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James Chapter One

 
Chapter One General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
 
1) To appreciate the value of enduring trials
 
2) To understand how sin develops, from temptation to death (separation
 from God)
 
3) To note the importance of being doers of the Word, and practitioners
 of religion that is pure and undefiled before God
 
SUMMARY
 
Following a simple and humble salutation (1), James begins his epistle
with a call to view trials as occasions to rejoice, understanding they
can produce patience which leads to maturity (2-5). If wisdom is
needed, he counsels his readers to ask God with faith and no doubting
(5-8). In the meantime, the poor are encouraged to rejoice in their
exaltation, while the rich are to be thankful for their humiliation
(9-11).
 
Motivation to endure temptation is given, along with an explanation as
to the true source of temptations and the development of sin which 
leads to spiritual death (12-15). Let no one be deceived, God is not 
the source of temptation, but the Father of every good and perfect gift
which comes down from above, who has brought us forth that we might be
the firstfruits of His creation (16-18).
 
With admonitions to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath,
James then expounds upon a major theme of this epistle: to be doers of
the word and not hearers only. Illustrating the folly of being a
hearer only, he contrasts the difference between religion that is 
useless and that which is pure and undefiled before God (19-27).
 
OUTLINE
 
SALUTATION (1)
 
I. TRUE RELIGION ENDURES TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS (2-18)
 
 A. WITH JOY AND PATIENCE (2-4)
 1. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience
 2. Letting patience produce its perfect work
 a. That you may be perfect and complete
 b. That you may lack nothing
 
 B. WITH WISDOM FROM GOD (5-8)
 1. If you lack wisdom, ask God
 a. Who gives to all liberally and without reproach
 b. It will be given to you
 2. But ask in faith, with no doubting; for he who doubts...
 a. Is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind
 b. Should not suppose that he will receive anything from the
 Lord
 c. Is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways
 
 C. WITH A PROPER PERSPECTIVE (9-11)
 1. If a lowly brother, glory in your exaltation
 2. If rich, glory in your humiliation
 a. For as the flower of the field you will pass away, as the
 grass withers with the burning heat of the rising sun
 b. So the rich man will fade away in his pursuits
 
 D. WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF TEMPTATION (12-15)
 1. The man who endures temptation will be blessed
 a. For he will receive the crown of life when he is proven
 b. Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
 2. Temptations do not come from God
 a. God cannot be tempted by evil
  b. He does not tempt anyone
 3. The source of temptations
 a. One is tempted when drawn away by his own desires and is
 enticed
 b. When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin
 c. Sin, when full-grown, brings forth death
 
 E. WITH AN AWARENESS OF THE FATHER'S GOODNESS (16-18)
 1. Do not be deceived, beloved brethren
 2. Every good and perfect gift is from above
 a. Coming down from the Father of lights
 b. With whom there is no variation or shadow of turning
 3. Of His own will He brought us forth
 a. By the word of truth
 b. That we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures
 
II. TRUE RELIGION CONSISTS OF DOING, NOT JUST HEARING (19-27)
 
 A. ONE SHOULD BE SWIFT TO HEAR (19-20)
 1. Let every one be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
 2. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
 
 B. ONE SHOULD NOT BE HEARERS ONLY, BUT DOERS (21-27)
 1. What to lay aside, and what to receive
 a. Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness
 b. Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to
 save your souls
 2. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only
 a. Otherwise you deceive yourselves
 b. You are like a man who after looking in mirror soon forgets
 what he looked like
 3. One who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in
 it...
 a. Is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work
 b. Will be blessed in what he does
 4. Your religion is useless...
 a. If you think you're religious, but do not bridle your 
 tongue
 b. You deceive only your heart
 5. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is 
 this...
 a. To visit orphans and widows in their trouble
 b. To keep oneself unspotted from the world
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - True religion endures trials and temptations (1-18)
 - True religion consists of doing, not just hearing (19-27)
 
2) How should Christians view trials in their life? Why? (2-3)
 - An occasion in which to rejoice
 - Knowing that testing one's faith produces patience
 
3) What is the value of developing patience? (4)
 - It helps to make one perfect and complete, lacking nothing
 
4) If we lack wisdom, what should we do? Why? How? (5-6)
 - Ask of God
 - He gives to all liberally and without reproach
 - In faith, with no doubting
 
