Who is tempting me?

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

These verses explain who is not tempting you, ( soliciting, and enticing you to sin ) and where temptation does come from. And, it explains the process of temptation, leading to it's ultimate end, and concludes with a warning not to be deceived about this important issue.

We ought not never to blame God when we are being tempted to sin. Why? Because He cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone to sin. The temptation to sin, comes from within ourselves, when we are drawn away by our own desires or lusts. And, when we give into those lusts, or desires, that's when sin takes place, and sin when it is fully grown brings death.

So, that's where temptation comes from. Not from God, but from within ourselves.

Apparently, some of James's readers were confused about who was tempting them. These verses clear it up very well, and very simply.

Even though we are saved, we will be tempted to sin. Temptation by the way is not sin, it's merely the first step toward sin. It's temptation. The actual sin takes place when we say yes to temptation.

Question. How do we combat temptation? One major way would be Prayer. Jesus instructed us to pray, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" Also, "building ourselves up on our most holy faith" Jude. That would be by being in the Word. And, then "fellowship with one another" Acts 2:42 We find real encouragement as we share our lives with other believers.

These three things, prayer, talking to God, the Word, being in it, and fellowshipping with other christians, will help us combat temptation.

So, may You be blessed today, may God make you strong by His power and grace, to resist temptation, to turn away from it, to seek His help through prayer and by being made strong in the Word of God. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. God never allows us to be tempted more then we are able to bear.

2. He will always make a way of escape for us.

3. Remember, to be tempted is not to sin,

4. Don't be condemned because you are being tempted.

5. You may need to take practical steps to avoid temptation.

6. Look away from temptation to God.

A promise to those who endure trials...

There is a promise from God to those who endure trials. Hang in there, that blessing is coming.

God's promise to you.......

Jas 1:12* Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James calls it "Blessed", but it means, happy, and fortunate. There are a number of things told us here about the blessings that come after you get through a trial. The Word temptation here, is better rendered "Trial or testing"

One, Blessing is associated with enduring the trial.

Two, Blessings will be received by the tested person.

Three, The blessing is the "Crown of life"

Four, This blessing is promised by the Lord Himself.

Five, Notice the words, "to those who love Him"

Earlier in this chapter, James had talked about how to understand a trial, and what the Lord does in our lives through a trial. Here, he is speaking about the person who has endured, or gone through the trial, and a promise from God about that person receiving the crown of life. The blessing is the crown of life.

When a christian goes through the trial, not only do they come out the other side a more patient and enduring person, but they are happy, and they receive this crown of life from the Lord.

What is the crown of life? I believe Hebrews speaks about it.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

After the process of testing, training, chastening, this peaceable fruit of righteousness is yielded into our lives. From pressure and difficulty, to peace, and the fruit of righteousness. These are indeed blessings.

Simply put, when we go through the trial, and endure it, at the end, we are changed people, we are more patient, we are more able to endure, we have become more mature, and we enjoy a peacefulness from the Lord, and righteousness from the Lord. ( living the right way, understanding the right way, being able to encourage others in the right way )

So, God has a promise for you. Hang in there, don't grow weary, be patient, the Lord is going to get you through the trial, and He will bless you in the trial, and make you a better person for it, once you are through the trial itself.

My prayer today is for you if you are going through a time of trial, or you have just come through a trial. Lord, make Your promise real and tangible today to my brothers and sisters reading this who are in the midst of a trial. If they have just come through a trial, then together, we thank You for being faithful. Please allow us to be used by You to be a genuine source of encouragement to anyone in a trial at this time. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. He is going to get you through.

2. You cannot do it alone, He will help you.

3. He not only helps, but then blesses as well.

4. Trials change us for the better.

5. You will be more patient and peaceful.

6. God will use your experience to help others.

7. Give thanks to God, He is faithful and true.