Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Life is a testing ground, a time of probation. The tests, trials, and challenges come in many forms and from many sources. Some are easily recognized because they are so painful. Others may be difficult to recognize because they are not only painless, but they offer reward and\/or produce pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n We read no further than the second verse of the epistle of James before we learn that it is addressed to God\u2019s people who are being tested and tried. Anyone who has lived as a Christian very long can readily identify with the experiences described and addressed in James 1; the tests to our faith seem to come quite frequently. In fact, one who strives to live faithfully will find that life is almost one temptation, test, trial, and tribulation after another, because one is a Christian<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Preliminary Definitions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Between verses 2 and 14 of James 1 the English word tempt <\/em>in various forms is found seven times.1 Each of these is translated from some form of the Greek verb peirazo. <\/em>This word is capable of various connotations, depending on context. Vine points out that it \u201csignifies to try, attempt, assay…; to test, try, prove in a good sense…; [or] in a bad sense, to tempt of attempts to ensnare…; of temptations to sin…; of trying or challenging God….\u201d2 He further says concerning the noun form, temptation <\/em>(peirasmos<\/em>): \u201cused of trials with a beneficial purpose and effect, of trials or temptations, Divinely permitted or sent…; with a good or neutral significance…; of trials of a varied character…. Of trials definitely designed to lead to wrong doing…; of trying or challenging God, by men….\u201d3<\/span><\/p>\n The specific connotations of peirazo <\/em>must be determined by the context in which it occurs, for the most part. At least two of its major distinctive shades of meaning of are observable in James 1:<\/span><\/p>\n First<\/strong>, some trials are \u201cneutral\u201d relative to enticement or seduction to sin. These occur because we are physical creatures, we live among and are affected by other physical creatures, and we live in a world bound by blind physical laws. These trials attack us from the outside. Men sometimes bring such trials on themselves by their own behavior (e.g., consequences of personal sin, carelessness, foolhardiness, etc.). Men suffer other trials of this sort randomly, apart from personal cause or fault, as \u201cpart of life\u201d (e.g., terminal illnesses, automobile accidents, financial losses, personal\/property damage from storm or fire, grief, etc.). Some trials are peculiar to Christians (persecution for righteousness\u2019 sake), which are allowed by God to test and strengthen our faith. All such trials may make one either spiritually stronger or weaker, depending on the way one reacts to them. In none of these trials is there an actual enticement or encouragement to sin. However, our reaction to trial and persecution can cause us to sin (e.g., denying Christ to avoid persecution). Context suggests that James uses temptation <\/em>in verses 2 and 12 in the sense of testing and trials, which, if we pass, renders us approved.<\/span><\/p>\n Second<\/strong>, some challenges and trials involve temptation to sin. These occurrences contain the elements of enticement, solicitation, and seduction\u2014they attack from within the person. These testings are events pertaining to our lives which Satan uses and through which he appeals to fleshly desires in an effort to cause us to either neglect or transgress the law of God. This is definitely the sense in which James uses tempted <\/em>and tempteth <\/em>in verses 13 and 14.<\/span><\/p>\n James 1 also contains two other words related to his discussion of temptation and trial. The words proving <\/em>(trying<\/em>, KJV) (v. 3) and approved <\/em>(tried<\/em>, KJV) (v. 12) are from dokimazo<\/em>, meaning \u201c[a test] primarily, of metals…, to prove… more frequently to prove with a view to approval…. A test, a proof… the means by which a man is tested and proved….\u201d4<\/span><\/p>\n We now turn our attention to the challenging tests of life discussed in James 1, of which there are two of major significance: (1) trials created by persecution and (2) temptations, through which Satan entices men to sin.<\/span><\/p>\n The Test of Persecution\u2014James 1:2\u20134, 12<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;<\/strong> knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its<\/em> perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which <\/strong>the Lord<\/em><\/strong> promised to them that love him.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Fact of Persecution <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The first test of life discussed in James 1 is in verses 2\u20134: \u201cCount it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.