5) What is one who doubts like? What can he expect? Why? (6-8)
 - Like the wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind
 - To receive nothing from the Lord
 - He is double-minded, and unstable in all his ways
 
6) In what should the lowly brother glory? The rich man? (9-10)
 - His exaltation
 - His humiliation
 
7) What is the rich man like in his pursuits? (10-11)
 - A flower of the field that soon withers with the heat of the 
 rising sun
 
8) When is the man who endures temptation blessed? How will he be 
 blessed? (12)
 - When he is proved
 - By receiving the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who
 love Him
 
9) What should no one say when they are tempted? Why? (13)
 - "I am tempted by God"
 - God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone
 
10) Then how is one tempted? (14)
 - When drawn away by his own desires and enticed
 
11) When is sin born? What does sin produce when full-grown? (15)
 - When desire has conceived and given birth
 - Death
 
12) What is the source of every good gift and every perfect gift? (17)
 - From above, coming down from the Father of lights
 
13) How has God brought us forth (given us birth)? Why did He do this?
 (18)
 - Of His own will, by the word of truth
 - That we might a kind of firstfruits of His creatures
 
14) What does James desire of his "beloved brethren"? (19)
 - To be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
 
15) Why should one be "slow to wrath"? (20)
 - The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
 
16) What needs to be laid aside? (21)
 - All filthiness and overflow of wickedness
 
17) What needs to be received with meekness? Why? (21)
 - The implanted word
 - It is able to save your souls
 
18) To avoid deceiving ourselves, what must we be? (22)
 - Doers of the word, and not hearers only
 
19) What is one like who hears the word but does not do it? (23-24)
 - One who looks at himself in a mirror, only to go away and soon
 forget what he looked like
 
20) Who will be truly blessed in what they do? (25)
 - He who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it
 - He who is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work
 
21) Whose religion is useless? (26)
 - The one who thinks he is religious, but does not bridle his tongue
 and deceives his own heart
 
22) What is pure and undefiled religion before God? (27)
 - To visit orphans and widows in their trouble
 - To keep oneself unspotted from the world

A Servant Of God And The Lord Jesus Christ (1:1)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In our introductory study, we concluded that James, the Lord's
 brother, was most likely the author
 
2. If this is so, then it is interesting that James does not identify
 himself as such, but rather as simply "a servant of God and of the
 Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1)
 
3. Perhaps it was a case of humility; yet, calling himself a "servant"
 was not peculiar to James
 a. Paul described himself as such as well - Ro 1:1; Ph 1:1
 b. So did Peter (2 Pe 1:1) and Jude (Ju 1)
 
4. Why did these men refer to themselves as "servants"?
 a. The Greek term (DOULOS) literally means "a slave"
 b. Why use such a term to describe themselves?
 c. And why should WE think of ourselves as "servants"?
 
5. In this lesson, I shall explain why, and make some other observations
 concerning the idea of being a servant
 
[First of all...]
 
I. BEING A SERVANT IS "WHAT A DISCIPLE OF JESUS IS CALLED TO BE"
 
 A. JESUS STRESSED THIS TRUTH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS...
 1. While pointing out the faults of the scribes and Pharisees
 - Mt 23:8-12
 2. During the Last Supper, with a vivid demonstration of servitude
 - Jn 13:12-17
 3. Even by His own example, as He came to serve - Mt 20:25-28;
 Ph 2:5-8
 
 B. SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE...
 1. God - Ja 1:1; He 9:14
 2. Jesus Christ - Ja 1:1; 2 Co 4:1
 3. Righteousness - Ro 6:17-18
 4. Each other - Ga 5:13; 1 Co 9:19-23
 
[The early Christians called themselves "servants", because that is what
they were!
 
But what is so good about being a "servant"? For one thing...]
 
II. BEING A SERVANT IS "A MARK OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY"
 
 A. AN IMMATURE PERSON IS USUALLY VERY SELFISH...
 1. For example, newborn babies are very ego-centrical
  2. Normally, as people grow older, they begin to concern themselves
 with the needs of others
 a. If they do, they are becoming mature
 b. If they remain selfish, it is an indication of immaturity
 
 B. A PERSON WHO SERVES OTHERS...
 1. Is certainly not selfish, but concerned with the needs of others
 2. And thereby demonstrates mature behavior
 
 C. JAMES' DESCRIPTION OF HIMSELF FITS IN VERY WELL WITH THE "THEME"
 OF HIS EPISTLE...
 1. Remember, the theme is: MARKS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY
 2. By being a servant, James is demonstrating his own spiritual
 maturity
 3. And we can make the point that one of the marks of spiritual
 maturity is truly being "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus
 Christ"!
 
