2011_03_22 Session 02 Real Faith Real Life

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Real Faith for Real Life Faith Service Worship Vision

There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds. These sessions are not about opinion, they are about learning truth, the truth contained in the Bible, together we are going to focus on how we apply God’s truth, black & white in a grey world. To set godly priorities, grow in Christian character and live according to God’s standards so that we are a living witness to others. Notes from previous sessions are available from the Bible Study Section of www.ashingdonelim.co.uk.

Session 2

22 March 2011

Facing Temptation James 1:12-1:18 In our last study, we began a series on the book of James called Real Faith for Real Life. In this study our focus is on what James tells us about temptation and how we can face it and survive it. James told us to rejoice in trials of many kinds because it tests our faith and develops perseverance and persevering through trials helps mature and complete us. Now James talks about temptation and what we need to know when we face temptation and sin so that we are able to overcome them. One of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing with “temptations.” this is true for most Christians.

Temptation. What comes to mind when you here that word? Temptation comes in many different forms for different people. n

Sometimes it looks like a person. You may be tempted to think about that person or be with that person in a way that does not honour God.

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Sometimes temptation looks like money. We want more and more and are tempted to do things to get money that we know are wrong.

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Sometimes temptation comes in the form of alcohol or drugs. We want to feel differently from the way we do now so we seek to change our feeling with alcohol or drugs.

Temptation lies to us, it promises one thing and delivers something entirely different. It promises joy, but delivers heartache. It promises fullness or satisfaction, but delivers emptiness. It promises life, but it delivers death. Often even when we know this, temptation comes again and it seems to gain victory over us.

Do you find it frustrating that even though your sins have been forgiven you find yourself still temptated to sin? Why? How can we face temptation and survive it? In James 1:12-18, we find helpful words for the Christian in the form of: n

A PROMISE to those who endure temptations.

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A CAUTION not to wrongfully assign the source of those temptations.

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AN UNDERSTANDING of how sin develops.

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. 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 one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 12

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2011_03_22 Session 02 Real Faith Real Life by Estuary Elim Church - Issuu