What lustful desires are drawing me away from Jesus?
Yesterday
Our focus was on God – His nature and what He is.
Today
In contrast, our focus will be on ‘each one of us’ — when we are tempted!
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Begin With Prayer
Lord, you brought us here today so we would not be deceived, thus we ask that You quiet our hearts to hear You speak to us. Help us to understand Your Truth in order to live it and know the fullness of blessing to bring You honor. Thank you!
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha usher you through your discovery.
How shall we get under way?
READ the Word
Let’s read James 1:13-18 asking the 5W’s and H.
The only way to learn this critical skill – is to do it.
According to James 1:16, what is James’ concern regarding temptations?
Let’s concentrate on James 1:14.
When is each one of us tempted?
So, what is the source of our temptation?
Unlock the Meaning
Remember, GODcha is there to help.
Let’s first reflect on tempted that is Key.
Understand God’s Words 
Check Out the Meaning
Dictionary Tutorial >Tempted, peirázō, experience, trial. To try, to prove in either a good or bad sense, tempt, test by soliciting to sin (Gal 6:1; Jas 1:13, 14).
What’s interesting is this is the same word James used for ‘trials’.
The type of ‘test‘ that James wants us to view is temptation.
This explanation below helped my understanding. I hope it does yours too!
“The basic meaning of temptation (peirasmos) is simply to test or prove, and has no negative connotation. Whether it becomes a proof of righteousness or an inducement to evil depends on our response. If we resist it in God’s power, it is a test that proves our faithfulness. If we do not resist, it becomes a solicitation to sin. The Bible uses the term in both ways.” John MacArthur
Let’s Zoom in on Tempted!
How does James say we are tempted?
Did you see that ‘lust‘ is a huge problem?
Unlock the Meaning
Let’s reflect on ‘lust’ which is Key because it is the source of our temptations!
While we’re at it, let’s check out ‘carried away’ and ‘enticed’!
After all, they are just a tap away!
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Lust, epithumía; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):—concupiscence, desire. A strong desire or impulse, a longing or a passionate craving.
Carried away, exélkō; to drag forth, to entice (to sin):—draw away, to lure something.
Enticed, deleázō; To bait, entrap.
TIP: Remember to take the definitions back to the text for clearer understanding.
13 “Let no one say when he is tempted [tried, tested, solicited to sin], “I am being tempted [tried, tested, solicited to sin] by God“; for God cannot be tempted [tried, tested, solicited to sin] by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14 “But each one is tempted [tested, tried, solicited to sin] when he is carried away [drawn away, lured] and enticed [baited] by his own lust [desire; passionate craving].”
Now Stop! THINK about what you have discovered…
It is ‘our own‘ lust [that longing, passionate desire within] that carries us away [lures us, draws us away] and entices us [bait is set to trap us].
1. Understand: It is ‘our own‘ lust. The responsibility is on us!
I find in my own life it is easy to shift the blame to others.
2. Understand: Since it is ‘our own’ lust, what is a huge temptation for some is NOT tempting at all for another.
For example: some are lured by arrogance, others by self pity. Some are lured by sex, others by food. Some are lured by envy, others by anger.
3. Understand: The motivation to bite the bait comes from our own lusts!
So, who or what is luring and baiting you?
God Uses Truth to Explain Truth
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial.
Let’s try to understand ‘our own’ lusts by checking out the Cross References that GODcha suggested.
1. What are the 3 areas of lust we must be aware of?
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1Jo 2:16)
2. What do you learn about each area of lust?
a. The Flesh
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (Rom 7:18)
b. The Eyes
(GODcha didn’t have a suggestion so I used it’s Word Search)
CR-WS Video Tutorial > CR-WS Tutorial >
When the woman saw … the fruit of the tree … she took … it. (Gen 3:6)
Achan … saw … the plunder … and … took them. (Jos 7:20-21)
David … saw a woman … and took her. (2Sa 11:2-5)
c. The Boastful Pride of Life
(Again, GODcha didn’t have a suggestion so I used it’s Word Search)
CR-WS Video Tutorial > CR-WS Tutorial >
Satan was thrown out of heaven because of his pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. (Isa 14:12-15)
3. What are we to do with our lusts?
a. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Rom 13:14)
b. Flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. . . (2Ti 2:22)
c. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Gal 5:16-17)
As the Cross References are not exhaustive, you might try a Word Search to discover more Truth.
What Have We LEARNED?
Let’s Sum It Up!
The Lust of the Flesh
The Pride of Life
The Lust of the Eyes
We must:
Make no provision for the flesh.
Flee from our lusts
Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
Walk by the Spirit
HEAR God Speak
LISTEN….
What ARE the ways I am tempted?
What are the things, the desires that want to draw me away from
Jesus and all He has for me?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
You have come this far, don’t skip this part!
Engage with God!
Experience Him!
That’s It For Today!
Meditate on all that God has shown you about temptation and the progression thus far.
“I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word,”(Psa 119:15-16).
Journal In Your Notes
Yes, record what you LEARNED about lust from the Definitions and Cross References not only in your Notes, but also in your hardbound Bibles next to Jam 1:14-15.
Video Tutorial > Notes Tutorial>
Turn What You Have Learned Into a Prayer
Perhaps…
OH FATHER GOD,we are most grateful for Your Word of Truth. Thank you for teaching us about our temptations. Oh Father, sink these mighty Truths down deep into our hearts and minds. May we remember that the source of our temptations is our own lust – that being the lust of our flesh and eyes, and the pride of life. Oh Father, help us to be alert and not be carried away or enticed by our own lusts. May each one of us put on Christ and be like Him who is: righteous, love and peace! May we be vigilant and not make any provision for our flesh. May we guard what our eyes look at. Oh, please quicken our hearts when we are prideful! Show us what we are prideful about, and then may we deal with it. May we make a conscience effort to walk by You, Holy Spirit, moment by moment, sensitive to Your voice and leading, being obedient to flee our lusts, not carrying them out. I would ask that each one of us would commit to pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace. Oh may each one of us experience victory! We pray this in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Stay tuned, this all will become very practical in the next few days.
Next: we will LOOK @ ‘how’ we resist temptation.
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