Message Title: Temptation: A Test of Faith
Message Truth: The only way to say No to temptation is to have something far better to say YES to. So, obedience is doing what we want to do out of a heart, alive to beauty.
Message Text: James 1:13-15
The Source and Course of Temptation (James vv.13-15)
Sources of Temptation
- Satan above you- cannot control
- The world around you – you cannot control
- Flesh within you – You Can control
The Course of Temptation (James 1:14-15)
The Look: This is the initial stage where a person is drawn to something that sparks a desire. It’s the first point of contact with a potential temptation
The Lust: Once drawn in, the desire intensifies. This stage involves being enticed by the object or situation that is tempting.
The Lure: The temptation begins to take hold, drawing the person further in.
The Conception: The desire, fueled by the lure, leads to a plan or contemplation of acting on the temptation.
The Birth: The plan is put into action, resulting in the commission of the sin.
The Growth: The sin begins to have consequences and potentially leads to further sinning, becoming a pattern of behavior.
The Death: Ultimately, if unchecked, the sin leads to negative consequences, potentially spiritual death, broken relationships, or other destructive outcomes. – Death: Sin always has a baby