\u201d It is apparent that the saints James addressed (i.e., \u201cthe twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion,\u201d 1:1) were undergoing some sort of challenging experiences of many and varied kinds (\u201cmanifold temptations\u201d). While the word temptations <\/em>appears in both ASV and KJV to describe what they were experiencing (v. 2), an ASV footnote suggests trials <\/em>as the possible meaning (see comments below on 1 Pet. 1:6, a parallel to Jam. 1:2). This footnote has merit. There is no indication in verses 2\u20134 that they were being enticed or seduced to be unfaithful. Rather, whatever they were experiencing was serving to prove or test (with a view to being approved) their faith (v. 3). The same is also true of verse 12, in which James connects temptations <\/em>with the process of approval. It therefore seems most likely that James was referring to the testing of their faith through persecution, with which the first century saints were well acquainted.<\/span><\/p>\n The persecution of the righteous began in the shadow of the Garden of Eden as righteous Abel was slain by his jealous brother, Cain (Gen. 4:3\u20138); it continued throughout Old Testament history. The prophets of God were treated in especially brutal and shameful ways as they fulfilled their God-given tasks. They were made to suffer…<\/span><\/p>\n …trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth (Heb. 11:37).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Lord acknowledged such in His brief \u201cbeatitudes\u201d statement: \u201cFor so persecuted they the prophets that were before you\u201d (Mat. 5:12b). He reminded the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem of the blood of the prophets which their fathers had shed; He accused His contemporaries of being just like them (Mat. 23:29\u201332). Then He wept as he further pointed out Jerusalem\u2019s long history of murdering God\u2019s spokesmen, knowing that they would soon do the same to Him (v. 37).<\/span><\/p>\n The Lord had promised and warned that all of His disciples could expect to be tested through persecution. His final \u201cbeatitude\u201d relates to persecution and the persecuted: \u201cBlessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness\u2019 sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven\u201d (Mat. 5:10). He followed these words by telling the disciples: \u201cBlessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake\u201d (v. 11). This is the only beatitude upon which Jesus elaborated, giving it special emphasis with two full verses of commentary. Surely this fact is a signal that the Lord recognized the great danger that testing by persecution would hold for His followers. Just after Peter\u2019s confession of His Deity near Caesarea the Lord issued a universal challenge: \u201cIf any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me\u201d (Luke 9:23). The verses in the immediate context (21\u201322, 24\u201326) imply that the \u201ccross\u201d each disciple is called upon to bear daily, if necessary, is suffering brought about by being faithful to Him\u2014persecution, whereby one\u2019s faith is tested.<\/span><\/p>\n Such testing began even while the Lord was still on earth. In their jealousy of Jesus and His rising popularity, the Jewish leaders struck such fear into the hearts of the people that they would not even discuss Him openly (John 7:13). They further decreed that anyone who confessed Him as the Christ should be discharged from the synagogue, which happened to some (9:22, 34\u201335).<\/span><\/p>\n The Lord plainly and repeatedly warned the apostles of the persecutions they would suffer:<\/span><\/p>\n But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you; yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles…. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name\u2019s sake (Mat. 10:17\u201318, 22a).<\/span><\/p>\n But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name\u2019s sake (Luke 21:12).<\/span><\/p>\n Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…. But all these things they will do unto you for my name\u2019s sake, because they know not him that sent me (John 15:20\u201321).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The apostles most certainly saw the Lord\u2019s warnings pertaining to them fulfilled, as they variously suffered arrest, court trials, extended imprisonments, beatings, stonings, mob violence, being chased from town to town, manifold indignities, the threat of death, and even death itself (Acts 4:1\u201322; 5:17\u201340; 9:23\u201330; 12:1\u20135; 13:50; 14:2\u20136, 19; 2 Cor. 11:23\u201327, 32\u2013 33; et al.)