James 1:1–18

BIG IDEA – Overcome trouble & temptation with God’s wisdom & patient endurance.

How to overcome trouble & temptation:

them.

Diagnose Trouble

James 1:2–4 (NLT) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Diagnose Temptation

James 1:13 (NLT) “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

for God’s help.

James 1:5-8 (NLT) 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

God’s reward.

James 1:4 (NLT) So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:12 (NLT) “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.”

* WARNING * Don’t be misled.

James 1:16-18 (NLT) So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

What Now ?

Approach God’s throne of grace.

• Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Continuing The Conversation

1. What’s your first reaction when life gets hard—do you ask God for wisdom or a way of escape? Why do you think that is?

2. When you face trouble or temptation, are there any lies you tend to believe about God or yourself?

3. Have you ever had any temptation experiences that verify this statement: “The bait is fake, but the hook is real.”

4. What would it look like for you practically to “come boldly to the throne of grace” to help you face trouble & overcome temptation?