who offers me the best I can get out of life? Is God really for me and wants me to make the best choices? Is Satan wiser than God? Does Satan lead me to make the best choices in life? Give me a break. Only a fool would believe Satan is our friend.

God will never directly or indirectly lead anyone into sin, or to temptation.

Don't try playing the blame game with God. God does not respond to evil temptation. You will not flippantly blame God in heaven. God Himself tempts no one to sin. He sends trials, but not temptation. "The devil does tempt us. That is his business. And yet James does not refer to Satan here by name, for after all, we ourselves are responsible, as he proceeds to show" (Studies in the Epistle of James), p. 51).

God cannot be tempted with evil and He cannot be tempted to do evil Himself or be led to tempt others with evil.

The Greek and Roman gods were credited with all human and inhuman vices. They revel in lust, cruelty, jealousy, hate and revenge. No wonder the Lord Jesus Christ, as the incarnate Word of God was a fresh revelation of the one and true God. He is holy and righteous God in whom there is no evil or even a shadow of evil.

Sin has not been eradicated; we still have the old nature in us that yields to temptation. However, let it be clearly understood that we have a choice because we have a new principle, spiritual life and nature that can respond to the Holy Spirit who gives power to overcome.

James' reasoning is quite clear. God cannot be tempted by evil and He does not tempt anyone else.

James uses diatribe style of oratory as he puts words in the mouth of a detractor: "I am tempted by God." James answers saying God is not in the most remote manner the source of temptation. He cannot be tempted to do evil toward anyone. He is untemptable. He is absolutely irresistible to temptation. Have you ever been tempted to tempt someone? Not God. James' detractor blamed God for human lust. He has some friends in our day who love to blame God for their faults.

We could clear up a lot of moral confusion by staying in God's Word. God is not the reason for your sin and its consequences. God is not going to lead you to do something that is contrary to His revealed written Word. The Holy Spirit is not going to lead a believer to go against the clear teachings of the Bible. 

Even though men are blinded in their hearts and God gave them up to the "lusts of their hearts" Calvin said correctly, "Scripture does not assign to Him the beginning of this blindness, nor does it make Him the author of sin, as to ascribe to Him the blame; and on these two things only does James dwell."

When we keep giving into temptation the presence of God is "quite unreal to us." Our desires for the forbidden quenches the Spirit's influence and work in our hearts. Then we lose all spiritual reality and yield. In those moments of pure selfishness we lose the power of clear discrimination and pure love for God. Watch how this process robs us of our fellowship with God in Christ.

THE PROCESS OF TEMPTATION PRESENTED (1:14-18)

In verse fourteen James says, "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (vv. 14-15).

One good thing is Satan is not very creative. Temptation follows a rather consistent pattern. James gives us the process of temptation. We have no reason to be deceived.

James tells us there is a trap in which bait has been planted. We are "enticed" like the bait that lures birds into a trap. We put cheese in a mousetrap to tempt the poor devil to take the bait. We have two cats and I doubt if either one of them has the faintest idea what to do with a mouse. The bait is usually external to us, but the stimulus becomes our interest and strong desires.

The plot situation or bait (v. 14)

 "When you are tempted," not if you are tempted. The New American Standard Bible says, "Each one is tempted . . ." Temptations to do wrong are always present in our lives. External bait is usually the object of our interest. No one is immune to temptation.

What kind of bait do you prefer? What do you easily fall for and respond to without the slightest hesitation? Satan knows the precise bait each of us prefers and he will keep on coming back and enticing us when we least expect it. Don't fall into the trap of blaming the devil; we have a choice. Because we have Christ indwelling us we can be as holy as we choose. It is yours and my responsibility to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The passion from within (v. 14) 

Once we are baited by the stimuli from the five senses our feelings, longings and evil desires are aroused in our hearts. We allow it to play around in our imagination and develop all kinds of scenarios and possibilities for enjoyment.

