James 1:2-4, 12-15
I have recently enjoyed using Taco Bell as an illustration
of temptation and the Christian struggle with sin.
“Eating Taco Bell in my adult years is a good picture of
sin. At first it is a passing thought in my mind and easily dismissed. Then the
idea of a quick and cheap meal grows on me. Who doesn’t like Mexican? The added
convenience of driving right by it begins to dismantle any objections. It soon
sounds like a very good idea and I begin to crave it. I then set my focus on
pursuing it. Even in line I think of the healthier and better options at home,
but now I am placing my order. Upon receiving my food, I am excited to eat it. Almost
immediately after eating it, my stomach tells me that it wasn’t a good idea.
Later, pain and suffering ensue. Soon I am full of repentance and promising
that I will never eat there again.”
Temptation is a part of our reality. We all face it. As a
matter of fact, God’s Word tells us that “No temptation has come upon you but
what is common to everyone” (1 Cor 10:13). Everyone is faced with temptation on
a daily basis. It is what you do with temptation that makes a difference.
As believers, we find that temptation serves a purpose in
our lives; temptation is an opportunity to prove our faith. James tell us to “consider
it a joy when we face trials of various kinds.” Why be joyful in the face of temptation?
Because it is opportunity for growth and dependence on our Lord.
A sign of maturing as a Christian is that temptations are
not as strong as they used to be. Why? Because we have learned endurance and
grown in strength as we say no to sin.
A brief survey of James 1 helps us understand the Christian’s
perspective on facing temptation.
1.
It is an opportunity to grow. 1:2-4
2.
God is the source for wisdom and will give it to
us when we ask. 1:5-8
3.
Temporal treasures fade, eternal treasures last.
1:9-11
4.
Our own desires are the root of our temptation.
1:12-15
5.
God’s plan is truly for our ultimate good, we
can trust Him. 1:16-18
When we doubt God in the midst of temptation, we will fall
into sin. Temptation presents us with an alternative to God’s plan, it tells us
that God isn’t who He says He is, that He won’t do what He promises to do, and
that He isn’t powerful enough to deliver on His promises. Temptation says that
immediate gratification is better than trusting God’s plan and waiting on Him.
What temptation doesn’t tell you is the consequences of
pursuing it. It fails to mention that falling into temptation leads to sin, and
sin leads to death. Sin will take you farther than you want to go, it will keep
you longer than you want to stay and it will cost you more than you want to
pay!
The key to overcoming temptation is to get our focus on the
only One who can deliver us from sin. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews
12:2) and trust Him more than the temptation.
Paul describes the Christian’s struggle with sin and
temptation in Romans 7, and concludes with this question: “Wretched man that I
am! Who will deliver us from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)
His answer needs to be our focus: “Thanks be to God through
Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)
Jesus Christ is the answer to our struggle. As you grow in
your relationship with Him you will conquer sin and temptation. So, the way to
Crush Temptation is to grow in your desire for God Himself, fixing your eyes on
Jesus.
The formula for overcoming temptation is simple, but for
some reason we like to make it so difficult. It’s the same things we have been
hearing in Sunday School since we were kids. There is a little children’s song
that summarizes most of it in the line, “Read
your Bible and pray every day and you will grow, grow, grow!”
Battle Plan
1.
Get In The Word!
In youth group we have the Word of Life
Quiet Time Diary as a help to get in the Word of God. The goal as a believer
should be to spend time in God’s Word daily. Especially as Americans today, we
of all people are so privileged to have the Word of God in various
translations, in print, on our smart phones and computers. We have audio
Bibles, we have music, we have apps.
Unfortunately, we have more excuses. I’m
tired, I’m busy, I have homework, I have practice, I have… fill in the blank.
How much TV have you watched? How much time did you spend watching sports? How
much time did you spend texting or snapping? How much time did you spend
reading a novel? How much time…
The point is, you have time for what you
value. Is the eternal Word of God valued in your life?
2.
Memorize the Word!
King David writes, “how show a young man
keep his way pure? By listening to your Word,” and later, “I have hidden your
Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” He gives a very clear point
that memorizing the Word of God brings power over sin and temptation.
Now there is value in memorizing verses
that deal with the particular struggle you are facing, but I want to encourage
you to pick verses that give you a proper view of God and His promises.
Desiring and Delighting in God will overcome all forms of temptation.
3.
Accountability
This one is difficult because it requires vulnerability.
Who do you know that you trust? Who is pursuing Christ the way you are? Finding
a brother or sister in Christ that can be there for you and walk with you is
important. I’d encourage guys to find a guy and girls to find a girl as an
accountability partner. We encourage this by having small groups in youth
group.
Who knows your sin struggles? Who have you
told about your desire to grow closer to Jesus? Good accountability is not just
getting together and asking a list of questions, although that can be helpful.
It is about being there for each other and encouraging each other to fix your
eyes on Jesus.
The most successful accountability
relationships I have are 1) consistent, 2) intentional, 3) long term, and 4)
grace filled.
Consistency means that you have to get
together on a regular basis. You have to determine to get together, especially
when you have fallen into temptation.
Intentional, you have to know why you are
getting together. It’s not just about the sin issue, it’s about loving Jesus
more. Love for Jesus will impact all areas of life, not just the one area.
Long term means that you not just about getting
through this one temptation, but you want to live life together. I have a dear
friend of mine that I meet with regularly. We have been regularly meeting for a
couple of years now and it has become one of the most rewarding times of my
week. I get to see his growth and walk with Jesus and he is a big encouragement
to me!
When we employ these three steps, we will see victory over
temptation. Temptation is real. It comes from within. It can be powerful, but
doesn’t have to be. Don’t isolate yourself, find a partner to pursue the Word
of God with, and memorize God’s promises and allow His Word to be your weapon
against temptation.
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