Bible Study - Pressure Points - The Pressure of Temptation - James 1:13-18 - September 8, 2013

Bible Study – Pressure Points – The Pressure of Temptation – September 8, 2013

This is lesson two in our series entitled “Pressure Points.”

Our scripture is James 1:13-18.

The Greek word used for tempt can mean “to test” or “to tempt” depending on the context. GOD allowed HIS only Son to be tempted at the beginning of HIS ministry by Satan. Yes, GOD will allow Satan to test HIS children. A test can turn into a temptation, which, in turn, can result in sin. GOD knows the end result of a test but the person being tested does not know. A test is for the benefit of the person being tested. It points to flaws which may not be apparent to the person. So why do it? It is to reveal and fix a flaw, if present, to make us more useable.

Luke 4:1

1 Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, He was hungry. 3 The Devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.” 5 So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” 9 So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you, 11 and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. ” 12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.” 13 After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Ministry in Galilee 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity. 15 He was teaching in their • synagogues, being acclaimed by everyone.

JESUS, full of the Spirit, was led into the wilderness for 40 days. JESUS was full of the Spirit. Often, temptation or a test follows a time when Christians have experienced a special Spiritual time in their lives.

Have you been to a Christian conference, worship service or Bible study and experienced the presence of the LORD and you are Spiritually, so-to-speak, filled to the brim? And when you return home or to work everything just seems to go wrong?

At the conference or meeting you were on the Spiritual mountain top fellowshipping with GOD, fellowshipping with fellow Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit and then returned to the routine of life. You go from the Spiritual mountain top to the valley of despair dealing with the reality of life. Most often our Spiritual growth takes place in the valley.

We live in a sinful world and when we return to the realities of life, these are the places where we can apply what we learned on the Spiritual mountain top. Satan’s desire is to rob us of our witness for the LORD and for us, who know the truth, not to apply what has been revealed to us. So we often experience chaos. That is when we need to pause, pray and talk with the LORD.

We need to keep in mind that JESUS was 100% human and as such HE was tempted in the same ways as any human.

The fact GOD allowed JESUS to be tempted confirmed HIS humanity. If JESUS was GOD, then the temptation was mute because GOD cannot be tempted. Of course, the other confirmation of JESUS’ humanity was confirmed in the fact that HE died. When GOD resurrected JESUS, HE was fully GOD in HIS Glorified body which is suitable for both earth and heaven.

JESUS had nothing to eat for 40 days and HE was hungry. The scripture did not say HE did not have anything to drink, being human HE needed water.

Satan comes when he thinks we are the most vulnerable. JESUS knew that HIS time had come to begin HIS ministry. Satan tempts by appealing to our human nature and needs. Just imagine how Satan must have tempted JESUS to turn the stones, which looked like bread into bread. Satan may have said something like, “JESUS, You are the promised Messiah and You are about to starve to death. A dead Messiah is of no use to GOD. Certainly, GOD wants You to use Your power to save Yourself. After all You are the promised Messiah. You have the power and GOD, Your Father, wants You to use it rather than depending upon HIM to provide You with food! Why else would HE give You such power? Now is the time GOD wants You to try Your power out.” JESUS was tempted and HE had to make a choice, do I do this to test My Spiritual powers or do I depend upon My Father to provide for me? I think, the temptation of JESUS was the most intense any human has ever been subjected to. A disobedient Messiah would have been useless.

Notice how JESUS dealt with Satan, HE quoted scripture to him and JESUS relied upon scripture to lead and guide HIM. HE set the example for how all Christians are to respond when dealing with Satan and the temptations of everyday life.

Also notice in verse 10, that Satan knows the scripture as well and he quoted it to JESUS. Christians need to know scripture, understand it and apply it as they journey through life in harmony with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christians must walk in the Spirit. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour. A roaring lion is a hungry lion, which is ready to pounce upon his prey. Christians must stay ready.

I have heard Christians, who had certain addictions, printing scripture on cards and taking the scripture cards with them wherever they went. When they faced temptation, they would refer to the scripture cards. Building the power to resist temptation did not happen overnight, it takes time and perseverance. It is important for all Christians to keep their focus upon the LORD JESUS and HIS power through scripture memory or use scripture cards and rely upon the indwelling Holy Spirit.

All Christians will be tempted but is the temptation a trial or a temptation? It is not a matter of if but when temptation comes our way. A trial can turn into a temptation. The intent of a trial is to help Christians grow and mature Spiritually. A trial can turn into a temptation. How can that happen? Temptation comes from within and reveals a character flaw. When the character flaw is revealed we have a choice. Do we do something to bring it under control and bring healing or do we let it remain in our lives because we enjoy it being there.

