I. Introduction 1:1
II. Instruction on temptation. 1:2-27
A. Response to temptation. 1:2-12
1. Understand the result. 1:2-4 (What may be achieved through the trial)
2. Use the resources that God provides. 1:5-8 How to meet the need!

3. Uplifted in spirit. 1:9-12 The right attitude – Refer to Proverbs 30:8,9

a. Our standing before God is not based on social position 1:9-11

1). The poor man – “I do not have anything to offer but myself”.
2). The wealthy man – “I have much to offer, but God does not want me because of my wealth, He wants me”!

“After the wealth is gone, I will continue on. I am glad that it was me that God wanted and not those things that fade away.”

3). The wonderful truth – God is no respecter of persons –

Ephesians 6:7-9 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

b. Our standing is based on love and a reward is following. 1:12
Remember – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…”

Some may say “Ask God? He is the one who put me in this situation”! We must remember that the Lord may try us for good, but He will NEVER tempt us will evil”!
Therefore, we need to know the –

B. Reason for temptation. 1:13-18

1. The reason is sin. 1:13

a. Constant fight for control in the believer’s life.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

We should remember God’s warning to Cain –

Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Sin is described as a beast waiting at the door to overpower, to conquer and control Cain. We should note that Cain was not ignorant of this danger. The results of sin would be evident in the lives of his parents and in the relationship that they had with each other. Adam and Eve entered into a struggle with one another when they disobeyed God and the warning given is similar to this warning Cain received –

Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

The desire of the woman now was to have the rule over the man and the responsibility of the man was to rule over the woman. Sin destroyed the cooperation of the husband and wife and resulted in competition between them.

Cain did not heed God’s warning even though he knew the reality of it, and he was subject to the consequences of sin controlling his life.

We are involved in a battle – an renewed battle every day. We should remember that the Lord Jesus Christ has won the war already and we have the victory in Him, but the individual battles continue until He comes again.
There is a constant fight for control.

b. Contentment is like a vapour that disappears quickly.

1). Eve had position, the immediate creation of God who was in partnership with Adam to have dominion over all of the earth.
– it was not enough. She desired
to be as God and Adam approved of their actions.
2). Lot had possessions – they were not enough, as they kept him separated from the world.
3). David had power – it was not enough. (Bathsheba, I want her and so I will have her)
4). Solomon had respect – it was not enough.
(He could judge every situation except his own)

2. The result is death. 1:14,15

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

a. Avoid excuses. 1:13
b. Admit responsibility. 1:14,15
c. Agree with God and embrace the truth.

3. The response is submission to the Truth. 1:16-18

1). Reject sin. 1:16

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2). Rejoice in Truth. 1:17,18

Do you know and understand the truth today? Are you saved? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ , His death, burial, and resurrection?