Overcoming Sin: James 1:12-15
Overcoming Sin: James 1:12-15
Overcoming Sin: James 1:12-15
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Overcoming Sin
TEXT: James 1:12-15
INTRODUCTION:
A. IN BAPTISM ALL OUR PAST SINS ARE CLEANSED( Acts 22:16 ).
B. THIS DOES NOT END THE PROBLEM OF SIN( 1 John 1:8,10; 1 Pet. 5:8 ).
C. SIN MUST BE OVER COME IN TWO WAYS:
1. By getting sin out of our lives( 1 John 2:1a ).
2. By knowing what to do when we do sin( 1 John 2:1b-2 ).
D. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW SIN DEVELOPS AND HOW TO OVERCOME.
I. HOW SIN DEVELOPS( James 1:12-15 ).
A. THE FIRST STAGE IS "TEMPTATION."
1. In vs. 14, we see that "temptation" includes two things:
a. Lust, epithumia, "denotes 'strong desire' of any kind." The word is used
of a good desire in Luke 22:15; Phil. 1:23; 1 Thess. 2:17, Vine.
a. Enticement, "Opportunity and encouragement to satisfy the desire.
2. Illustrate: I like Ice Cream. Is Ice Cream available? Am I enticed?
3. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted, yet without sin( Heb. 4:15 ).
B. THE SECOND STAGE: SIN OCCURS WHEN WE ACT ON TEMPTATION
( James 1:15 ).
C. THE THIRD STAGE INVOLVES THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNFORGIVEN
SIN: "DEATH( Jas. 1:15; Isa. 59:2; Rev. 21:8 )."
II. Romans 7:24. HOW TO OVERCOME SIN.
A. CHANGE OUR DESIRES. WORK ON THE HEART.
1. Since this is where the process of sin begins, it is the best place for us to begin
2. It is a part of our growth to change our desires( Rom. 12:9; Ga. 5:24 ).
3. How do we change our desires?
a. The Bible helps overcome sin( Psa. 119:11; Matt. 4:3-10 ).
1) Reading about God creates a desire to obey( Psa. 116:12-14 ).
2) Sin's consequences cause us to hate it!( Psa. 119:104 ).
b. Phil. 4:8. Think about good things( Psa. 1:1-3 ).
4. Studying God's Word overcome sin by "nipping it in the bud"!
B. LIMIT OUR OPPORTUNITIES.
1. First, ask for God's help( Matt. 6:13; 26:41 ).
2. Purposely avoid situations that might excite wrongful desires
1) Following the example of David( Psa. 101:3-4 ).
2) And the example of Job( Job 31:1 ).
3. Avoiding those whose evil behavior encourages us to sin with them
1) Again, David sets a good example( Psa. 101:6-7 ).
2) Paul also adds his warning( 1 Cor. 15:33 ).
4. People, places and things.
C. EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL.
1. How can we better exercise self-control?
a. Self-control is but one aspect of the "fruit of the Spirit"( Gal. 5:22-23 ).
b. A spiritual perspective produces this( Gal. 5:16-19; 1 Cor 2:14-16 ).
c. By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body( Rom. 8:12-16 ).
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