[Are we trying to be servants of God, and of His Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ? If so, then we are on the road to spiritual maturity!
 
But before we answer too hastily, let's consider that...]
 
III. BEING A SERVANT HAS SEVERAL "IMPLICATIONS"
 
 A. IT IMPLIES "ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE"...
 1. In a slave-master relationship...
 a. The slave knows no law but his master's word
 b. He has no rights of his own
 c. He is the absolute possession of his master
  d. He is bound to give his master unquestioning obedience
 2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ?
 a. It should, especially in light of 1 Co 6:19-20
 b. We have to come to Jesus on HIS terms, not our own - Lk
 6:46; Mt 7:21
 
 B. IT IMPLIES "ABSOLUTE HUMILITY"...
 1. Otherwise, absolute obedience is not possible
 a. When we have a humble opinion of ourselves, we are receptive
 to the idea of complete obedience
 b. For example, consider Paul's self-estimation - 1 Co 15:9-10;
 Ep 3:8; 1 Ti 1:15
 2. Does this describe our relationship to Christ and His Will?
 a. Jesus said it should! - Lk 17:10
 b. But if we murmur or complain about what Jesus tells us to do,
 can we really be considered "servants"?
 
 C. IT IMPLIES "ABSOLUTE LOYALTY"...
 1. Since we become servants FREELY, it should be expected that we:
 a. Are to be loyal to Him first - cf. Ga 1:10
 b. Do not consider our own profit or preference important, but
 that of the One we freely serve!
 2. But it is amazing how anyone can claim to be servants of the
 Lord Jesus Christ, while:
 a. Complaining about having to do the will of God, OR...
 b. Being negligent or slothful in carrying out His will
 3. But some act as though they are being forced against their own
 will!
 a. They don't "have to" serve the Lord Jesus...
 1) Of course, the alternative is not very inviting
 2) If we don't serve Jesus, by default we serve Satan, and
 are destined for hell!
 b. But God by His grace has offered salvation, and how dare we
 ever grumble or complain that He calls us to life of service
 in grateful appreciation!
 
[These are some of the implications of being called a "servant". It
is costly in terms of service, pride, and allegiance.
 
But consider also that...]
 
IV. BEING A SERVANT IS "A GREAT HONOR"
 
 A. FAR FROM BEING A TITLE OF DISHONOR, IT WAS THE TITLE BY WHICH THE
 GREATEST MEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WERE KNOWN...
 1. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - Deu 9:27 ("Thy servants")
 2. Moses - 1 Kin 8:53 ("Thy servant")
 3. Joshua - Josh 24:29 ("Servant of the Lord")
 4. Caleb - Num 14:24 ("My servant")
 5. Job - Job 1:8 ("My servant")
 6. Isaiah - Isa 20:3 ("My servant")
 7. The prophets - Jer 7:25 ("My servants")
 
 B. HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE IF GOD LOOKED UPON US AS COMPANIONS OF
 THESE GREAT MEN...
 1. Who found freedom, peace, and glory!
 2. Who found it in perfect submission to the Will of God!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. He will, IF we are willing to accept the call to serve Him and His
 Son Jesus Christ with...
 a. Absolute obedience
 b. Absolute humility
 c. Absolute loyalty
 
2. And when we are serving God, His Son Jesus Christ, and even each other
 in this manner, we are making great strides towards SPIRITUAL
 MATURITY!
 
"...a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" - can this be said
of us?

Turning Trials Into Triumph (1:2-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker: "When life hands you a
 lemon, make lemonade!"
 
2. It is easier to smile at that statement than to practice it, but the
 basic philosophy is sound
 a. In fact, it is Biblical
 b. Throughout the Bible are people who turned defeat into victory and
 trials into triumph
 c. Instead of being VICTIMS, they became VICTORS
 
3. The Epistle of James tells us that we can have this same experience
 today!
 a. Whether we are dealing with trials on the outside
 b. Or temptations on the inside
 -- Through faith in God and Jesus Christ we CAN experience victory!
 
4. The KEY to turning trials into triumph is to obey four imperatives:
 a. COUNT - 1:2
 b. KNOW - 1:3
 c. LET - 1:4
 d. ASK - 1:5-8
 
[Starting with verse two, then, let's look at the first imperative...]
 