<\/span><\/p>\n In the early days of the Jerusalem Church, the blood of martyrs soon began to fertilize the seed of the kingdom as Stephen, the fiery evangelist, was stoned to death (Acts 7:54\u201360). This atrocity became the springboard for a wave of stringent, organized opposition by Jewish officials to the church in Jerusalem under the relentless leadership of Saul of Tarsus (8:1\u20133). When Paul wrote the Thessalonians he reminded them that they had \u201creceived the word in much affliction\u201d and had afterward experienced suffering, persecution and affliction (1 The. 1:6; 2:14; 3:3\u20134; 2 The. 1:4\u20137). The recipients of the Hebrews epistle were reminded that they had \u201cendured a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used…and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions\u201d (Heb. 10:32\u201334). And so it went with the saints in Philippi (Phi. 1:29\u201330), Galatia (Gal. 3:4), and other areas as well.<\/span><\/p>\n The brethren to whom Peter wrote had been \u201cput to grief in manifold trials\u201d which were \u201cfiery\u201d and which involved being reproached and made to suffer because they were Christians (1 Pet. 1:6\u20137; 4:12\u201319).5 Peter quite obviously referred to persecution in 1 Pet. 1:6\u20137, and since his terminology is almost identical to that of James 1:2, the implication is strong that outward persecution is what James was describing. To the warnings Christ gave about the sufferings that a wicked world would heap upon His followers, Paul added his inspired promise that reaches down to our time: \u201cYea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution\u201d (2 Tim. 3:12). Many a disciple has experienced exactly what Paul and Barnabas warned the brethren of: \u201cthat through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God\u201d (Acts 14:22).<\/span><\/p>\n The Varieties of Persecution <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Persecution has taken many forms and variations in different times and places, some of which have already been summarized. The Hebrew saints were \u201cmade a gazingstock\u201d and suffered the \u201cspoiling of…possessions\u201d (Heb. 10:33\u201334). The injury inflicted may be\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n A combination of all three of these have been employed at various times. In some areas of the world today (e.g., Islamic nations, Communist China) organized official (sometimes violent) oppression of Christians and the Gospel still prevails.<\/span><\/p>\n While there is some real persecution of the Lord\u2019s people in America, except for occasional isolated incidents, it is not violent. It is at present perpetrated by wicked individuals rather than as a matter of government policy. However, if the new paganism embodied in the philosophies of the New Age and Postmodern movements and fueled by the forces of atheistic humanism and liberalism (political, theological, and moral) entrenched in positions of great power continue to gain ascendancy, the next generation of saints may well live to see calculated, legislated, violent testing of their faith as in bygone ages. Some government regulations already in place have been so applied as to limit the discussion of the Gospel with one\u2019s co-workers on the job and to prevent private religious meetings in homes. The restrictions in public schools relating to anything related to the Bible are well-known (although witchcraft, pagan mysticism, Islam, et al., appear to have free expression).<\/span><\/p>\n The so-called \u201cpolitically correct\u201d speech and thinking that have been forced upon almost every facet of our culture and society are almost altogether anti-Bible and anti- Christian. It should not be surprising\u2014its sources are the powerful rabid humanistic and liberal forces already mentioned. When it is a more shameful in the minds of many to cry out against the abomination of homosexuality than it is to commit the act, the forecast of worse trouble for God\u2019s people is evident. When our fellow-citizens count it more reprehensible to display posters showing the graphic results of the abortion industry in protest of the practice than to commit the murderous act itself, then the signs are ominous for what may lie ahead. It does not require the wisdom of Solomon to see that if the militant homosexual and feminist forces continue to gain power we will soon be faced with federal legislation ordering us to install them as preachers, elders, deacons, and teachers or face crippling fines, seizure or property, and\/or imprisonment.<\/span><\/p>\n The Sources of Persecution <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Persecution may come from a variety of sources. As indicated earlier, government has often proved a cruel source of oppression. Employers, supervisors, or teachers in public schools or universities can bring tremendous emotional and\/or economic pressure upon those under their authority, even without legislative authority for their cruel work. Family members and dear friends are sometimes sources of sore persecution and trial.