We must overcome temptation

Many years ago Alexis de Tocqueville came to America to discover the secret to our nation’s greatness. He searched high and wide. His conclusion was, “America is so great because she is so good. When she ceases to be good she will cease to be great.” The greatest enemy that you and I face is sin. Sin is absolutely devastating. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote his famous epistle in the first century. The Book of James deals with persecution. The early church faced great persecution from outside the church. James warned that the greatest threat to the church is not external but internal. The greatest threat the church faces- like the greatest threat America faces- is internal.

James chapter 1:13-18 teaches four steps for overcoming sin. The first step is to take full responsibility. James writes, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” Often we blame others for our sin. When Eve sinned, she blamed the serpent. Eve said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). Adam sinned and blamed God! Adam said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree and I ate” (Genesis 3:12).

Our natural tendency is to blame someone else. Teenagers blame their parents. Adults blame their circumstances. Many today blame a genetic predisposition. A person says, “I was born a woman but I have a genetic predisposition and I am really a man.” No. It is our responsibility to overcome sin. I must make the proper choice and overcome sin.

The second step for overcoming sin is to identify the source. James says, “For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13). Sin comes from the devil himself. Satan was the first liar. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. His goal is to destroy your life. Satan is the source of temptation and it operates in our flesh.

The third step is to identify the process. Sin always follows a process. James said, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Sin always begins with attraction. “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” This is the language of fishing. A person is drawn out or lured by temptation. Satan takes something good and turns it into temptation. Food is good. Satan tempts us with gluttony. Private property is a gift of God. Satan tempts us with greed.

Attraction is followed by decision. “Then when lust has conceived…” A choice is made to sin. Attraction and decision are followed by action. “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin….” This is the language of pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, a process begins. There will be a birth! Attraction, decision and action lead to maturity. “…and when sin is accomplished…” Sin does not stand still. A little baby develops into a man or a woman. Sin grows and matures. Eventually a person is known by their sin. The sin grows larger and larger. The sin can no longer be hidden. Time and truth always go together. Over time the truth comes out. This process ultimately leads to death. “….it brings forth death.” Death is ugly. Death is the final step.

I have been in ministry for 25 years. The Bible says that the pleasure of sin lasts for a season (Hebrews 11:25). The pleasure of sin is short. No one has ever come to me after sinning long term and said, “It was worth it.” No. Sin is a bitter taskmaster.

To overcome temptation we must take full responsibility. We must identify the source. We must understand the process. The fourth step is to unmask the deception. “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:16-17).

The deception is that sin is good. The deception is that we can control our sin and stop at any moment. The drunkard says, “I am in control and can stop whenever I choose.” No. We must stand on the truth. The truth is that God’s way is the best way. James points out that God is good. God is powerful. God is unchanging. His way is the best way.

How good is God? How powerful is God? He is so good that He sent His Son Jesus to die for us. The Father’s anger toward our sin was poured out on His Son. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Proverbs 14:34 reminds us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Choose life and live!

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.