"But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" (v. 14). The tempter would be frustrated in all his attacks if it were not for the traitor within each of us. The blame for every wrongdoing must ultimately remain upon us. Our own conscience screams, "Thou art the man!"

We have this strong emotional desire to satisfy what I think I need to feel secure, significant and sufficient in life. It gets down to the core of our beliefs about what we think we must have to be an adequate person. And there we are tempted to leave God out.

We have no excuse for sin. It is our personal choice. There is no one else to blame. "By his own lust" means to be "lured and enticed by his own desires." We are "carried away and enticed" by our sinful passions. It is a picture of fish swimming in a straight course and being drawn away to something that appears to be attractive, only to discover that the alluring bait has a deadly hook attached to it. The bait is always hooked. As with all hooks there is a bite to it. It will bite into you if you grab it.

The word "lust" (epithumia) is a strong desire and in the New Testament nearly always is used in a bad sense. Lust is the best translation her. The LORD observed man and said after the flood, "the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Genesis 8:21). Jesus taught that these lustful desires are in themselves sinful even when they have not come to fruit in behavior (Matthew 5:28). You see no one can live up to the Sermon on the Mount. We are all sinners standing in the need of His saving and sustaining grace.

James uses another word "enticed" which is a hunter's word, to trap or catch with bait. In Proverbs it is used of the harlot who entices to sin (1:10). "Enticed" in the original refers to an animal drawn to a trap with bait. The fisherman lures his prey from its retreat and entices it by faith to his trap, hook or net. What kind of bait is best used to draw you out of your repose to allure you to sin? Lust always has an unsettling deception to it. Suddenly the bait is presented and the person is lured out of his rest and when he takes the bait he is surprised that he has been hooked.

Plummer was correct when he said a person's evil desire plays the part of the temptress and we are drawn away by it and enticed.

We become ensnared by our own sinful passions.

The persuasion, or the trap is sprung.

Then we get carried away with the allurement and we go after the bait. We are persuaded by our inner desires to go for it. James is descriptive saying "carried away" used for the drawing the fish out of its retreat, beguiling it from under the rocks and brush. The fish bites at the bait and is caught on the hook. So it is with people. We are drawn out by our own lust for the sin placed before us. Satan sets many a variety of bait before us. The evil suggestion is entertained and played with until finally a choice is made and sin is the fruit.

"Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin . . ." It is the result of yielding to the seductive temptation. The strong desire can be anything that draws us away from the Lordship of Jesus Christ. What is the fruit of the temptation? When it is fully grown what does it produce in your life? What does it look when it is fully mature? When you give birth to the strong desire what are the inevitable results in your life?

Often the impulse is not evil in itself but how we decide to use it. It is sin when we choose to express it in a way that is against God's will and purpose. Every healthy person has a natural desire for sex. That is not evil; God gave it to us for pleasure. It becomes sin when outside of God's intended purpose.

The Penalty (v. 15; Rom. 6:23)

The result of the bait is the arousing of the strong desire within us. This strong passionate desire to sin received the approval of our will and then brings forth fruit." Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." James says it is like childbirth because the child is alive before its actual birth, "so sin does not begin to be sinful only when it is manifest in a specific, visible action, though some such sinful action is bound sooner or later to emerge," writes Tasker.

When the sinful life style has reached its maturity it begins forth death (Rom. 6:23). This is the opposite of the "crown of life" in verse twelve.

James changes his figure of speech from the sporting world to an illegitimate birth in v. 15. He uses personification to picture an evil seductress enticing a person and then conceiving a terrible offspring. When lust gives birth, the birth certificate records the name: sin. When sin reaches maturity it produces the monstrous offspring, death. James sets forth the terrible process: lust, sin and death.

The end result is spiritual death-experience. We are separated from our intimate fellowship with God. Our carnality takes over. There will be short-term pleasures and then comes the inevitable spiritual emptiness. Our fellowship with God is broken. We are guilty and we know it.

