The Book of James

James 1:1 (NIV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To

the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Theme: Trials and Temptations

“If we don’t quit, we win.”

James 1:2-3 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the

testing of your faith produces perseverance.

God wants to use trials to mature us.

Get God’s perspective.

Trust God’s process.

James 1:4 (NIV) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be

mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1a. We can use trials to draw closer to God.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in

our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His

megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” CS Lewis

Ask for His help.

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who

gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Stand firm in faith.

James 1:6-8 (NIV) But when you ask, you must believe and not

doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown

and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive

anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and

unstable in all they do.

1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is

being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far

more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong

through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and

honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

2. Satan wants to use temptation to destroy us.

James 1:13 (NIV) When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting

me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone...

Understand the process of temptation.

James 1:14-15 (NIV) ...but each person is tempted when they are dragged

away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Deception | Desire | Disobedience | Death

Be real about our weakness.

James 1:16 (NIV) Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.

He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

2a. We can use temptation as a target for growth.

Learn how to overcome.

James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down

from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting

shadows.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is

common to man. 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 stand up under it.

A – Avoid the situation

C – Counter with the Word

D – Develop healthy friendships

C – Commit to prayer

Live in victory.

James 1:18 (NIV) He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.