Bradley United Methodist Church

September 16, 2007
Rev. Terry D. Campbell

The Lord’s Prayer: God’s Guidance
James 1:12-18

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

¹³When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

People’s oldest problem is temptation. It goes all the way back to Adam. We all eventually face it. Sometimes even when you know what's right to do it’s difficult to say “No.”

The Bible talks about two different kinds of testing. Both of them use the same word in Greek – “peirasmos”. Sometimes it’s translated “trials”, sometimes “temptations”. It doesn’t matter because sometimes a situation can be both a trial and a temptation. But to distinguish them—trials are situations designed by God to help us grow. Temptations are designed by the devil in order to cause us to sin.

Let’s look at God’s guidance for facing temptation

1. Be Realistic

You will be tempted. Christians are tempted. All of us are tempted. “When tempted ...” not “if tempted...” Just like trials, temptations are inevitable. 1 Corinthians 10:13-“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” “Circle” “common to man” That means we’re all in the same boat. We all have the same temptations, the same problems.

It is not a sin to be tempted. Hebrew 4:15-“Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are yet he sinned not.” He was tempted but He never gave in. Temptation shows you’re human, not that you’re evil.

2. Be responsible

Accept responsibility. Don’t blame other people for your problems, including God. Vs. 13-“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” Will Rogers said you could summarize American history into two great movements: the passing of the buffalo and the passing of the buck.

Don’t make your bad choices and then blame them on God. God does not tempt. God is not going to tell you one thing and have the Bible say something different. If the Bible says something and you say something different, you’re wrong. Be responsible. Don’t blame God and don’t blame other people. It’s a sign of immaturity.

The fact is we bring our sins on ourselves. If I’m ever going to break those bad habits, first I have to be realistic: I am tempted. Then number two, I’ve got to be responsible and quit making excuses.

3. Be ready

Peter says, “Be on your guard.” Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.” Paul said, “Put on the whole armor of God”. Be prepared for it.

“Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Don’t be deceived my dear brothers...” Circle “deceived” –we need to be ready and prepared for temptation.

How do you prepare for temptation? By understanding how it operates. 2 Corinthians 2:11-“In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.”

James outlines the four steps that the devil uses in order to tempt you.

If temptation begins with our inner thoughts then changing what we think about is the key to overcoming it. The key to overcoming temptation is not to fight temptation but refocus your thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says “Think on these things, things that are good, positive, just, honest.”

Focus your mind on the goodness of God. Focus on what you do want. Are you a chronic worrier? It’s because you’re doubting the goodness of God. Whatever gets your attention, gets you. Stop fighting it, and refocus. It’s a choice.

Don’t try to argue with the devil. When you refocus, it may mean physically removing yourself from the situation. If you don’t want to get stung, get away from the bees. Maybe you need to change the channel on the TV. Maybe you need to walk out of that movie. Maybe you need to change jobs. Maybe you need to change a car pool. Joseph was in a tempting situation and he left his coat and ran. If you have to leave your coat, leave your coat. 1 Corinthians 15:33-"Bad company corrupts good character.”

The single most important principle in breaking bad habits and getting control of your life is to let God have control of it. Get Him in your life so He can start changing your character. Being born again gives you a new capacity to resist temptation. You don’t have enough power in your own willpower. You need some supernatural power. You need Jesus Christ in your life.

What is your most vulnerable area this morning? God knows it. Have you ever figured it out? It’s stupid to put yourself in situations that will automatically tempt your weakest area. Figure it out and say, “God, You know where I’ve fallen. I want a clean slate and to start over.”

1 Corinthians 10:13, "God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it." What a great promise! God says, “I will make a way out if you trust Me.” You can’t pray “Lord, lead us not into temptation” at the same time you’re flirting with temptation. You’ve got to co-operate.

Satan is baiting you for a trap. What is it that you want in your life so badly that you’re willing to compromise in order to get it? A promotion? A thrill? Confess it to God. The time to deal with temptation is right at the start. When it starts in the desire stage, nip it in the bud. Lean on the fellowship of other Christians for support and encouragement. Get into God’s word. The Bible is the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Fill your mind with this book. Refocus on it. If you know the truth it will keep you from being deceived. If you want to know how Satan attacks, study the Bible. Amen.