Adam and Eve played the first blame game. "The woman whom You gave to me. She did it! She gave it to me and I ate" (Gen. 3:12, Pounds paraphrase). Adam was guilty because he ate.

The woman was quick to blame Satan. "The serpent deceived me, and I ate" (Gen. 3:13). God didn't ask the serpent for his excuse. Who do you usually blame for your favorite sin? Do you lay the blame on your spouse, your children, your neighbor, your teacher, boss, the company, the economy, your education or lack of it, some genetic make up? It is a lie just like the man who said in public testimony when he said, "I don't know that woman!" We lie when we point to someone else. I am guilty. I am the sinner; I am the one who chose to yield to my lust. It was my choice. No one can make you sin. It is your own will that decides. It is unfortunate that the modern world immediately assumes sexual overtones when you use the word "lust" because James uses it with the idea of any strong desire outside God's will. It might be power, position, wealth, possessions, control, etc. and it may be sexual desire gone outside God's limits.

Sin cannot be easily brushed aside by ignoring it, or rewriting the rules of the game. Throwing out God's Word, setting aside His authority in moral and ethical matters does not eliminate it. Withdrawing into a philosophical hole does not remedy the problem. You cannot blow reality away with a puff of hot air.

Everyone must come as David of old and realize, "Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned. And done what is evil in Thy sight" (Psalm 51:4).

Desire makes sin where there was no sin and so gives birth to sin (cf. Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 37). Desire, sin death--Paul wrote, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). The payday of sin is death and there is always a payday. Hort said, "The birth of death follows of necessity when once sin is fully formed, for sin from its first beginning carried death within."

There is no such thing as sowing a crop of wild oats to reap a crop of wheat of righteousness. Death and hell claim their own--always.  

There is only one thing that can set us free and that is the liberating power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

A clear warning for us (vv. 17-18)

James says, "Don't be deceived." Don't be led down the wrong path. We have a choice which way we will go. Do what you know to be the right thing to do. Why is it that believing a lie is often easier than accepting the truth? Why is it that there are times when we do not want to know and accept the truth? Some one said, "Those who believe lies soon begin living them." It is a faulty belief system (the truth) that controls our response to the allurement. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." I have a choice as to what I will believe. Will I choose truth? Will I compromise on a half-truth? Do I want to believe in a lie? I heard someone say one day, "It's not that we don't understand; we just don't what to do it." At least the person was honest with himself.

James draws a sharp contrast, "Be not deceived." God is not the source of your sin and guilt. The rabbis said, "No evil thing comes down from above." Only good comes from God and He alone is absolutely good. Moffatt translates, "All we are given is good, and all our endowments are faultless." God is good to us all the time.

"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. In 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" (vv. 17-18).

God is not the source of lust, sin and death. It is beyond His character to do such a thing. He is the Father of "light" not spiritual darkness. Christ embodied that light that shines and penetrates spiritual darkness (John 1:9; 9:5; 8:12; 1 John 2:8; Eph. 5:8).

God's gifts are good and perfect; everything else is imperfect.

The light of God's truth and righteousness remains constant. There is never any shadow of the turning sun on His character. There is no twilight of darkness with Him. He is always a full blaze of truth. He remains constant with no variations.

Sinful man does not want to answer to a higher authority than himself. He prefers to be his own standard of right and wrong, good and evil. There is no shadow of turning with God. His standards are exacting and He has revealed His mind in His written Word. "There is not the slightest trace of variation in the Godhead," says Tasker.

"God's benevolence is like light which cannot be extinguished, eclipsed or 'shadowed out' in any way at all. Nothing can block God's light, interrupt the flow of His goodness, or put us 'in shadow,' so that we are out of the reach of His 'radiance,'" writes Adamson.

God exercises His "will," i.e. to counsel, to decide after counsel, to will. It is the free sovereign creative will, decision, decree of God" (TDNT). His decisions are always perfect. God is so bright that nothing can cast a shadow on Him. He does not change. He is immutable.

