SERMON NOTES | The Fruit of Good + Evil
MESSAGE |
The fruit of good + evil
SERIES |
LIVING WISELY IN TURBULENT TIMES | A Study in James 1
SCRIPTURE |
James 1:13-18
SPEAKER |
Pastor Joseph Ardayfio
KEY THEME |
Temptations, as distinguished from trials, entice us to sin in order to get through the trial. We must recognize that these temptations do not come from God but from Satan who exploits the weaknesses in our desires, which give birth to sin, which then matures into death.
1) “A temptation is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way, outside of the will of God.”
2) We cannot blame God for our temptations. Rather, we must recognize that giving into temptation develops from weaknesses in the human heart.
a. One of the enemy’s tricks is to convince us that our Father is holding out on us, that He does not really love us and care for us.
b. As the deception grows, it produces desires which change our will to obey God’s way. Sin occurs whenever a person’s heart approves the performance of a sinful act.
c. It may take years for the sin to mature, but when it does, the result will be death.
3) 3) How do we overcome the fruit of evil desires within us?
a. If temptation directs us to challenge God, then knowing God’s character recognizes the detour.
b. If temptation directly challenges God’s instructions and places desire or lust in our heart, then knowing God’s truth makes the temptation impotent.
c. If temptation exploits our weaknesses, then God’s Word gives us ways to be protected in our most vulnerable areas.
thoughts for further study
1) Why does the enemy use the tactic of blaming God for temptations?
2) What things can you do to overcome the enemy’s tactics?