	Bradley United Methodist Church AN HISTORIC CHURCH LIVING FOR TODAY, WITH A VISION FOR TOMORROW 210 W. Main Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140-2097 Telephone: 317-462-2662 E-Mail: info@BradleyUMC.org Our purpose is to grow people to: magnify God, become members of Christ and His Church, be mature in Christ, minister through Christ, and be in mission with Christ.
Home Bradley's Staff Calendar Sermons Programs Current Newsletter (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®) Bradley Preschool Video Tour (requires Real Player®)	September 16, 2007 Rev. Terry D. Campbell The Lord’s Prayer: God’s Guidance James 1:12-18 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ¹³When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ¹⁶Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” People’s oldest problem is temptation. It goes all the way back to Adam. We all eventually face it. Sometimes even when you know what's right to do it’s difficult to say “No.” The Bible talks about two different kinds of testing. Both of them use the same word in Greek – “peirasmos”. Sometimes it’s translated “trials”, sometimes “temptations”. It doesn’t matter because sometimes a situation can be both a trial and a temptation. But to distinguish them—trials are situations designed by God to help us grow. Temptations are designed by the devil in order to cause us to sin. Let’s look at God’s guidance for facing temptation 1. Be Realistic You will be tempted. Christians are tempted. All of us are tempted. “When tempted ...” not “if tempted...” Just like trials, temptations are inevitable. 1 Corinthians 10:13-“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” “Circle” “common to man” That means we’re all in the same boat. We all have the same temptations, the same problems. It is not a sin to be tempted. Hebrew 4:15-“Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are yet he sinned not.” He was tempted but He never gave in. Temptation shows you’re human, not that you’re evil. 2. Be responsible Accept responsibility. Don’t blame other people for your problems, including God. Vs. 13-“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” Will Rogers said you could summarize American history into two great movements: the passing of the buffalo and the passing of the buck. Don’t make your bad choices and then blame them on God. God does not tempt. God is not going to tell you one thing and have the Bible say something different. If the Bible says something and you say something different, you’re wrong. Be responsible. Don’t blame God and don’t blame other people. It’s a sign of immaturity. The fact is we bring our sins on ourselves. If I’m ever going to break those bad habits, first I have to be realistic: I am tempted. Then number two, I’ve got to be responsible and quit making excuses. 3. Be ready Peter says, “Be on your guard.” Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation.” Paul said, “Put on the whole armor of God”. Be prepared for it. “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Don’t be deceived my dear brothers...” Circle “deceived” –we need to be ready and prepared for temptation. How do you prepare for temptation? By understanding how it operates. 2 Corinthians 2:11-“In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.” James outlines the four steps that the devil uses in order to tempt you. v. 14 “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires...” -- the first step of temptation is desire. It’s an inside job. Most desires are OK. You couldn’t live without desires: a desire to eat, drink, sleep, the sexual desire, to accomplish. God gives us these desires. But any desire out of control becomes destructive. Satan loves to take routine desires and turn them into runaway desires. You are consumed, obsessed by it. It’s often the fulfillment of a legitimate desire in the wrong way at the wrong time. The second step is deception. “He is dragged away and enticed ...” James uses a couple of terms from the sports world. The word "dragged away" is a hunter’s term which literally means “snared in a trap”. “Enticed” is a fisherman’s term which means “lured by bait”. What kind of bait does the devil use on you? He knows your hot button. He knows your weakness. Disobedience. “Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin.” What begins in your mind results in an action. The battle starts with your thoughts and imagination. It moves from your thoughts into actions. People say, “What’s the danger in a harmless fantasy?” What starts in your mind eventually comes out in your life. Death. “Sin, when full grown gives birth to death.” That’s the tragic consequence of giving in. What is death? The exact opposite of living. If you overcome temptation you get the crown of life, but the wages of sin are death – we’re free to choose any way we want to live. I am free to have my kicks, but I am not free to eliminate the kickbacks. I am free to make choices, but I’m not free to choose the consequences. 4. Be refocused If temptation begins with our inner thoughts then changing what we think about is the key to overcoming it. The key to overcoming temptation is not to fight temptation but refocus your thoughts. Philippians 4:8 says “Think on these things, things that are good, positive, just, honest.” Focus your mind on the goodness of God. Focus on what you do want. Are you a chronic worrier? It’s because you’re doubting the goodness of God. Whatever gets your attention, gets you. Stop fighting it, and refocus. It’s a choice. Don’t try to argue with the devil. When you refocus, it may mean physically removing yourself from the situation. If you don’t want to get stung, get away from the bees. Maybe you need to change the channel on the TV. Maybe you need to walk out of that movie. Maybe you need to change jobs. Maybe you need to change a car pool. Joseph was in a tempting situation and he left his coat and ran. If you have to leave your coat, leave your coat. 1 Corinthians 15:33-"Bad company corrupts good character.” 5. Be reborn The single most important principle in breaking bad habits and getting control of your life is to let God have control of it. Get Him in your life so He can start changing your character. Being born again gives you a new capacity to resist temptation. You don’t have enough power in your own willpower. You need some supernatural power. You need Jesus Christ in your life. What is your most vulnerable area this morning? God knows it. Have you ever figured it out? It’s stupid to put yourself in situations that will automatically tempt your weakest area. Figure it out and say, “God, You know where I’ve fallen. I want a clean slate and to start over.” 1 Corinthians 10:13, "God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it." What a great promise! God says, “I will make a way out if you trust Me.” You can’t pray “Lord, lead us not into temptation” at the same time you’re flirting with temptation. You’ve got to co-operate. What will you do now? Satan is baiting you for a trap. What is it that you want in your life so badly that you’re willing to compromise in order to get it? A promotion? A thrill? Confess it to God. The time to deal with temptation is right at the start. When it starts in the desire stage, nip it in the bud. Lean on the fellowship of other Christians for support and encouragement. Get into God’s word. The Bible is the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Fill your mind with this book. Refocus on it. If you know the truth it will keep you from being deceived. If you want to know how Satan attacks, study the Bible. Amen.


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Bradley United Methodist Church

AN HISTORIC CHURCH LIVING FOR TODAY,WITH A VISION FOR TOMORROW

AN HISTORIC CHURCH LIVING FOR TODAY,
WITH A VISION FOR TOMORROW