God gives birth

God gives birth to a new creation in the believer (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:3; John 1:13; 15:16; Eph. 1:5; 1 John 3:9; Rom. 12:1-2;). The work of regeneration is God's work. The "word of truth" is the instrument because God honors and uses the word of truth, both written and spoken. The Bible is God's written revelation of Himself to sinful men and His message is clear (Acts 4:12; Rom. 3:23; 6:23). It is by the truth of God that we are set free from sin and error. Jesus makes this clear in John 8:31f.

The "word of truth" is the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:13; Col. 15) and the word of life (1 John 1:1). God's word is the truth (John 17:17), and the words of Jesus are spirit and life to the spiritually dead (John 6:63). The word of truth quickens unto life (2 Cor. 6:7). "James emphasizes the importance of the human element in the new birth, while rightly making God supreme in the act of regeneration. We must reach men with the word of God" (Robertson).

Once we yield to the pleasure of sin and enjoy its fruit it becomes easier and easier with each yielding to go back to it and then it becomes a sinful habit. The more we yield and enjoy the fruit the harder it becomes to intervene. May God help us to learn to say no early in life.

I think it is helpful to observe two important men in the Bible who faced similar temptation and how they responded to it.

TWO PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE PROCESS OF TEMPTATION

The plot, the passion and the persuasion are all here in the experiences of two men of success in the Old Testament.

King David

King David was enjoying a time of prosperity and peace in his reign. The plot is simply told in 2 Samuel 11:1-21, 24, 27.   “Then it happened” is one of the saddest chapters in the Bible. It is the tragedy of a sinful look of the right man in the wrong place. The king should have been with his army doing battle defending the nation from invaders. “David stayed at Jerusalem” (v. 1) and at evening time he got up from his rest and walked around on the roof of his house taking in the fresh air and relaxing. His mind probably wasn’t idle. Jesus said, “the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders” (Matthew 15:18-19). The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked. “And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful in appearance” (v. 2). I don’t know if that was David’s habit, if this was the first occasion or various occasions when he saw the woman.

David could have dropped the matter right there, but instead of getting himself occupied with the affairs of state he “sent and inquired about the woman” (v. 3). We move from the plot to the passion. He began to play with his passions and to plot the fulfillment of his desires. “So David sent and inquired about the woman” (v. 3). There was still time to stop the pursuit of his lust. When he investigated he found out she was already married, “the wife or Uriah.” Hey David! This is a married woman. Stop. Think. Don’t be stupid. Don’t get carried away with your passions. This isn’t love; it is lust.

“David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her. . . And the woman conceived . . . and said, ‘I am pregnant’” (v. 14). And then the adultery proceeded to intrigue, lying, cover-up and murder (vv. 6-21). “But the thing David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD” (v. 27). This was the turning point in the life and reign of David. Everything from this time onward in his life went down hill until he died.

Let’s observe another outstanding man in the Bible who was faced with similar circumstances.

Joseph in Egypt

Joseph was a teenager from a prominent Jewish family who was sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt. The captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguards purchased Joseph to be a slave in his household. We are told “The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2). The Egyptian official saw that Joseph was blessed of God and how he prospered along with Jospeh’s prosperity. Joseph became the “personal servant” and “overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in Joseph’s charge” (v. 4). As with David, Joseph was experiencing the blessings of God and success. The LORD even “blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph” (v. 5). Potiphar profited from Joseph’s walk with the LORD God. Potiphar had such confidence in Joseph “he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge and did not concern himself with anything except for the food which he ate . . . “ Confidence, trust, integrity, power; it was all in Joseph’s hands.