Often, when Christians are tempted they keep it quite. That is exactly what Satan wants. Cover it up after all you have the power to resist. When temptation comes our way, I think we need to confide in our spouse or our best Christian friend, who I hope for all married folks their best friend is their spouse. When we try to hide it, Satan knows it is just a matter of time until we yield to the temptation. He has been at it for a long, long time.

Our pastor did the right things when he sensed that he was in the early stages of mid-life crisis. The first person he told was his wife. That was wise.   

GOD tested Abraham when HE told him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. That meant Isaac would be killed, burned and rendered a pile of ashes. Abraham had faith that GOD would raise Isaac from the ashes and restore his life. How do we know that? Genesis 22:4-6:

4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.

What if Abraham was tempted to go through with the sacrifice as GOD had directed him, even after GOD provided the sacrificial animal in the bushes, just to test GOD and prove to himself that HE would restore Isaac?  Christians or people have to be careful that they do not test GOD to prove HIS existence or HIS power in their lives.

We see that JESUS responded to Satan with scripture and Satan responded to JESUS with scripture. That is why Christians need to know the Bible and memorize scripture. Scripture is a Christian’s weapon when he/she battles temptation or succumbs to it and sins. JESUS quoted scripture each time Satan tried to tempt HIM.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Temptation is inherent in being human. As stated, as we began the study of this lesson, the Greek word can mean “to test” or “to tempt.” GOD tests but HE does not tempt. Temptation comes from our flesh nature. Commonly we think of being tempted to sin sexually but we can be tempted to try drugs, steal, gamble, embezzle, over eat, become involved with pornography and list goes on and on. The pleasure of sin is temporary, fleeting and has consequences. Christians are tempted but they must consider that sin is most often enslaving and leads to destruction. When Christians choose not to yield to sin, it leads them to Spiritual growth, maturity and obedient service as led by the Holy Spirit. But when they do sin, they are to confess and repent. GOD forgives and restores. 1 John 1:9.

Let’s read James 1:13:

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.

Most of us want to point to someone else as the cause of our sin. Often, we might say, “The devil made me do it” or “GOD tempted me.” It all began in the Garden of Eden. It is called the “transfer of guilt.” Notice in Genesis 3:10-13 when GOD questioned Adam about what happened:

10 And he (Adam) said, “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” 11 Then He asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 Then the man replied, “The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 So the Lord God asked the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate.”

Pointing to someone else for our sin began a long time ago.

GOD will allow Christians to be tested but HE does not tempt them but as stated earlier, temptation can result in sin. It is up to us. We are in control of what we allow into our minds and hearts.

But when we do sin, 1 John 1:8-10 reveals:

8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

In our next scripture, James gives us the anatomy of sin.

Let’s read James 1:14-15:  (The anatomy of sin.)

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

The path to sin starts within each person. He, as used here, applies to male or female. Christians are dawn away from what they know is the right thing they should do. Keep in mind that Satan’s desire is to defeat and destroy any human, Christian or non-Christian. We were born into a sinful world and our nature is to sin. The Greek word for “sin” is missing the mark. The idea was the archer shooting an arrow at a target with a bull’s-eye on it and missing it.

The path to sin is to withdraw from GOD first of all and others who care for us. Our internal desires kick in when we have withdrawn from that which keeps us from doing that which we know we should not do.

After our desire kicks in and our inhibitions have been either removed or neutralized, conception takes place. Once conceived, the deed is done, unless an abortion takes place in our lives.

As with any conception, the result, unless aborted, is a birth. In this case, the birth is sin. When sin is fully grown it results in death. People do have an opportunity to nick what has been conceived in the bud and terminate the process but most often they let it go to completion, which is death. Sin leads to death.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:23a – “For the wages of sin is death” (NIV)

Death means spiritual death or eternal death. Sin results in the death of a relationship with GOD. Sin is a barrier. Just as physical death terminates our fellowship and relationship with the deceased person. Sin breaks our relationship and fellowship with CHRIST. Regarding sin, only confession and repentance can bring back life and restore our relationship and fellowship with GOD through CHRIST.

Let’s read the second part of Romans 6:23b – “but the gift of GOD is eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD” (NIV)

James focuses our attention on the source of our sin. Sin results from the desires, cravings and lust of the person leading and enticing him/her. We can think of these as seeds. When we plant a seed it has to be placed in the right soil, fertilized, proper environment and watered. When nurtured it produces a product.

The things Christians allow to come into their lives produce a product. When Christians allow GOD’S Word to come into their lives, it produces a product, fruit of the Spirit. When Christians allow the things of the world into their lives they produce a product. Some things are benign and others can enslave.