<\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps one of the most insidious sources of oppression and suffering for righteousness\u2019 sake is that which is inflicted by one\u2019s brethren. While it is never enjoyable to be persecuted from any source, it is not difficult to understand why various forces in the world hate us. In fact, such is to be expected because of the diametrical contradiction between their values and ours. It is especially painful when those who are doing their very best to be faithful to the Lord in every way are made to suffer by the very ones who should be applauding and encouraging them. Alas, the experience of many proves that Satan does not release his hold on the elect, including elders of the church, without a fight\u2014and he far too often wins the struggle. Elders have been ostracized and hounded from office because they dared be true to God and His Word and stand against any innovation in the church. Many Gospel preachers (and their families) have been shamefully treated by elders because one or two loud-mouthed men or women in the church (with deep pockets or some other fulcrum with one or more of the elders) did not appreciate the Truth he dared preach. Many times, such oppression causes not only intense emotional suffering for him and his family, but economic hardship as well. Apparently, Paul was acquainted with some such experiences which he described as \u201cperils among false brethren\u201d (2 Cor. 11:26). He knew agony of having Demas, a friend and brother, forsake him in an hour of severe need and trial (2 Tim. 4:10).<\/span><\/p>\n There is a sense in which God may be said to be the source of our testing and proving through trials and persecution. He allowed <\/strong>Job to be severely tried through persecution (Job 1:6\u201312; 2:1\u20138). He \u201cchastens\u201d His children through trial, affliction, and persecution, which He allows them to undergo in order to strengthen their character (Heb. 12:4\u201311). He \u201cproved\u201d and \u201ctried\u201d Abraham in commanding him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen. 22:1; Heb. 11:17 [peirazamenos<\/em>]). However, in none of the trials and tests which God allows does He ever attempt to entice men to sin (Jam. 1:13), which fact I will subsequently discuss in some detail.<\/span><\/p>\n Our Reaction to Persecution <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There is no cowardice or intimidation seen in these men when persecution, even the threat of death, was heaped upon them. The threats and beating the apostles suffered at the hands of the council in Jerusalem caused them to preach more boldly (Acts 4:17\u201321; 23\u201331; 5:40\u201342). When Paul almost died from being stoned in Lystra and was dragged out of the city, instead of slinking away to Derbe under cover of darkness, he got back up, went back into Lystra where he had just been brutally assaulted by a mob, waiting till the next day to depart (14:19\u201320). Rather than drowning in tears of self-pity and cowering in silent terror upon being arrested, having their clothes stripped off, being beaten with rods, placed in maximum security, and fastened in stocks, Paul and Silas openly prayed and sang hymns in the Philippian jail (Acts 16:22\u201325).<\/span><\/p>\n It is also notable that none of the above ever sought personal revenge against those who mistreated them. The Lord lived and died by His own doctrine: \u201cLove your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you\u201d (Mat. 5:44). Among His words uttered from the cross was the prayer for His murderers, \u201cFather, forgive them; for they know not what they do\u201d (Luke 23:34). Stephen followed both the teaching and the example of His Lord as wicked men hurled killer stones against him. As his life was slipping away, he prayed, \u201cLay not this sin to their charge\u201d (Acts 7:60). In light of Jesus\u2019 teaching and example and of his own teaching against personal vengeance (Rom. 12:17\u201319), it is likely that the prayers of Paul and Silas in the prison at Philippi included blessings upon their tormentors.<\/span><\/p>\n In summary, none of these men soaked themselves with tears of self-pity (\u201cWhy me, Lord?