How Do I Handle Both Trails & Temptations?

James 1:9-18

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of lifethat the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

How Do I Handle Both Trails & Temptations?

Message #4: How Do I Handle Both Trials & Temptations?!
James 1:9-18
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  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."
James 1:12-15
 Q: Have you ever played “hide and seek” when you were a kid?

The goal is to find the best place to hide in attempt to be the last one found OR if you were really good you would hope no one would find you until the seeker yelled out, “ole, ole, all come free”!

We as humans have been trying to hide from God since the beginning. The day that Adam and Eve decided to take the fruit from the tree God told them not to here is what happened…

Genesis 3:8 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

GOAL: Today I’m asking you to set aside your fears or shame or worry for a moment and come out of your hiding place to let God show you his gracious strength that He wants to provide for you no matter what you are facing at this time.
Not only will we have TRIALS that test our trust in God,
There will also be TEMPTATIONS that will seek to draw us away from God.

Trials have to do with struggle of trust in our movement towards God.
Trials come for the purpose to develop our faith in God.

Temptations are our struggle with the desires that pulls us away from God. Temptations will attempt to demolish our walk with God.

Challenge #1: Understand the Source of Your Temptation (1:13-14)
Challenge #2: Understand the Anatomy of Your Sin (1:14-15)
Challenge #3:  Prepare yourself to meet temptations head on (1:15-18)

Key Question:  How do we effectively meet our temptations head on that will give us victory over them?
1. Be HONEST about your desires.

2. ASK: “What part of this temptation can be met by drawing close to Jesus?”
If the underlying part of the temptation is for security, acceptance, feeling empowered, feeling loved, feeling hopeful, feeling free… then begin asking him to meet that need in you.

3. ACCEPT that temptations will always be part of your life, but that God always provides His help to you!  
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 -  “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

4. DEVELOP godly friendships where you find real encouragement and help in times of need.
Colossians 3:12-14 - Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

5. Began to make it a HABIT to trust the Holy Spirit God has placed in you more than yourself!