James Lesson 3

Temptation, the enticement from within, during the Trials

Review:  Last week we studied “Trials, the testing from without.”                            

Overview of Lesson 3:  How to overcome the temptations that come DURING the trials

Read James 1:12-22

Did you ever run track or cross country?  What sports did you play/participate in?  What “tests” did you have to complete to participate?

RESEARCH TIME:  Let’s do a brief study of crowns in the Bible.  Look up the following references which speak of a  “crown” and note what you learn about the type of crown (for example, crown of ___________), why the crown is given, to whom, when, etc.

James 1:12 -  Look up the Greek word (attached) for crown and notes its definition

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

2 Timothy 4:8

1 Peter 5:4

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Revelation 2:10

Revelation 3:11

Revelation 4:10-11

Now, what motivation does James 1:12 give you?

In James 1:13-15 the same basic Greek word for “tempted” is used for “”trials” in verses 2 and 12.  But this time he moves from the noun peirasmos to the verb peirazo.  When James does this, he changes the use of the word from external testings to inward temptations to do evil.  Therefore let’s compare the two words and their instructions or lack of them.  Read the verses and list the instructions following or surrounding each:

Trials (peirasmos) James 1:1-12	To Tempt (peirazo) James 1:13-17

When a person is tempted, why might  (James says not to) he say, “I am tempted of God”?

Let’s look at two passages, think about them in light of the basic nature of man and see what we can conclude.

Proverbs 19:3

Genesis 3:9-13

Now put on your thinking cap and answer these questions:

1.        When people do what is wrong, are they usually willing to accept the blame or responsibility for what they have done?  Are you?

2.       How do people tend to excuse their wrongs?

3.       When people go through trials and they do not count it all joy what are their alternative reactions?  List some:

What are some consequences?

Now, there is a progression in James 1:14-15.  List the progression in such a way that you could use these verses to explain this progression to a 5^th Grader:

Someone who was in church Sunday, re-tell (in your own words) the EAGLE STORY that Jeff told.

Explain about how traps capture an animal…make the application to us…..

Review the Steps of “How to Not Be Deceived” from James 1:16-22 that Jeff gave Sunday (looking up the verses) just as a review…

1.        1:18 BE AN OFFERING BACK TO GOD – Give Him your body (Romans 12:1)

2.       1:21 PUT ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS, AND REMNANTS OF WICKEDNESS

a.       Make no provisions for the flesh (Romans 13:14)

b.      Cleanse your home (Psalm 111)*[i]

c.       Confess to an authority who can hold you accountable (Proverbs 28:13)

3.       1:21 IMPLANT GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART (Psalm 119:9-16)

4.       1:22 BE A DOER OF THE WORD (James 14:15; 15:7,10;  Matthew 28:20)

---

*[i] You may want to see Spiritual Housecleaning; 8 Steps to purify your home by Eddie and Alice Smith  Regal Books 2003