\u201d), but accepted their mistreatment with a meek and unvengeful spirit. Rather than being intimidated and silenced, their sufferings moved them to greater boldness. The reactions to persecution on the part of these great men serve as a model for all who are oppressed by ungodly men, whatever form of persecution one may suffer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Concerning the first source of our joy mentioned above, notice the way James moves from citing the joy we should have in trials to stating why <\/strong>we should rejoice in them: \u201cknowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. and let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing\u201d (Jam. 1:3\u20134; cf. Heb. 12:11b). Paul elaborates even further on this principle: \u201cWe also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope\u201d (Rom. 5:3\u2013 4). Peter expressed a similar idea, comparing the Christian\u2019s faith to gold that, when tested by trial of fire, may be refined to produce praise, glory, and honor to Christ (1 Pet. 1:7). Those who have emerged as stalwart defenders and promoters of the Truth in any generation have not done so accidentally or miraculously. Their faith, steadfastness, convictions, and courage were forged in the furnace of trial and testing, of persecution and opposition. The testing and opposition are painful and traumatic at the time, but once having survived them, our faith is stronger, our determination to serve the Lord more intense, and our longing for Heaven deeper. With the perspective of the passing of some years one looks back at earlier trials and sees that, when successfully met, they were the preparation ground for facing even worse foes and more formidable challenges. Young Gospel preachers should especially give attention to this principle. Knowing that even persecution is an opportunity for spiritual growth, let us rejoice in this fact.<\/span><\/p>\n But we should also rejoice in trials and persecution in view of the eternal rewards for the victors. Only through the tests and trials that God allows His people to experience can He (and we) know that we are fully devoted to Him. Anyone can give lip service to believing in God and His Word when the skies are blue, the sun is bright, and the wind is at our backs. The true servants of God are revealed when the storms of reproach, ridicule, humiliation, character assassination, loss of income, rejection, or even physical assault come because one dares to be true to Christ. \u201cRejoicing\u201d and \u201cpersecution\u201d are made companions in the Lord\u2019s commentary on the \u201cPersecution Beatitude\u201d: \u201cRejoice [upon being persecuted], and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven…\u201d (Mat. 5:12). The motivation of the reward that awaited the Christ produced in Him joy and the strength to endure the ordeal of the cross: \u201cFor the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross, despising the shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God\u201d (Heb. 12:2). Those who are faithful under fire can rejoice, knowing that \u201cthe sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward\u201d (Rom. 8:18). Coming from Paul, who knew fully what it meant to suffer for Christ, his words take on even greater meaning. But he says more: \u201cFor our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory\u201d (2 Cor. 4:17).<\/span><\/p>\n The Test of Temptation\u2014James 1:13\u201315<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Fact of Temptation <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There is a \u201cplan of salvation\u201d to rescue us from the guilt and eternal consequences of sin. There is also a \u201cplan of damnation\u201d by which men become guilty of sin and under eternal condemnation. James sets the latter plan before us in the text under consideration\u2014 temptation is the beginning point. As already defined, temptation is that process by which an appeal is made to one or more of our natural desires in such a manner as to entice us to transgress or fall short of the will of God. This began early in the lives of the race\u2019s initial pair (Gen. 3:1\u20136) and will not cease till the last trump of God heralds the coming of the Lord and the end of time. In the very nature of his constitution and his relationship to God and His Word, no accountable human being can escape temptation. Not even the Lord could: He was \u201cin all points tempted like as we are…\u201d (Heb. 4:15b; cf. 2:17\u201318).<\/span><\/p>\n The Source of Temptation <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n James emphatically tells us that God is not the source of temptation<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Satan is the fountainhead of temptation and has been from the beginning. Moses identifies \u201cthe serpent\u201d as the one who approached and tempted Eve (Gen. 3:1\u20135). He told her a lie (\u201cYe shall not surely die,\u201d v. 4) by which he \u201cbeguiled\u201d her (v. 13; cf. 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14). John identified him as \u201cthe old serpent [as old as Eden, DM!], he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…\u201d (Rev. 12:9; cf. 20:2). No wonder the Lord called him \u201ca liar, and the father thereof\u201d (John 8:44b)!