Temptations and Trials Combated Step One Text: James 5:7-11 Introduction: The temptation and trials of life are terrible foes. If we give in to temptations they can enslave and destroy us before we know it. Temptations can hook us on the world and its possessions and pleasures or else they can destroy our wills, families, friendships, or jobs. The trials of life can unsettle and disrupt our lives, and if we are not on guard, they can crush us through some bad happening or accident, disease or death. How can we overcome temptations and trials—conquer and gain a permanent victory over them? There are two steps. The first step is covered in this passage: be patient—endure—keep your eyes focused upon the Lord’s return. Outline: I. Be patient, for the Lord is going to come again (v.7). II. Be patient as the farmer, for the Lord’s coming draws near (v.7-9). III. Be patient as the prophets in suffering, for they believed and spoke in the name of the Lord (v.10). IV. Be patient as job in suffering trials and temptations, for he saw at the end—that the Lord was full of compassion and mercy. (v.11). (7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7) I. Be patient, for the Lord is going to come again (v.7) Time and again Scriptures declares in no uncertain terms that Jesus Christ is going to come again and return to earth. • Christ is coming again to reward every person for his work. (27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27) • Christ is coming again to separate the sheep from the goats. (31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Matthew 25:31-32) • Christ is coming again to judge both the living and the dead. (1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick [living] and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1) • Christ is coming again to execute judgment upon the unbelievers and the ungodly of the earth. (14) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him [the Lord]. (Jude 14-15) • Christ is coming again to judge believers. (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) Note also what Scripture declares about the return of Christ and believers. It clearly declares how believers are to live. • Believers are to occupy themselves, be busy in serving the Lord until He comes. (13) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (Luke 19:13) • Believers are not to slack up one bit or lack a single gift until Christ returns. (7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:7) • Believers are to be without spot and unrebukeable when Christ returns. (14) That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Timothy 6:14) • Believers are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly until Christ returns. 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:12-13) • Believers are to live so as not to be ashamed before Christ when He returns. (28) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John2:28) Now this is the whole point of this passage. We must be patient—endure all temptations and trials of life, no matter how strong and terrible their onslaught may be. We must patiently combat their enslaving power and the spirit of discouragement and defeat that can sweep over our souls before we know it. The Lord is coming and He is going to reward or judge us. And one thing is sure: none of us want to be condemned when He returns. Therefore, how can we conquer the temptations and trials of life? How can we overcome them and be sure of being rewarded by the Lord when He returns? There is one way and only one way: be patient—endure—keep your eyes focused on the return of the Lord. The word “patience” (makrothumeo) means longsuffering, bearing and suffering a long time, persevering, being constant, steadfast, and enduring. Note: this is a very special kind of patience—a spiritual patience that never gives in; it perseveres and suffers on and on no matter what attacks it. Two significant facts need to be noted about this spiritual patience. 1st. Spiritual patience is not a passive acceptance. It does not just lay back and accept trials and temptations as though they are a part of life and nothing can be done about them. Spiritual patience is an active, fighting endurance that confronts trials and temptations and that sets out to conquer them. Gaining the victory is the very purpose for patiently confronting and standing fast against them. The believer patiently confronts them to conquer them, not to be defeated by them. 2nd. Spiritual patience is a fruit of the Spirit. When the believer faces some trial or temptation, the Holy Spirit arouses the urge to combat the situation and to conquer it. The arousal or the urge is stirred by the Spirit of God. It is up to us to respond and follow the urge of the Spirit and to persevere. It is up to us to refuse to give in to the enslavement or discouragement and defeat. This kind of patience is a spiritual patience—a work of the Holy Spirit—and it can be had only by trusting the Spirit of God. Therefore, the believer must trust the Spirit of God to stir his heart to stand fast against the temptation and trial, and then he must exert his own will and energy to conquer the situation. When the Holy Spirit does His part, the believer is to do his part. The believer is to stand fast and not to give in to the sin of the temptation or to the discouragement of the trial. He is to struggle and fight, persevere and endure—patiently suffer on and on against the temptation or trial—and all the while, he is to keep his eyes fixed on the goal and the end: the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keeping his eyes fixed upon the return of his wonderful Lord will stir the believer to follow the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit in combating all temptations and trials. (7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (9) Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:7-9) II. Be patient as the farmer, for the Lord’s coming draws near (v.7-9). The farmer is a good example of the kind of patient waiting believers must have as they wait for the Lord’s return. The farmer plants his seed and patiently waits for the early rain to germinate the seed and the later rain to ripen the crop. The farmer looks forward to the day of harvest with great expectation—so much so that he does all he can to protect the glorious day of harvest. He combats the trials of dry and wet weather, insects and disease, and the wild weeds and briers of the world. No matter what confronts him the farmer patiently endures the trial and combats it every step of the way. He does all he can to conquer the trial. Why does he labor so diligently? Endure so patiently? Because his eyes are fixed upon the great day of harvest. The example for believers is strong: “Believers—you also be patient- patiently endure just as the farmer. Do two things.” 