We Can Overcome Temptation!

Martin Luther said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Every one of us face an endless stream of temptations every single day. A temptation is a desire to do something wrong or unwise. The devil constantly tempts God’s people.

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote the Book of James. Chapter 1 focuses on trials and then on temptations. Often a trial or difficulty comes into our lives followed by temptation. Satan loves the one two punch of a good old fashioned trial followed by a difficult temptation.

Thankfully, we can overcome temptation. God provides the tools we need to rise above the devil’s tests. James 1:14-18 provides two keys for overcoming temptation.

The first key is to understand the process. Verse 15 says, “Then desire (temptation) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” When someone surrenders to temptation that choice is described as conception. Conception lead to a birth. When a woman becomes pregnant at first it is not noticeable. Eventually the baby grows and the result is a birth. Conception leads to birth.

Babies do not remain small- they grow! A baby becomes a teenager and then a mature adult. Sin also does not remain small. “…and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” A person is eventually known by their sin. The end result of sin is death. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.”

We must understand the process of temptation and sin. No person says, “I want to destroy my life with alcohol.” It begins with the first step of drunkenness. I’ve never met anyone who said, “I want to ruin my life and end up in prison.” It begins by surrendering to the first step of hatred and violence.

The second key is to unmask the deception. Verses 16 and 17 says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of light with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Sin always begins with deception. Every temptation is a temptation to doubt the goodness of God. God placed Adam and Eve in a perfect environment. Satan tempted them. The tempter said, “God is not good. He’s withheld the tree of knowledge from you. Eat and you will live. God has lied. You won’t die!” No! God is good. The garden was perfect. Their sin brought death. The devil always deceives.

Verse 17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God Himself. God is powerful. He is described as “the Father of light.” Who made the sun and the moon? God did! The diameter of the sun is 870,000 miles. The sun has a temperature of 27 million degrees Fahrenheit! The sun is the ultimate wood stove!

God is very powerful. God will always provide for His children. God is also unchanging. “…with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God is consistent. He doesn’t lie. He is trustworthy. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Jesus willingly went to the cross and rose from the dead. We can count on Him.

We must unmask the deception. The devil operates with deception. Jesus is not our enemy. He is our friend. Jesus is described as the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Bread is essential to life. Jesus provides not only physical life but also eternal life. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Sheep are defenseless and totally dependent upon their shepherd. Robbers steal sheep. Wolves attack sheep. Jesus provides, protects, defends and guides His sheep. Jesus is also the Door (John 10:7). There is only one path to heaven and it is found in Jesus.

Martin Luther faced great temptations. Luther at Wartburg Castle said that he had “driven the devil away with ink.” Luther translated the Bible. As he learned the Scriptures, he stood strong against temptation. When the devil tempts, understand the process. Conception, birth, maturity and eventually death. Unmask the deception. God is good. God’s way is the best way!

Pastor Ethan Hansen

Faith Bible Fellowship

Big Lake, AK