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The four themes covered in these verses:
1) Understanding the source of temptation (James 1:13-16)
2) Knowing who God is in the middle of your Aaugh! (James 1:14-18)
3) Dealing with anger. (James 1:19.20)
4) Seeing God’s alternative intended pattern in letting the law of liberty shape us (James 1:21-24)
Read James 1:13-25 from the Message
1) James 1:13-15 – Understanding the source of temptation:
Still looking at our own personal and spiritual growth, James changes tack slightly from addressing external pressures to that of looking at the kind of trial that evolves around temptation and our own internal desires.
v. 13 – 2 things we need to know about God:
1) God is not the one tempting you – he can not be blamed for our weakness or be accused of trying to trip us up!
2) He himself cannot be tempted by evil – ie in His very nature He is Holy and there is nothing in him for sin to appeal to! – That’s a good definition of holiness!!
v. 14 – But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire he is enticed
and dragged away.
The route…
James identifies the source of temptation - human desires.
Desires are not necessarily evil in and of themselves (for example, Sex drive, eating appetite, desire for right-ness), but when driven by our ‘selfish-ness’ they can become destructive and drag us away from God.
The problem with desire is that it lacks a compass and boundaries. They can simply want something without consideration of the rights and wrongs of it, without considering the implications and consequences, the harm and damage it might cause, to others, to our selves and our relationship with God.
The connection…
Internal desire meets outward attraction – if these are allowed to interact…sin is born
This is where James says – do not be deceived once desire has become pregnant with the attraction it gives birth to sin, and then sin leads to death.
The result…
Look at examples.
a) Gossip/critism
b) Sexual drives
c) Eating
2) Knowing who God is and what He is like in the middle of your Aaugh!
James 1:17,18 - The kind of Father James knew God to be:
The Father of lights – with whom there is no shadow of turning. God’s
love and commitment to you is unswerving! He is completely faithful to
His promises.
God is beyond temptation
Generous
life-giving
does not change and never brings something less than life
gives only good;
He heals;
gives more grace;
forgives
draws near and lifts us up
3) Dealing with Anger. James 1:19,20
Amplified:
Understand this…Let every man be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to take offence and to get angry
4) Seeing God’s alternative intended pattern in letting the law of
liberty shape us. James 1:21-25.
However, there is a remedy! There are two routes we can live.
We can either live guided by our own thoughts/impulses and desires
Or
be birthed again by the gospel and choose to follow the implanted Word of God (Torah for James).
q Get rid of sin – repent of it, set convictions like a moral compass.
v. 21
Virginity – conviction or passed down expectation?
Am I going to go God’s way or my own way?
q Be Birthed again by the word of truth v.18
q Receive the implanted word that has power and is able to save!
What is this implanted word?
i. The Gospel – the power of God unto Salvation
ii. The word of God’s scripture – the truth setting free
The Message’s description - Jesus is the gardener who weeds and landscapes our lives producing a fruitful and developed life.
q Let it take route – understanding the implanted word
q Act on it – being doers, not just hearers v. 22-25
Implanted Word to Right Action leading to Life
q What does the implanted word produce?
a) Brings forth LIFE (v18)
b) Brings Freedom (v 25)
c) Will be blessed in all we do (v 25)
God’s implanted word leads to life – Human selfish desire leads to Death.
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