<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus was \u201ctempted of the devil\u201d (Mat. 4:1; cf. Luke 4:2, 13) or \u201cSatan\u201d (Mark 1:13). On one occasion when Jesus prophesied His death and Peter argued that such would never happen, the Lord figuratively cast him in the role of Satan, the tempter: \u201cGet thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me\u201d (Mat. 16:23). The archenemy of God and man lurks around every corner and in every shadow, as a ravenous beast, stalking his prey and bent on devouring it if possible (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan is so universally recognized as the source of all temptation that Paul thought it superfluous to even name him when he referred to \u201cthe tempter\u201d (1 The. 3:5).<\/span><\/p>\n Although Satan is the father and source of temptation, he uses many agents in his work. He employs both men and women to deceive and entice others to sin. As part of his lying nature, he is the father of every false and damnable doctrine. \u201cThe man of sin… the son of perdition…the lawless one\u201d Paul described would come \u201caccording to the working of Satan…\u201d (2 The. 2:3\u20139). Satan would use this terrible one to deceive men with his doctrinal error so that they would believe them and be lost eternally (vv. 9\u201312). Thus, just as Satan is able to present himself as an \u201cangel of light,\u201d \u201chis ministers, also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness…\u201d (2 Cor. 11:14\u201315).<\/span><\/p>\n Satan appeals to men and women to gratify their sexual desires (normal and wholesome in God\u2019s framework of marriage, 1 Cor. 7:2\u20135; Heb. 13:4) in forbidden ways. He employs beautiful women to seduce and allure men to sin. Dozens of verses in the book of Proverbs warn of these dangerous agents of Satan (2:16; 5:3\u20138; 6:24\u201329; 7:5\u201327; 9:13\u201318). The Lord must have had this very source of temptation in mind to some extent when He warned men against looking with lustful eyes at a woman (Mat. 5:28). Satan has also used men to seduce women to engage in sexual sins.<\/span><\/p>\n The Avenues of Temptation <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Satan is clever, as indicated by Paul\u2019s reference to \u201cthe wiles of the devil\u201d (Eph. 6:11). He calculates and employs tactics and we dare not be ignorant of these \u201cdevices\u201d (2 Cor. 2:11). His three-point strategic plan is outlined as \u201cthe lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life\u201d (1 John 2:16).<\/span><\/p>\n The Bible records the details of Satan\u2019s abominable work in two well-known and pivotal occasions of temptation\u2014those of Eve in Eden and of the Lord in the wilderness. Notice the way Eve was snared by all three of these avenues:<\/span><\/p>\n Satan approached our Lord through these same three channels:<\/span><\/p>\n There actually are no other avenues through which Satan may tempt us, but he has so mastered the use of these as to lead the vast majority of mankind astray.<\/span><\/p>\n He does not directly\u2014in person\u2014tempt us as he did Eve and the Lord, but he nonetheless tirelessly (and effectively) goes about his work through a vast army of henchmen and agents. He uses money and other material things to lure men away from God. One of the most insidious appeals to this fleshly lust and greed is the almost universal state-sponsored lottery that ensnares many and separates many a fool (including some brethren) from his or her honest income. Jesus therefore warns us against piling up earthly treasures and serving \u201cmammon\u201d (money) instead of God (Mat. 6:19\u201324) and tells us of the \u201cdeceitfulness of riches\u201d (Mat. 13:22). Paul warns those who lust for wealth that they will \u201cfall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts… [and may be] led astray from the faith\u201d (1 Tim. 6:9\u2013 10). He uses the advertising industry to appeal to the lust of the eyes, prompting even the elect to lavish luxuries on themselves while billions are still without the Gospel.<\/span><\/p>\n He uses the print, film, and television media to produce and sell the most explicit forms of sexual perversion. Such temptations, coupled with added encouragement from immoral sex educators in the public schools, has produced an epidemic of childhood sexual activity in the last quarter century. This epidemic has spawned its own twin tragedies: the murder of millions of the unwanted resultant babies on the one hand or children giving birth to children on the other. Pornography is also a frontal attack on the stability of the home and family, tempting many through the lust of the eyes to fulfill the lust of the flesh, whereby they desert their pledged spouses and honorable marriage beds for the favors of others.