Understanding the Truth About Temptation and Victory
Read James 1
James 1:19-21, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls."
Today our verses come as the application of a much larger context which begins in James 1:13 and continues through verse 21. Read the context (verses 13-21) and understand the truth about temptation and how to experience victory over temptation. The truth about temptation is that it is inevitable that we will face it, its source isn't God but our own fleshly lusts, and it is always possible to have victory if we will listen to and heed what the Word of God says.
Verses 13-14 speak the truth concerning the source of temptation. The source isn't God, but it comes from within our own fleshly lusts, from those areas within ourselves where we burn. It may be that one of your areas of temptation is in food (unwholesome food and too much). This is an area of burning inside of you, and rather than respond to the truth, you succumb to failure by yielding to the wrong thing. The truth is, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Understand that your temptation comes from within.
Since temptation comes from within, it is inevitable that we will face it. Therefore, we must arrange our lives in such a way as to realize the areas in which we are temptable and do what we can to minimize them. Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” The word “provision” speaks of giving forethought to supply or provide for something. Because temptation is inevitable you must arrange your life in such a manner as to not make provision for the flesh.
Temptation doesn't have to result in sin. Sin follows a process of three steps. It isn't a long journey from temptation to sin, but it is a journey that can be avoided. The process of sin is described in James 1:14-16. I have referred to this as the devil's L.S.D. Lust, Sin and Death, are included in the process of sin. The admonition of verse 16 should stand out to us, "Do not err, my beloved brethren." We are told not to err or go astray. You must decide through the power of God, not only to avoid temptation, but learn to say "NO!" when you are tempted. Realize every good gift and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Sin is from the pit of hell, and good things find their origin in God.
The applications: first be teachable - verse 19, "...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" Wrath doesn't put us in a place of doing what is right, but it positions us to do what is wrong (vs. 20)
Next, cast off "ALL" filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (vs. 21a). This verse commands us to cast off anything that is dirty and defiling (filthiness) and anything, for added emphasis, that is characterized by being bad or evil (superfluity of naughtiness).
Finally, let God sanctify you through His Word. "...Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." The Word of God is to be meekly engrafted into our lives, and it is through this process we are lifted from the dangers of sin. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” John 17:17, John 15:3, and Ephesians 5:26.
We can enjoy victory over temptation, if we are careful to arrange our lives to minimize temptation, if we are teachable, if we cast off those things which are dirty, and if we allow the Word of God to grow us in sanctification. Sin can be overcome by the power of God!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. What is the greatest source of temptation in your life? Explain.
2. What does Romans 13:14 mean when it says, “and make not provision for the flesh”?
3. What are the three steps from temptation to sin as described in James 1:14-16? Is this a long journey or a short one?
4. Why does wrath make it impossible for us to be teachable? Are you teachable? Why or why not?
5. What is the key to victory over temptation?