1. Believers must “[e]stablish” (sterixate) their hearts. The word means to set upon; to fix upon; to make fast (W.E. vine). We must set our hearts upon the Lord’s coming, for His coming is near. The idea is that it is drawing ever so close and can happen at any moment. We must focus and set our hearts upon His return—be looking for it every day just as the farmer looks for his great day of harvest. Looking for the great day of redemption—for the Lord’s glorious return—will stir us to combat temptation and trial step by step. It will stir us to patiently endure no matter the situation, and by patiently enduring we shall gain the victory over all—no matter how bad the situation may be. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58) (1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) (9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9) (27) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27) (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1) (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9) (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (2 Peter 3:17) (11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11) 2. Believers must not complain, murmur, and judge other believers. We must not complain about our situations, our trials and temptations, and we must not blame each other for what happens to us. This is one thing God will not tolerate. Note the Scripture: if we complain, murmur, and grumble, we shall be condemned. And, “behold, the judge standeth before the door.” This is a warning, a strong warning. The Lord will judge all believers who complain, murmur, grumble, and judge others instead of conquering the trials and temptations of life. And His judgment is at hand, right at the door, ready to be executed against men. (10) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. (1 Corinthians 10:10) (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (Philippians 2:14) (3) The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3) (39) Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? (Lamentations 3:39) III. Be patient as the prophets in suffering, for they believed and spoke in the name of the Lord (v.10). (10) Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. (James 5:10) What James is saying is this: “Look at the prophets. Look at those who have gone before you—men and women who believed and hoped in God and bore witness to God. They faced all kinds of trials and temptations, but they patiently endured, combated and conquered them all. Look at the prophets, and you will have a great example to follow in patient endurance.” (36) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (38) (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38) The prophets patiently endured all the trials and temptations of life. They stood fast, held onto their faith in God, and combated the trials and temptations every step of the way. They refused to give in and to question and moan and grumble against God. Contrariwise, they continued to proclaim the salvation and hope of God for the world—continued to believe and to speak up for God despite the terrible trials and temptations that swarmed in upon them. (41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41) (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17) (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25) (20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (1 Peter 2:20) (10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10) IV. Be patient as job in suffering trials and temptations, for he saw at the end—that the Lord was full of compassion and mercy. (v.11) (11) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (James 5:11) Few people ever suffer the trials and temptations of life as much as Job suffered. He suffered utter bankruptcy—the loss of all his property, livestock, and employees—and then, in the severest blow of all, he lost all his sons in an accident. In addition to all this, his wife fussed at him because he refused to complain and curse God for destroying their lives. But note this: Job never gave in to the trials and temptations. He never forsook his faith in God. He did not understand all that was happening to him, but he refused to turn against God. He stood and patiently endured, struggling to conquer all and conquer it in the name of God. (15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (Job 13:15) (19) Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. (Job 16:19) (25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (Job 19:25) The point is this: Job kept his eyes fixed upon the end, that is, upon the Lord and the great hope of the Lord. The Lord carried Job through all his trials and temptations by blessing him with the very presence of God Himself—with the compassion and mercy of God. Job endured; therefore, we count him blessed or happy. Application: The believer is to bear the afflictions of trials and temptations by focusing his eyes upon the end, that is, upon the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we do, the compassion and mercy of God will flow both upon and through us. God will deliver us with His very own presence. He will deliver us through all the trials and temptations of life, giving us the most victorious life imaginable. (22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22) (12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12) (13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13) (19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (1 Peter 2:19) (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:9) (9) The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. (Job 17:9)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:22:28 +0000
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