<\/span><\/p>\n He has perfected the use of vainglory and pride in tempting men to sin and then holding him there. Many are they who sell their souls to the devil in a willing sacrifice of Truth, righteousness, family, and friends in order to snatch the gold ring of \u201csuccess,\u201d reputation, and fame as they ride life\u2019s carousel. How vain is all such glory! Perhaps even a sadder sight is to see those who were once enlightened and obeyed the Gospel become involved in sin and then, because of pride and vainglory, will refuse to confess and repent of their mistake. Indeed, Satan has honed his craft of temptation so well through the centuries that his avenues almost appear as Interstate highways!<\/span><\/p>\n While freely admitting that Satan is the ultimate source of temptation, this does not relieve man of his culpability when he succumbs to temptation and sins. God created him with the power to choose his own course of life (whether good or evil) and has supplied him with both the information and motivation to equip him for resisting temptation. Man is therefore \u201cwithout excuse\u201d (Rom. 1:20) and must without fail eventually give account of himself to God at the final Judgment which He will administer through His Son (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:6; 14:10\u201312; 2 Cor. 5:10).<\/span><\/p>\n The Associates of Temptation <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n James 1:14\u201315 reveals that temptation has several associates and \u201ccompanions in crime\u201d: Drawn away <\/em>is from exelko<\/em>, which means \u201cto draw out…to lure forth.\u201d \u201cThe metaphor is taken from hunting and fishing: as game is lure from its covert, so man by lust is allured from the safety of self-restraint to sin.\u201d7 Even before one is enticed to actually commit sin, he often cooperates with the devil in allowing himself to be lured to the place or circumstance of enticement. How important it thus becomes for us to avoid such situations, places, and associates that we know would subject us to unnecessary allurements. \u201cEvil companionships [whether of persons, places, circumstances, or things (TV, books, magazines, et al.)] corrupt good morals\u201d (1 Cor. 15:33) is a never-ending truism. There are some associations with evil that saints cannot avoid in spite of our best efforts because we live in a wicked world (1 Cor. 5:10). However, one who unnecessarily, and by choice, subjects himself to an environment of evil allurements is playing with fire that more often than not will burn him, perhaps forever.<\/span><\/p>\n Lust <\/em>(epithumia<\/em>) \u201cdenotes strong desire of any kind…\u201d8 It is a neutral term, the connotation of which must be determined by context. Clearly, James uses it here in reference to an evil desire to fulfill a fleshly appetite in an unlawful way, thus eventuating in sin and death (v. 15). The phrase, by his own lust<\/em>, emphasizes man\u2019s personal responsibility for controlling his fleshly desires and for his personal culpability when he fails to do so. As previously noticed, it is through such lusts that Satan approaches us. Temptation takes its toll when one has a strong desire to unlawfully fulfill a fleshly appetite and he allows himself to be drawn away by an agent of the devil to do so. Paul knew the importance of controlling the lusts of the flesh: \u201cI buffet my body and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected\u201d (1 Cor. 9:27).<\/span><\/p>\n Enticed <\/em>(dealeazo<\/em>) is another term relating to catching fish or animals, only this one goes farther, meaning not only \u201cto bait,\u201d but also to \u201ccatch by a bait…to beguile by blandishments, allure, entice, deceive.\u201d9 First, the fish or animal is lured from its lair (\u201cdrawn away\u201d), then it is hooked or caught in the trap (\u201centiced\u201d). Thus, temptation provides the allurement (bait) by which one is drawn away from Truth and righteousness through its appeal to fleshly lusts. Then follows the enticement and actual gratification of the lust through which one has been allured. Well did Peter plead: \u201cBeloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul\u201d (1 Pet. 2:11).<\/span><\/p>\n Peter changes his figure of speech from hunting and fishing to the conception-birth- maturation process. Lust is personified and is said to \u201cconceive\u201d from its union with the seed of temptation. This union and conception produce and give birth to a new entity called \u201csin,\u201d which, if allowed to grow to maturity, unchecked and unforgiven, will result in death. Such is the biography of sin, the devil\u2019s \u201cplan of damnation.\u201d Death <\/em>here is not physical death\u2014\u201cit is appointed unto men once to die,\u201d for saint and sinner alike (Heb. 9:27). Rather, this death is eternal separation from God in Hell: \u201cFor the wages of sin is death\u201d (Rom. 6:23).<\/span><\/p>\n The warning should be evident to all:<\/span><\/p>\n That which may seem to be a small and insignificant flirtation or temptation may lead to the very bowels of eternal Hell! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n