1. The Pressure of Temptation
James 1:13-18
John R. Wible
September 8, 2013
1John R. Wible,

2. Temptation
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• Temptation Is Inevitable (James 1: 13)
• Temptation Is Predictable (James 1:14-15)
• Temptation is Avoidable (James 1:16-18)
The Point - God won’t tempt me, but He will
always provide a way to resist temptation
Temptation is a reality for all of us. Even Jesus
was tempted. We can’t avoid it, but we don’t
have to give in to it

3. The Devil Made Me Do it
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4. Key Words
• Trial – Bad things that occur either by our
own choice or by God’s sovereign will
• Temptation – The raising of the desire in us to
sin. Temptations originate directly from
Satan, never God.
• Trial/tempt (v. 13)— Come from the same
Greek word. Context determines whether the
word means trials or enticements to sin.
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5. The Setting
• After writing about how we should respond
to the trials we face, James turned his
attention to temptations. We all face trials
and temptations, but temptations do not
come from God. James concluded this section
by pointing our attention to what does come
from God. God is the giver of all good things.
• See Page 22.
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6. The Bible Meets Life – Page 23
Q: What does it say about temptation’s
promise and delivery?
1. Temptation always promises some gain
2. Temptation will also promise that you won’t
get hurt
Q: What are some of your thoughts and
emotions after you realize that the
temptation you gave in to was a lie?
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7. James 1:13
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am
being tempted by God.” For God is not
tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t
tempt anyone.
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8. Temptation Never comes from God
Q: What are some reasons the author gives to
support this statement? (See Page 25.)
• Nothing in His nature makes Him vulnerable
to temptation. (Deut. 32:4).
• Second, He doesn’t tempt anyone. That is,
His activity is completely consistent with His
character.
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9. James 1:14-15
14 But each person is tempted when he is
drawn away and enticed by his own evil
desires.
15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it
gives birth
• Q: Do you agree that temptation is unique to
each individual?
• Q: Name some things that are tempting to
some people but not tempting to others?
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10. Where Do They Come From?
There is a pattern:
• enticed,
• conceived,
• sin,
• death.
Q: What are some needs we have?
Q: How can get twisted into something evil?
See Page 29. “Gifts”
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11. James 1:16-18
Temptation is beatable, but you must rely on God
16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers.
17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the Father of
lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow
cast by turning.
18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by
the message of truth so that we would be the
firstfruits of His creatures.
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12. Three of God’s Provisions
• A relationship with Christ,
• God’s Word,
• An escape route
13 No temptation has overtaken you except
what is common to mankind. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so
that you can endure it.
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13. Question
Question #5 (BOOK, p. 30): “What advice
would you give to someone who is struggling
with temptation?”
Is that real or is it “Sunday School” jargon?
How do you know that?
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14. Build Up Your Resistance
• How do you “Build Up Your Resistance?”
• See Page 31.
• James emphasizes God’s generosity and
goodness
• “with Him there is no variation or shadow
cast by turning.” V. 17.
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15. God Never “Turns”
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16. God Never “Turns”
Q: How does this hymn help us understand why
God is not the source of temptation?
Q: What is comforting in the truth that God
never changes?
• Knowing that sin’s pleasure is fleeting helps
us in our struggle against temptation.”
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17. Gospel Connection
• Temptation leads to sin which leads to death,
but Jesus Christ offers us abundant and
eternal life as well as freedom from death.
• Q: How do we connect that truth to people
we know or meet?
• See Page 2 in the Book for guidance on
leading a person to Christ.
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18. Do You Really Care?
(1) how we can help one another in our battles
against temptation?
(2) what kinds of commitments we need to
make so we feel comfortable sharing our
struggles?
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19. (W)Rap-Up
RESIST
RELY
REST
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