I. "COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS" (1:2)
 
 A. NOTICE THAT JAMES ASSUMES THAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE TRIALS...
 1. He doesn't say "if" but "when"
 2. This is because Christians must expect trials
 a. So said Jesus - Jn 16:33
 b. Paul also - Ac 14:22
 3. The nature of these trials are "various"
 a. Some trials come simply because we are human
 1) Sickness, accidents
 2) Disappointments, death
 b. Other trials come because we are Christians - 1 Pe 4:12;
 2 Ti 3:12
 4. But because Satan fights us, and the world opposes us, we can
 expect trials!
 
 B. WHAT IS TO BE THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSE? - "COUNT IT ALL JOY!"
 1. This was the attitude of:
 a. The apostles - Ac 5:41
 b. Paul - Ro 5:3; Ph 2:17-18
 c. The Christians - 1 Pe 1:6-8; 4:12-14
 2. So the first step to turning trials into triumph is to:
 IMMEDIATELY THANK GOD AND ADOPT A JOYFUL ATTITUDE!
 
["But how," we may ask, "is it possible to rejoice in the midst of
trials?" The second imperative in verse 3 explains how...]
 
II. "KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE" (1:3)
 
 A. THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VALUE OF TRIALS MAKES IT
 POSSIBLE TO HAVE A JOYFUL ATTITUDE...
 1. We are to understand that:
 a. Trials test our faith
 b. Faith tested can bring out the best in us!
 1) Just as fire purifies gold - 1 Pe 1:7
 2) Just as training makes the athlete stronger
 2. With this understanding, we can have joy in trials because we
 know that:
 a. Testing works FOR us, not AGAINST us - cf. 2 Co 4:17
 b. Trials rightly used help us to mature
 
 B. SPECIFICALLY, FAITH TESTED PRODUCES "PATIENCE"...
 1. Notice Ro 5:3-4
 2. In the BIBLE...
 a. "Patience" is NOT a passive acceptance of circumstances
 b. The GREEK word is HUPOMONE
 1) From the preposition HUPO (under), and MENO (to remain,
 to abide)
 2) It denotes the ability to exhibit stedfastness and
 constancy in the face of the most formidable difficulty!
 c. It is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering!
 d. It is the continuing on even when it is rough, despite the
 circumstances
 3. Such a quality of stedfastness can come only through 
 experiencing trials
 4. The value of developing PATIENCE will be seen shortly...
 
[Having this understanding about what trials can accomplish enables us to
have a joyful attitude toward such trials.
 
But to really benefit from our trials, we must also obey the third
imperative found in verse four...]
 
III. "LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK" (1:4)
 
 A. TO TRULY TURN TRIALS INTO TRIUMPH, WE MUST LET "PATIENCE" DO ITS
  WORK...
 1. Too often, we want to get our trials or difficulties over with
 quickly
 2. But there are times when the best course is to bear up under
 the trial patiently
 a. Instead of grumbling and complaining...
  b. ...patiently endure the trial, doing good despite the trial
 
 B. FOR WHEN PATIENCE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK, IT PRODUCES
 "MATURITY"!
 1. The word PERFECT does not mean sinlessness, but "completeness,
 wholeness, maturity"
 2. In the New Testament, it is used of those who:
 a. Have attained to spiritual manhood in Christ
 b. Have reached full maturity and understanding in spiritual
 matters
 c. Are no longer "babes" and immature persons in Christ
 3. Such maturity comes only when patience has had time to work!
 a. Consider, for example, an endurance runner in his training
 1) To be a mature runner requires letting patience do its
 work
  2) That is, patiently running mile after mile in training
 b. If we wish to run the race well spiritually speaking, we
 need to develop patience
 1) Which comes only through a form of spiritual "resistance
 training"
 2) That is, trials in which our faith is put to the test!
 
[Letting patience have its perfect work is not easy. It certainly 
requires wisdom which enables us to see the value of our trials.
 
This brings us to the fourth imperative necessary to turn trials into 
triumph, found in verses five to eight...]
 
