Temptations 

Scripture Reading: James 1:13-18.

Memory Verse: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Introduction: Webster's defines temptation as "the act of trying to persuade a person; to induce; to entice; to allure, especially to something sensually pleasurable or immoral." Temptation therefore involves someone trying to convince another to sin. But who is it who so willingly tries to persuade us to sin?
  Someone once asked, "Why does the Lord's Prayer include the request, 'Lead us not into temptation?' Is it God who leads men into temptation and we have to beg him to stop doing it?" Today's lesson will help answer the question of where temptation comes from, and it will also show us why our attitude in enduring temptation is vitally important.
  Temptation doesn't usually come when we are strong, it often comes at our weakest moments. When temptation hits us and we feel like reacting in an unChristian manner--beware--non-Christians are usually more impressed when they see how we act under pressure. One unChristian act in a time of weakness could possibly destroy a whole lifetime of witness!

Lesson Questions:

1. Does God ever entice people to sin? James 1:13; Revelation 15:4; Psalm 145:17; 97:10; Proverbs 8:13.

2. Who is the "tempter?" Genesis 3:1; Matthew 4:1-11; 16:21-23; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4; 1 Thessalonians 3:4,5.

3. What value is there in enduring temptation? 1 Peter 1:6,7; 4:12; Job 23:10; Matthew 5:11,12; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 11:26; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Romans 8:18.

4. What standard of holiness are we to strive toward? Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 6:1; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 1:13-16.

5. Examine the manner in which Satan lures men into sin. James 1:14; Proverbs 5:21-23; Genesis 3:4-6; 2 Peter 2:18,19; Romans 7:23; 13:14; Galatians 5:13-16.

6. What is the penalty of sin? James 1:15,16; Proverbs 14:12; 11:19; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:7,8; Revelation 21:8.

7. Whom does James credit as the source of all blessings? James 1:17; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 65:9; 23:5; 68:19; 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 25:4;
Lamentations 3:22-26.

8. Consider the ways in which God has blessed you through the past week--"every good gift" came from Him.