Temptation

DISCIPLESHIP LESSON 6

TEMPTATION

This week’s teaching:  James 1:1-12

ASSIGNMENT:
1.  Pray 15 minutes per day
2.  Bible memorization:  I Cor. 10:13, Ephesians 6:10-12
3.  Written study

SECTION I

Temptation never ceases; however, Christ’s power within you is eternal and
it grows.    I John 4:4 states emphatically:  “Greater is He that is in you,
than he that is in the world.”

1.  Discover the source and causes of temptation in the following verses:
a.  Who is not the source of temptation?  (James 1:13)

b.  Who is the tempter?  (Matt. 4:1-3)

c.  What causes us to be drawn into temptation?  (James 1:14)

2.  In I Corinthians 10:13:
a.  What limit does God place on temptation?

b.  What is God sure to provide when we are tempted?

3.  What are two essentials for victory over temptation and sin?

4.  Write the reason for each piece of armor provided by God to the Christian
in Ephesians 6.
a.  A belt

b.  A breastplate

c.  Shoes

d.  Shield

e.  Helmet

f.  Sword

5.  In James 1:5, wisdom is the ability to meet life and all its testings
with actions and decisions consistent with the will of God.
a.  How may a man have such wisdom?

b.  In what areas do you have problems with decision making?

SECTION II
Christ does not promise to take temptation from you but rather promises to
provide a way of victory through it.  In Christ, temptation can be overcome.
1.  James gives the simple answer to overcoming temptation.  To whom should
you submit and who should you resist?  (James 4:7-8)
Submit:

Resist:

2.  Write in your own words what you should trust Christ for as outlined in
Colossians 2:6-7.

3.  How can we employ the sword of God’s Word for defense against temptation?
(Psa. 119:9,11)

4.  List four ways we can use the sword of God’s Word in an offensive action.
(II Timothy 3:16-17)

5.  What should be our attitude toward adversity and temptation if we claim
Romans 8:31?

6.  Meditate on John, chapters 16-18.

SECTION III
When temptation comes, turn to God in prayer asking for deliverance.  Walk
away from the evil; don’t look at it; don’t talk about it, don’t touch it.
Solomon talks to us in Proverbs 4:18 “But the good man walks along in the
ever-brightening light of God’s favor.”
1.  In Exodus 14:1-14, the Israelites experienced a disguised blessing.  As
you read, notice the human viewpoint of the people and God’s viewpoint
as seen in Moses.
a.  How did the Israelites react to apparent danger?  (Exodus 14:10-12)

b.  Notice how Moses reacted.  What did Moses command the people to do.
(Exodus 14:13-14)

c.  Can you state the blessing God wrought in their hearts and minds
through this experience?  (Exodus 14:31)

d. Can you see how God works through the difficulties of life, and that
these difficulties are really disguised blessings?

2.  Give the Bible’s explanation of the purpose of disguised blessings in:
a. 11 Corinthians 1:3-4

b.  Hebrews 12:6-7,11

SECTION IV
1.  Read I Thessalonians 5:18 and Hebrews 13:15.
a.  What should be our response in all situations?

b.  Should we rejoice and give thanks when sorrow and tragedy come?

c.  How does this contrast with the attitude of the Israelites in
Exodus 14:1-12?

2.  How can such an attitude of trust be a reality in our lives?
Ephesians 5:18

Galatians 5:16

I Thessalonians 5:17

Romans 10:17

SECTION V
1.  Meditate on I Corinthians 10:13
a.  What is true about every temptation you face?

b.  What can keep temptation from leading to sin?

c.  Does God remove temptation?

d.  What does God do for you?

2.  What are three areas of temptation in the world? (I John 2:15-16)

APPLICATION:
What is a temptation that frequently overcomes you?

SECTION VI
Meditate on James 1:1-12
a.  Observe the progression in the life of a believer, beginning with the
situation of temptations. (James 1:2-4)

b.  What is the ultimate benefit which comes to the believer who is
victorious in the process of James 1:2-4?

c.  Is this blessing only a reward to be received in the distant future,
or is it attainable in the daily life of the believer?  Explain.

d.  The word “perfect” of verse 4 has in it the idea of maturity, full
grown stature.  Compare Ephesians 4:13 and Colossians 4:12 in various
versions.  The word does not mean sinless.

On the basis of your analysis of these verses, explain why James can
open the paragraph with the bright words, “Count it all joy.”

SECTION VII
1.  When the devil tempts you, what is he seeking to do? (I Peter 5:8)

2.  What does God do for you?  (11 Thessalonians 3:3)

3.  What does Hebrews 4:15 tell you about Jesus Christ?

4.  What are some of the things you can do to keep temptation from leading
into sin?
Matthew 6:9, 13

Psalm 119:9,11

I John 5:4-5

James 4:7

5.  Consider that James looks at the trials and difficult circumstances of
life as test to faith.  What may happen to a person’s faith in times of
great testing? (James 1:3,4,12 and I Peter 1:6-7)

APPLICATION:
What benefits have you observed coming out of trials?