Mrs. Potiphar provides the plot (v. 6) “Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance” (v. 6). The plot and opportunity was present, “ . . . his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me’” (v. 7). He was like any other red-blooded Jew. What would you do with that opportunity? The plot, the passion of a lifetime was present. The persuasion is going with full force. Ok, Mr. Joseph, what will you do? Will you stop temptation in its tracts? Will you go after it?

“He refused” (v. 8). It wasn’t like this was the only opportunity with temptation. She kept it up day after day (v. 10). Listen to Joseph’s reasoning: “He refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God? As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside” (vv. 8-12). It was then that she played what psychologists call the game of “rapeo” on Joseph. She set him up, pursued him and then when her plot failed cried rape.

Joseph did not pursue the passion. Even though he was pursued daily by the woman he would be alone with her, he fled and went outside (v. 9, 10, 12). That is the time when you don’t be gentle with your emotions. Most of us do not resist temptation until it draws blood.

Joseph was persuaded by higher goals (v. 21, 23). “How could I do this great evil, and sin against God” (v. 9). “But the LORD was with Joseph” (v. 21). “The LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper” (v. 23). The writer of Proverbs said, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”

A moment for truth

The believers in James' day were "the first fruits among His creatures." The Israelites in the Old Testament offered the first part of their crops in thanksgiving and dedication to God as an acknowledgement that the whole harvest belonged to God. There is more to come in His grace. Christ is the real "first fruits" (1 Cor. 15:20). God has in store great blessings for His people.

These Jewish believers in the Messiah were like the first handful of grain or fruit that ripens in the field before the rest of the crop. Down through the last 2,000 years there has been an abundant harvest of souls for God's kingdom. Some scholars see the reference to "first fruits" as Jewish believers in the Messiah. It is most likely a reference to those who first believed on Christ at Pentecost and shortly thereafter to whom James is writing.

Just the opposite of temptation, God is the author of regeneration. Lust gives birth to sin and death. God's Word gives birth to eternal life. Just the opposite of lust, sin and death is the Word of truth, new birth and eternal life. The instrument God uses to bring spiritual birth is His Word. It is sharp, like a two-edged sword and powerful. It penetrates to our inner most depths and reveals our sin and points us to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The greatest and most important gift of God is the new birth. Though we are "dead in trespasses and sins" God gives us spiritual life.

"The Word of truth" is the Good News that God loves us and sent His Son to die as our substitute on the cross and the moment we believe He gives us God's kind of life. It is eternal life that begins the moment we believe and lasts as long as God lives. It is "the exercise of His will." Our good works, or virtues, or religious life cannot influence Him because we are dead spiritually until He "brings us forth by the word of truth." A dead person does not have any influence. He is dead, without life. In God's sight we are dead spiritually because of our depravity. In His awesome grace God chose you and me to be "holy and without blemish before Him." He adopted us as His sons and daughters through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-5). Lost sinful men are made His sons when we hear and respond to His free offer of salvation. James calls it "the word of truth" (v. 18). Paul called it "the message of truth" (Eph. 1:13), the "word of truth, the gospel" (Col. 1:5).

I pray that if you have never come to a place in your spiritual life when you repented--turned from sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone to save you, that you will right now.

THE POWER TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

There is power in the blood of Jesus Christ

God has provided the born again believer a bar of soap to use when we sin. It is found in 1 John 1:9-10, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." When we acknowledge and confess to Him our sin He is gracious to cleanse us.

Please do not take lightly personal sin in the life of the Christian. It is serious business. Yes, we sin daily, but let's claim God's provision for an intimate daily walk with Him.

There is power in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit

Romans 6:11 tells us to "reckon" on the fact that "we are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." It is our responsibility to "consider," be constantly counting upon the fact, reckon" upon the living presence of Jesus Christ in us.

