Dealing With Temptations

The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labor. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But the enemy breached it. Not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers.

One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing with “temptations.” This is especially true for new Christians. Believe me, it can be frustrating to know that your sins have been forgiven...only to immediately find yourself bombarded by temptations to continue in your sins!

In James 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian in dealing with temptations. They are in the form of:

a. A promise to those who endure temptations;
b. A caution not to wrongfully impugn the source of those temptations;
c. An understanding of how sin develops.

Beginning with verse 12 we notice the promise, THE MAN WHO ENDURES TEMPTATION WILL BE “BLESSED”...The Greek word for “blessed” is “makarios” which means “happy, blessed.” The nature of the happiness enjoyed is described as the verse continues...

FOR AFTER HE HAS BEEN “PROVED” HE WILL RECEIVE “THE CROWN OF LIFE”...The promise is that of “eternal life.” The promise is given by Him Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The promise is given to those who “demonstrate” (prove) their love for God by their endurance of the temptations.

And so, to Christians facing temptations, first we have an encouraging word. As we read on, though, we notice a word of caution. LET NO ONE SAY THEY ARE TEMPTED BY GOD... (James 1:13) That is, to blame God for their temptations. For God is so holy: He cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone to do evil.

SO DON’T BE DECEIVED INTO SUCH THINKING... (James 1:16-18) God is the source of good, not evil! Every good and perfect gift comes from Him! As an example, it was of His Own Will that He brought us forth. Which He did by the “word of truth” (the gospel) - 1 Peter 1:22-23. So we might be a kind of “first fruits” (the “cream of the crop”) of His creatures.

This being true, certainly God would not tempt us with evil! In fact, through the words of James God gives us insight into, or the understanding of, the development of sin which can help us to overcome sin.

Here's how it (sin) develops. The first stage is temptation (Luke 1:14). This stage involves two things:

1) Lust (desires, NKJV) - a strong desire for something
2) Enticement - an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire

Put into a mathematical formula: Temptation = Desire + Opportunity! For example, a small child is tempted to steal some cookies...1) When he wants them (desire); 2) And has a good chance to get them and not be seen (opportunity). But remember, it is not a sin to be tempted (Hebrews 4:15).

The second stage in the development of sin is sin itself (James 1:15). Temptation leads to sin only when you yield and act upon it. Sin therefore requires the added step of action. Putting it again in mathematical terms: Sin = Desire + Opportunity + Action!

The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: Death (James 1:15). This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23). Ultimately such “death” involves eternal punishment (Revelation 21:8). Putting it once more in the form of an equation: Desire + Opportunity + Action + No Forgiveness = Punishment!

Sin and Satan will have overcome us if we receive this final punishment. But with this understanding of how sin develops, we are in a better position to overcome sin.

Now that we understand how sin develops, how do we overcome it? First, we must change our desires. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin. Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change our desires (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:24).

How do we change our desires? Notice that the Word of God has always been instrumental in helping people overcome sin (Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:3-10). Here's how the Word of God can change our desires...

- As we read of God’s love, longsuffering and mercy, we desire to serve Him (Psalm 116:12-14).
- As we read of sin and its damnable consequences, we come to hate it! (Psalm 119:104).

So the more we study God’s Word, the less likely we will have the desire to sin, thereby beginning to overcome sin by “nipping it in the bud”! But changing our desires takes time; while engaged in the process of changing our desires, what
else can we do?

Well, we can limit our opportunities to be tempted. Remember, we are tempted only when there is both desire and opportunity. So while we work on changing our desires, we should limit the opportunities to fulfill wrongful desires.

This can be done by asking for God’s providential help, as Jesus taught (Matthew 6:13; 26:41). We can cooperate with God by purposely avoiding situations that might excite wrongful desires. How? By following the example of David (Psalm 101:3-4), and the example of Job (Job 31:1).

We can also avoid those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin with them. Again, David sets a good example (Psalm 101:6-7), and Paul also adds his warning (1 Corinthians 15:33).

But even if we do everything above we will unlikely remove every desire and opportunity to sin in this life, what then?

We could try exercising self-control. Remember, it becomes sin when we yield to action in fulfilling our sinful desires. If we can control ourselves so as to not yield, then we can overcome sin! How does the Christian exercise self-control?

Self-control is but one aspect of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). When we become Christians, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Acts
2:38; 5:32). The Spirit is God’s instrumental agent by which He imparts strength to us (Ephesians 3:16). Strengthened by the Spirit, we are able to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:12-13). As Paul said: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

It is through faith in God’s Word that the Christian believes that he has this divine help (Ephesians 3:20). It is certainly proper to pray for it, as Paul did in behalf of the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:16). But equally important, to act upon it, trusting that you are not alone as you try to do God’s will (Philippians 2:12-13).

As an exercise commercial once said: Just do it! The Christian, then, has no excuse for yielding to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). But there may be times when we don’t take advantage of the strength God provides through His Spirit, and we sin; what then? We obtain forgiveness!

Remember that sin is victorious when it results in punishment. But if we obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we can avoid that punishment and thereby still overcome sin! (1 John 2:1-2). Yes, Christ is truly the “propitiation” for our sins!

By His blood, we were forgiven of past sins when united with Him in baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Revelation 1:5). By His blood, we can be forgiven of present sins when we repent, pray, and confess our sins to God (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). At any time the Christian can overcome sins that were committed, by repenting and confessing them to God!

In conclusion, we can indeed overcome sin by stopping its development at any one of the four stages leading to the final punishment! If you noticed carefully, you should have seen that at each of the four points in the development of
sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin...!

a. God helps us to control our desires by providing His Word to renew our minds
b. God helps us to limit the opportunities through His Providence as we pray for such
c. God helps us to exercise self-control over our actions through His Spirit strengthening the inner man
d. God helps us to obtain forgiveness through the blood of His Son as we repent and pray

So how could anyone say that God would tempt us to sin? Certainly He is the giver of every good and perfect gift! (James 1:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Colossians 10:13).

Have you taken advantage of God’s way of escape for the sins you have committed? If not, why not do so by obeying the gospel, the Word of Truth, and become one of the “first fruits of His creatures”?

Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen

God loves you!

Jerri