James tells us that conception takes place when we allow things to enter our lives. Good things produce good fruit and bad things produce bad fruit. Every human chooses what he/she allows into his/her life. Only the power of GOD can free us from the bad that we allow into our lives.

Let’s read James 1:16-18:

16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the • firstfruits of His creatures.

James made it clear in verse 16 that he was writing to his brothers and sisters in CHRIST, those who had experienced the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. Fellow Christians were GOD’S children and therefore his siblings. Some Christians get the notion that once they are born into GOD’S family, everything in life is supposed to go well. The Jews had the notion, if things went wrong in a person’s life, he /she had sinned and GOD was punishing that person. Consider Job.

In verse 17, James wanted his fellow Christians to focus on the truth of the miracle of rebirth, the gift GOD had given them. GOD did not have to do it but because HE did, it revealed HIS love and HIS heart toward all who place their faith in CHRIST. The gift of rebirth comes from GOD as the result of HIS love, mercy and grace.

HIS love for a Christian does not change when things don’t seem to go as they should in a Christian’s life. Often, Christians think that GOD is against them. GOD is the unchanging, the steady, trustworthy source of Spiritual light to all who live in Spiritual darkness, as well as to all Christians. HE is right there with all HIS children when they go through tough times. HE sends HIS angels to protect those who are to receive Salvation. Yes, those who are to receive salvation have guardian angels. They respond according the GOD’S orders.

Those who worshipped pagan gods had to be careful how they approached one of their pagan gods or the tone of voice they used when speaking to them because they claimed these false gods were fickle. You could make them mad and they would not do anything for those who worshipped them. Of course, these gods were dead and unresponsive. They were mere man-made objects made from stone or wood.

GOD is not fickle. GOD, The Father of CHRIST is the source of true Spiritual light. Because GOD is the source of true Spiritual light, HIS message of salvation through CHRIST is true and will never change. Salvation is just the beginning of the process for growing and maturing Spiritually. It is the process of sanctification.

Salvation, through faith in CHRIST, was not a plan devised by man. It was GOD’S choice, HIS plan and HIS gift to mankind to all who will place their faith in CHRIST because of HIS love, mercy and grace for humans. Just as CHRIST was the first to be resurrected from the dead and to receive HIS Glorified body, so will those who place their faith in HIM receive eternal life and at the second coming of CHRIST they will receive their Glorified body. CHRIST was the firstfruits of a bountiful Spiritual harvest through faith in CHRIST.

The Jews were familiar with the practice of giving the first of their harvest to GOD when the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land. The practice is referred to in Deuteronomy 26:9-10:

9 He led us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 I have now brought the first of the land’s produce that You, Lord, have given me.

The Israelites recognized that GOD had brought them to the Promised Land and the bounty of the land was HIS gift to them. The resurrected JESUS is GOD’S gift to all mankind and it is HIS assurance of eternal life to all who place their faith in CHRIST. Only GOD can produce a product. If GOD had not given mankind food and food that reproduces, mankind would be extinct. Most of us take food for granted and do not realize that our existence depends upon it. Our eternal existence depends upon GOD, HIS mercy, grace, love and the passion of CHRIST.

JESUS is the firstfruit Who died as a human and by doing so conquered death. As proof, GOD resurrected CHRIST physically from the dead, as the firstfruit, to confirm that JESUS paid the price for sin in full. Not only was CHRIST resurrected as a human but GOD gave HIM HIS new Glorified body, which every Christian will receive at the second coming of CHRIST.

Until then, Christians who exit their earth suit in physical death have a special Spiritual body fashioned by GOD for them to use in heaven while waiting for HIS return. When HE returns those who have died receive their new Glorified bodies as well as the Christians who are alive upon earth. All will return to heaven with CHRIST and tribulation will begin upon earth.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corintiahns 15:20-23:

20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

Every person that places his/her faith in CHRIST receives forgiveness for their sin, eternal life, the miracle of rebirth into the family of GOD, citizenship in heaven and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Once a person is born into GOD’S family, he/she will never be unborn. Christians must keep in mind that obedience does have eternal rewards.

It is GOD’S desire for all of HIS children to become fully mature Christians. That does not happen in a flash. It is a process called sanctification. Being a Christian is not easy but the rewards are beyond our imagination or comprehension. The choice is up to each individual.

First, a person chooses whether or not to accept CHRIST as his/her Savior and if he/she does, then the choice is whether or not to obediently serve HIM. Some get their fire insurance and stop. The abundant life comes from yielding your life to CHRIST and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your life. It will not be easy but it is an awesome journey. Blessings!!!