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The
Devil Made Me Do It & Other Excuses
James
1:13-15
Intro:
Oscar Wilde Said: “The only way to get rid of a
temptation is to yield to it”
What is temptation?
Webster’s – enticement or inducement, as to
something immoral; attraction
Biblical Definition #1 – trials with a beneficial
purpose and effect – I Pet 1:6-7; Jam 1:2
# 2 – trial definitely to lead to wrong-doing
– Luke 4:13; 8:13; I Tim 6:9
# 3 – trying or challenging God by men – Heb
3:8-9
Does God tempt man? – Jam 1:13
Does God test man? – Gen 22:1
Test vs. Temptations
Tests
Men test fellow men
To explore and measure capacities
(boxing)
I Kings 10:1; Mark 8:11
Men test God
Defiant behaviors
Num 14:22; Mal 3:15; Acts 15:10
God tests men
Situations to reveal quality of faith
and devotion
Gen 22:1; Ex 16:4; Jude 2:22
To purify us – I Pet 1:6-7;
Ps 66:10
Strengthens, patience, maturity
– Jam 1:2-4, 12; I Pet 5:10
Greater assurance of love – Rom
5:3-5
Faithfulness leads to approval
– Jam 1:12; I Cor 11:19
Temptations
Satan tests God’s people (As
God Allows)
Manipulating circumstances to cause
desertion or hardship and pain
Job; I Pet 5:8 (lion on hunt)
Urging to wrong fulfillment of
natural desires
Matt 4:3-11; I Cor 7:5
Misrepresenting God to them
Can even quote scripture – Matt
4:5-6; Gen 3:4-5; II Cor 11:14
The desire which impels to sin, not
God’s but man’s
Jam 1:14-15
Sources Of Temptations
Satan - Matt 4:3
How does Satan tempt us? – Eph
6:16
Men - Mark
8:11
Flesh - Jam 1:13-15; Gal 4:14
Never Of God
Seven Steps In
Temptation (vv. 14-15)
Tempted – Thoughts of evil – v. 14
Drawn Away – Strong Imaginations – v. 14
Lust – Delight in viewing it – v. 14
Enticed – Weakening of the will – v. 14
Lust Conceived – yielding – v. 15
Sin – Sinful Act Committed – v. 15
Death – Result of actual sin – v. 15
Responses To
Temptation
Fall Away – Luke 8:13
Stand – I Cor 10:13
Escape – I Cor 10:13; II Pet 2:9
Ways To Defend Against
Temptation
Put on armor – Eph 6:10-18
Pray – Matt 7:7-11; 26:41
Take stand / endure – Jam 1:12; I Pet
5:9
Look for way out - I Cor 10:13; II Pet 2:9
Hope
– Rev 2:10
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