IV. "LET HIM ASK OF GOD" (1:5-8)
 
 A. IF WE LACK WISDOM, ASK FOR IT FROM GOD!
 1. He has promised to give it liberally
 2. And He will not reproach us for making such a request
 3. Even as Solomon's request for wisdom was well-pleasing to God
 - 1 Kings 3:7-12
 
 B. WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS "WISDOM"?
 1. We should be careful to distinguish "wisdom" from "knowledge"
 a. Knowledge involves information, facts, etc.
 b. Wisdom is the ability or insight to properly use those facts
 in the most expeditious way
 2. Failure to understand this distinction has led many into error!
 a. Many believe that this passage (Ja 1:5-8) teaches that God
 will give knowledge concerning His Will in answer to prayer
 b. But knowledge comes only through His Word; we must carefully
 study it if we would know the Will of God!
 c. However, the WISDOM to properly use His Word can be received
 through prayer
 
 C. THE WISDOM TO PROPERLY USE TRIALS AND TURN THEM INTO TRIUMPH CAN
 LIKEWISE COME THROUGH "PROPER" PRAYER...
 1. Proper prayer is that asked in faith and with no doubt
 2. Otherwise, the prayer will not be answered by God
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So here is the key to turning trials into triumph:
 a. Having the knowledge and perspective that adversity can accomplish
 much good
 b. Letting the patient enduring of adversity acommplish its work
 c. All the while using the wisdom God gives in answer to prayer to
 help put it all together
 
2. When this is done, even trials can be a source of joy for the 
 Christian!
 
Have we learned to make lemonade out of our lemons in life?
 
Note: Much of the material for this outline was adapted heavily
from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe,
pages 337-340.

Trials Of Poverty & Wealth (1:9-11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. James has already discussed how we can turn trials into triumph,
 dealing with trials in general (1:2-8)
 
2. In verses 9-11, he discusses specifically the trials of being poor
 and being rich, and the attitudes we should have
 
3. In this lesson, we shall concentrate our attention on verses 9-11
 and passages elsewhere which deal with the subject of poverty and
 wealth
 
[Let's begin by noticing that both wealth and poverty can be a 
problem...]
 
I. THE TRIALS OF POVERTY AND WEALTH (cf. Prov 30:7-9)
 
 A. IN "POVERTY", WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO CURSE GOD...
 1. Like Job's wife wanted her husband to do, when they had lost
 everything - Job 2:9
 2. And as many do today when things don't go well
 
 B. IN "WEALTH", WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO FORGET GOD...
 1. As God warned Israel that it might happen to them - Deu 8:10-
 14,17
 2. And as it did in fact happen to them - Hos 13:5-6
 
[Having seen that both poverty and wealth have their own potential for
causing problems, let's now consider...]
 
II. THE REASONS FOR JOY IN POVERTY OR WEALTH (Ja 1:9-11)
 
 A. IF WE ARE "POOR", THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN "EXALTED"!
 1. God has chosen the "poor" to be rich in faith - Is 66:1-2;
 Ja 2:5
 a. It is the poor who first had the gospel preached to them
 - Lk 4:18
 b. It is the poor slave who becomes Christ's "freedman" - 1
 Co 7:21-22
 2. So even if poor, we can still be "spiritually rich" and on
 equal par with all Christians - cf. Re 2:8-9
 
  B. IF WE ARE "RICH", THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN "HUMBLED"!
 1. The rich are "humbled" by their:
 a. Becoming Christ's "slave" - 1 Co 7:21-22
 b. Being placed on an equal par with all Christians...in which
 riches mean nothing - cf. Re 3:11-19
 2. Why it is good that the rich be so "humbled"...
 a. Riches are temporary - Ja 1:10-11; Prov 23:1-5; 1 Ti 6:17
 b. Riches are unable to redeem our souls - Ps 49:6-9,13-20
 c. The love of money is a "quagmire" and a source of "self-
 inflicted injuries" - 1 Ti 6:9-10
 3. In other words, it is good that in coming to Jesus Christ we
 find these things out...
 a. Or we might have made the same mistake many make today
 b. Thinking that money provides true security (remember the
 rich fool? - Lk 12:13-21)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Even in the trials of poverty or wealth, there can be a cause for
 rejoicing!
 
2. For Jesus is "The Great Equalizer"
 a. Exalting the poor who are rich in faith
 b. Humbling the wealthy by basing their salvation not on wealth, but
 on that which cannot be bought: the blood of Jesus and the
 obedience of a humble and contrite spirit
 
3. Keeping these thoughts in mind will help us learn to be content in
 whatever financial conditions we may find ourselves; as Paul wrote:
 
 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
 whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. 12 I know both
 how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all
 things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
 abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ
 which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4)
 
The important question is not "How rich are you?" but "How rich IN FAITH
are you?"

