The Bridge Church
James - Overcoming Temptation - Week 2
January 8, 2023
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
It's not a sin to be tempted. It's a sin to give in to temptation.
Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction apart from God, at the cost of disobeying God.
The real issue with temptation is trust. At the root of every temptation is the question: Can God be trusted?
How To Overcome Temptation:
1. Take Responsibility.
1. Take Responsibility.
2. Understand the deceptive process
Desire
But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. James 1:14
But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. James 1:14
Deception
... When he is drawn away and enticed. James 1:14
... When he is drawn away and enticed. James 1:14
Disobedience
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin... James 1:15
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin... James 1:15
Death
...and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. James 1:15
...and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. James 1:15
3. Form a strategy for overcoming temptation
When tempted, run. Don't rationalize.
Choose to confess, not conceal
Replace Satan's lies with God's truth
Overcoming temptation doesn't come from my will power, it comes from God's power.
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
Dig Deeper:
1. Earlier in James chapter 1, we learned that God uses trials in our lives to how help us grow. Now he shifts to talking about temptation. What is the difference between a trial and a temptation?
2. Thinking back to your childhood, what is one of the earliest memories you have of doing something you knew you shouldn’t be doing? What was it, and what was the outcome?
3. What is temptation and what is sin? Why is it important to distinguish the difference between temptation and sin?
4. How should we respond when faced with temptation? Can you think of a time when God has provided you a way to escape temptation?
5. Read James 1:13. Why is it important that we not blame our temptation on God? Why is it important to not blame others?
6. Read Genesis 3:8-13. Oswald Chambers said, “The root of all sin is the suspicion that God is not good.” Was this true of Adam and Eve when they fell? Is it true of you when you sin?
7. Read James 1:14. What is at the root of all temptation? When do desires become evil?
8. What is the importance of James saying “when he is drawn away”? What are we drawn away from when we are tempted?
9. Read James 1:15. Why do you think James uses a birth metaphor in this passage?
10. Have you ever seen a temptation grow slowly and consistently into sin within your own life?
11. Read Romans 6:11-13. How do Paul’s instructions here relate to what James is saying?
12. Are we ever in a position or point in life where we are not susceptible to temptation and sin?
13. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. What strategies do you use to overcoming temptation?
14. Read Proverbs 28:13. How does confession help up resist temptation and sin?
15. Behind every temptation is a lie we believe. What lies have you been believing and what truths about God do you need to remember?
Live It Out:
Overcoming temptation doesn’t come from you own will power; it comes from God’s power. Whose power are you relying on?
1. Take responsibility: Do you take responsibility for you own actions, or are you quick to pass the blame to God or others? List out all temptations in your life, both the ones you do not take responsibility for…and the ones you do take responsibility for.
2. Understand the deceptive process: From the list of temptations you’ve written out, write next to each one what results from the four stages: desire, deception, disobedience, and death for that specific temptation. See the example below.
Temptation: Gossip
Desire: When I hear others talking and I want to participate
Deception: It’s not really hurting anyone; no one will find out; I’m only sharing a little
Disobedience: I’m going to join them as they talk and share, too
Death: I feel ashamed, worried and anxious
3. Form a strategy for overcoming temptation: Run, don’t rationalize. Confess, don’t conceal. Replace Satan’s lies with God’s truth. For each temptation, write down how you can specifically run, confess, and look to God’s Word for truth. Write out scripture to combat each temptation. Post the scripture where you can see it regularly. Have someone you trust to be ready for when you need to confess...or when you need to run. Focus on God’s power, not your own, through His word and through prayer.
Reading Plan:
Monday: James 1:13-15
Tuesday: Hebrews 4:15-16
Wednesday: Matthew 4:1-11
Thursday: Hebrews 2:14-18
Friday: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Saturday: Romans 6:1-13
1. Earlier in James chapter 1, we learned that God uses trials in our lives to how help us grow. Now he shifts to talking about temptation. What is the difference between a trial and a temptation?
2. Thinking back to your childhood, what is one of the earliest memories you have of doing something you knew you shouldn’t be doing? What was it, and what was the outcome?
3. What is temptation and what is sin? Why is it important to distinguish the difference between temptation and sin?
4. How should we respond when faced with temptation? Can you think of a time when God has provided you a way to escape temptation?
5. Read James 1:13. Why is it important that we not blame our temptation on God? Why is it important to not blame others?
6. Read Genesis 3:8-13. Oswald Chambers said, “The root of all sin is the suspicion that God is not good.” Was this true of Adam and Eve when they fell? Is it true of you when you sin?
7. Read James 1:14. What is at the root of all temptation? When do desires become evil?
8. What is the importance of James saying “when he is drawn away”? What are we drawn away from when we are tempted?
9. Read James 1:15. Why do you think James uses a birth metaphor in this passage?
10. Have you ever seen a temptation grow slowly and consistently into sin within your own life?
11. Read Romans 6:11-13. How do Paul’s instructions here relate to what James is saying?
12. Are we ever in a position or point in life where we are not susceptible to temptation and sin?
13. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. What strategies do you use to overcoming temptation?
14. Read Proverbs 28:13. How does confession help up resist temptation and sin?
15. Behind every temptation is a lie we believe. What lies have you been believing and what truths about God do you need to remember?
Live It Out:
Overcoming temptation doesn’t come from you own will power; it comes from God’s power. Whose power are you relying on?
1. Take responsibility: Do you take responsibility for you own actions, or are you quick to pass the blame to God or others? List out all temptations in your life, both the ones you do not take responsibility for…and the ones you do take responsibility for.
2. Understand the deceptive process: From the list of temptations you’ve written out, write next to each one what results from the four stages: desire, deception, disobedience, and death for that specific temptation. See the example below.
Temptation: Gossip
Desire: When I hear others talking and I want to participate
Deception: It’s not really hurting anyone; no one will find out; I’m only sharing a little
Disobedience: I’m going to join them as they talk and share, too
Death: I feel ashamed, worried and anxious
3. Form a strategy for overcoming temptation: Run, don’t rationalize. Confess, don’t conceal. Replace Satan’s lies with God’s truth. For each temptation, write down how you can specifically run, confess, and look to God’s Word for truth. Write out scripture to combat each temptation. Post the scripture where you can see it regularly. Have someone you trust to be ready for when you need to confess...or when you need to run. Focus on God’s power, not your own, through His word and through prayer.
Reading Plan:
Monday: James 1:13-15
Tuesday: Hebrews 4:15-16
Wednesday: Matthew 4:1-11
Thursday: Hebrews 2:14-18
Friday: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Saturday: Romans 6:1-13