WALKING IN WISDOM: God's Guidance For Daily Living // Sunday, May 18, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor
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Sunday, May 18, 2025
Walking in Wisdom
God’s Guidance for Daily Living
Tests and Temptations
The Bible talks about two types of testing: peirasmos
1. Trials (From God) –
To cause us to grow.
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2. Temptations (From Satan) –
To cause us to sin.
James 1: 12 – 15 (NLT)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
The process of overcoming temptations:
1. Be realistic.
When you are being tempted… (V13)
1 Corinthians 10: 13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Temptation proves you are human.
Hebrews 4: 15 (ESV)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
2. Be responsible.
James 1: 13 (NLT)
...remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
3. Be ready.
James 1: 14 (NLT)
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
A. How do I prepare for temptation?
Know your enemy!
2 Corinthians 2: 11 (NLT)
So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
B. How temptation works:
1) Desires.
Temptation comes from our own desires… (V14)
2) Deception.
...which entice us and drag us away. (V14)
a. Drag us away —
Snared in a trap.
b. Drag us away —
Lured by bait.
3) Disobedience.
These desires give birth to sinful actions.
a. Attention.
b. Attitude.
c. Action.
4) Death.
...when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (V15)
3. Be refocused.
James 1: 16 & 17 (NLT)
So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Philippians 4: 8 & 9 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
4. Be Reborn.
James 1: 18 (NLT)
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
1 Kings 18: 21 (NASB)
Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”
Matthew 6: 24 (NASB)
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.