The Christian & Temptations (1:12-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing
 with "temptations"
 
2. This is especially true for new Christians:
 a. For it can be frustrating to know that your sins have been 
 forgiven...
 b. ...only to immediately find yourself bombarded by temptations to
 continue in your sins
 
3. In Ja 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian in the form
 of:
 a. A PROMISE to those who endure temptations
 b. A CAUTION not to wrongfully impugn the source of those
 temptations
 c. AN UNDERSTANDING of how sin develops
 
[As we begin with verse 12, we notice...]
 
I. THE PROMISE (12)
 
 A. THE MAN WHO ENDURES TEMPTATION WILL BE "BLESSED"...
 1. The Greek word for "blessed" is "makarios"
 2. Which means "happy, blessed"
 3. The nature of the happiness enjoyed is described as the verse
 continues...
 
 B. FOR AFTER HE HAS BEEN "PROVED" HE WILL RECEIVE "THE CROWN OF
 LIFE"...
 1. The promise is that of "eternal life"
 2. The promise is given by Him Who cannot lie - cf. Ti 1:2
 3. The promise is given to those who "demonstrate" (prove) their
 love for God by their endurance of the temptations
 
[And so, to Christians facing temptations, first we have an ENCOURAGING 
word. As we read on, though, we notice a word of CAUTION...]
 
II. THE CAUTION (13, 16-18)
 
 A. LET NO ONE SAY THEY ARE TEMPTED BY GOD! (13)
 1. That is, to blame God for their temptations
 2. For God is so HOLY:
 a. He cannot be tempted by evil
 b. Nor does He tempt anyone to do evil
 
 B. SO DON'T BE DECEIVED INTO SUCH THINKING (16-18)
 1. God is the source of GOOD, not evil!
 2. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him!
 3. As an example, it was of His Own Will that He brought us forth
 a. Which He did by the "word of truth" (the gospel) - cf. 1 Pe
  1:22-23
 b. So we might be a kind of "firstfruits" (the "cream of the
 crop") of His creatures
 
[This being true, certainly God would not tempt us with evil! In fact, 
through the words of James God gives us insight into the development of 
sin which can help us to overcome sin...]
 
III. THE UNDERSTANDING (14-15)
 
 A. HOW SIN DEVELOPS...
 1. The first stage is TEMPTATION (14)
 a. This stage involves two things:
 1) LUST (desires, NKJV) - a strong desire for something
 2) ENTICEMENT - an opportunity and encouragement to satisfy
 the desire
 b. Put into a mathematical formula:
 
 Temptation = Desire + Opportunity
 
 c. E.g., a small boy is TEMPTED to steal some cookies when he
 WANTS them (desire) and has a good chance to get them and
 not be seen (opportunity)
 d. But remember, it is NOT a sin to be TEMPTED - cf. the example
 of Jesus, He 4:15
 2. The second stage in the development of sin is SIN ITSELF (15)
 a. Temptation leads to sin only when you yield and ACT upon it
 b. Sin therefore requires the added step of ACTION
 c. Putting it again in mathematical terms:
 
 Sin = Desire + Opportunity + Action
 
 3. The final stage is the consequence of unforgiven sin: DEATH
 (15)
 a. This refers to spiritual separation from God, which is the
 "wages of sin" - Ro 6:23
 b. Ultimately such "death" involves eternal punishment - Re
 21:8
 c. Putting it once more in the form of an equation:
 
 Desire + Opportunity + Action + No Forgiveness = Punishment!
 
 [Sin and Satan will have overcome if we receive this final punishment.
 But with this understanding of how sin develops, we are in a better
 position to overcome sin...]
 
 B. HOW TO OVERCOME SIN...
 
 1. CHANGE OUR "DESIRES"
 a. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best
  place for us to begin
 b. Bear in mind that it is a part of Christian growth to change
 our desires - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:24
 c. How do we change our desires?
 1) Notice that the WORD OF GOD has always been instrumental
  in helping people overcome sin - Ps 119:11; Mt 4:3-10
 2) To see how the Word of God can change our desires...
 a) As we read of God's love, longsuffering and mercy, we
 desire to serve Him - Ps 116:12-14
 b) As we read of sin and its damnable consequences, we
 come to hate it! - Ps 119:104