Faith talks. It is always talking. It often sounds something like this: Lord, Jesus help me keep my heart tender toward You. I want only Your best for my life. I need Your help. Get my mind off this selfish desire and refocused on You and the task at hand. Lord, I don’t' want to blow my intimacy with You today. Help me! I want your indwelling Spirit to take control of my mind and heart. I yield myself to You. It is most helpful to begin the day with a simple commitment of yourself to Christ: Lord Jesus I give this day to You. I don't know what I am going to face today, but I want you to live Your life through me. Keep me from sin. Give me wisdom.

My personal responsibility

Our response to temptation is squarely a matter of our own personal choice and responsibility. Let the world play its blame game; we will assume our own personal responsibility. Avoid the temptation to blame God because it is a low view of God. Everything deserving the name "good" comes from God's hand. God deserves our praise, not our blame.

Don't play the blame game with God. When our daughters were small children one day one of them hit her sister. When my wife inquired into the matter the one who hit the other said, "I didn't do it the hand did!" It is easy for us to blame the hand instead of assuming our own personal responsibility.

What is the inevitable consequence if I respond to this temptation? We are free to choose but we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. The consequences are a terrible price to pay.

Spend some time reflecting on God's Word and deciding now how you will respond to your weak areas. If you have a problem with sexual desire for someone beside your husband or wife, put some pictures of your spouse and children in your wallet so you can pull them out and show them to your "friend." If you travel a lot take a framed picture of your spouse and place it on the lamp stand by the phone in your hotel room. Do some preventive maintenance in your marriage relationship now before it is too late. It is still true, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

You may find it helpful to put a rubber band on your wrist and the moment the mind starts thinking, dwelling, pondering and imagining the joys of evil pull the rubber band back and give yourself a good biting sting. Then immediately call to mind a verse of Scripture and say it out loud to yourself. Pull the stinger out while you still have a chance! Make yourself call to mind the consequences of sin and ask for God's help. Remind yourself that the sting of sin is death and quote a pre-selected verse of Scripture that will reinforce in your mind and heart back on the "things that are excellent" in Christ. You will find it helpful to write out some Scriptures on 3"x5" cards and have them at your workstation, pocket or purse.

SOME ABIDING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

There are many practical applications in the passage from James. Let's consider several.

Only when we have a new nature can we overcome temptation.

James 1:17-18 reminds us the only solution is a new birth. We need to be born again. Our depravity demands that we have a spiritual birth.

When we trifle with impure desire, the seed of unrighteousness is always there.  

Deal with passions now before they get out of hand. If you have a problem get help now. Talk with your pastor or a Christian counselor.

When we triumph over temptation we go on to greater triumphs. 

There is definitely joy when we face and overcome a long-standing temptation.

When we fail it is easy to fail again.

If you keep on yielding to your passions it will not be long before you become a hostage to them. What is your favorite bait? Where are you most susceptible to temptation? How do you respond to it? What desire in your inner being does it arouse? What is the enticement? What have you chosen to do in the past? What will you choose to do now?

What do you choose to let your mind dwell on? Phil. 4:8; Prov. 23:7

Victory comes through dwelling on the truth of God's Word. Don't be deceived. Don't believe a lie. Act on what you know to be the truth. You will not have a reservoir of truth stored up in the mind if you don't get into God's Word.

I am convinced the reason people do not want to get seriously involved in God's Word is because they know if they do they will be held accountable. But in truth we will be held accountable on judgment day regardless. It will be a greater judgment against us because we choose not to seek the truth now while we had a chance in this life.

When we yield to temptation and sin there is a perfect remedy.  God is willing to forgive. 

When you use the soap will you also ask God to give you the power to truly repent? Will you make a choice to assume your responsibility and grow in Christ? You will find it helpful to get a couple of mature Christians whom you can trust to hold you accountable to God. The only behavior that changes is observed behavior. Explain to them you need to grow in this area of your life and ask them to hold you accountable to themselves and God.

In order to triumph over temptation we must reckon on God's perfect provision.  Rom. 6:11

We as Christians must never regard sin lightly; it is the adversary's attempt to rob Christ of His possession in us, and to rob us of our life in Christ.