Trusting God When Tempted
Pastor: Taylor Braswell Topic: tempted, temptation, trust Scripture: James 1:12–18
Trusting God When Tempted
James 1:12-18
- Enduring trials is not how you are saved; it is evidence that you are already saved. (vs12)
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison – 2 Corinthians 4:17
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing - 2 Timothy 4:7-8
- You are blessed if you have a joy and satisfaction in God even during trials (vs12)
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 1:6-7
- The life of a Christian is marked by an ongoing, unchanging love for God, no matter the circumstances (vs12)
- God is sovereign over our trials, but he does not tempt us (vs13)
“Satan tempts - God tries. But the same trial may be both a temptation and a trial; and it may be a trial from God’s side, and a temptation from Satan’s side, just as Job suffered from Satan, and it was a temptation; but he also suffered from God through Satan, and so it was a trial to him.” – Charles Spurgeon
- Don’t blame God for your sin (vs13)
- God is sinless
- We are sinful (vs14)
As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out - Romans 7:18
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
- Giving into temptation leads to death (vs15)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus – Romans 6:23
- Don’t be fooled! God’s design for your life is better than sin (vs16)
- Everything good is from God, and God’s goodness is unchanging (vs17)
- God saves us according to His own will, and we are undeserving (vs18)
- God’s goodness is unending, and our salvation is a foretaste of eternity (vs18)