How to Deal with Trials | Sometimes We Set Ourselves Up for Temptation

A New Beginning presents a new book from Pastor Greg Laurie. We are offering a brand new resource called The House of David Devotional and it's based on the great Psalms of David as well as the life of David. So I'm going to put this brand new devotional in your hand so you can learn from this man of God. Or your gift of any size at harvest.org.

It's the official companion resource for the new Amazon TV series also called The House of David. You play a key role in your own temptation. Satan needs our cooperation. Listen, where there is no desire on our part, then there's no temptation. Temptation is often everywhere we look.

Well today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie says we can make the choice not to look. It's not a sin to be tempted. It's a sin when you give in to the temptation. The sin is not in the bait, it's in the bite. Some people make a double batch of cookies and then wonder why they're tempted to eat sweets.

Some make sure their new car has a supercharged mega hemi turbo GT engine and wonder why the police seem to be handing out more speeding tickets. Well today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us take an honest look at temptation and how we often set ourselves up for the fall. We'll learn to recalibrate and set ourselves up for more success and more satisfaction. James chapter one. This book was written to the Jewish people who were scattered all over the place. There was a time when Israel ruled their own land and they had their kings like David and Solomon. Well those times were over. Now the occupying force was Rome.

They were effectively under the control of the Caesars and the various Roman governors and they were suffering and they were unhappy. So the book of James was written for suffering people and maybe I'm talking to somebody right now that's suffering in life then this book is for you. The book of James was written by the half brother of Jesus. So James who knew Jesus very well is the author of this book. Yet he never name drops. He doesn't even identify himself as having any connection to Jesus via the family. He just declares himself as a servant.

Let's read about it. James 1 verse 1. James a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad. Greetings my brothers. Count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have its perfect work so that you may be complete and perfect lacking nothing. Okay so we need to make a choice to rejoice when we go through times of trial. We need to make a choice to rejoice.

So get verse two again. My brothers counted all joy when you fall into various trials. Another translation says counted pure unmixed complete and total joy.

Wait what? When I'm going through a trial I'm supposed to have total joy during that time. Well what does that even mean? James is not saying that trials themselves are joy because usually they are not.

Hebrews 12 11 says no discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. So when James is saying consider it joy he's just saying make a choice to rejoice. I know this is hard. I know you wish it wasn't happening. I know you wish it was over but despite that I'm going to choose to rejoice regardless of my emotions. See that's very important. This is not a matter of feelings. This is a matter of the will. The more we rejoice in our testings the more we realize they're not liabilities but privileges.

Ultimately helpful not harmful no matter how severe they may appear. Example Jesus Christ heading to the cross. His back has been ripped open by the Roman whip. He's weakened by the beatings and blows to his face and having the beard ripped from his face and yet we read as he's carrying that cross in Hebrews 12 for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross despising the shame. Where was the joy? His people the crowds were jeering him. His disciples were largely in hiding and yet there's Jesus carrying the cross for the joy that was set before him.

What that means is because of what Calvary would accomplish he pressed on. The joy that was set before him was you. The joy that was set before him was me. It was us. It was the world that he would redeem who would put their faith in him because he would die for our sins and so that's what kept him going.

Here's an example of people more like us. Paul and Silas thrown into a dungeon for preaching the gospel. Yet we read at midnight Paul and Silas saying praises to God and the other prisoners were listening. Philippians 4 says rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.

You make a choice to rejoice. Point number two trials happen to make us stronger in every way. Trials happen to make us stronger in every way. Look at verse three knowing the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. Now by the way the word patience is probably not the best translation.

I'm reading from the New King James version here. It comes from a Greek word that translates out to toughness or fortitude. Another translation uses the word endurance or staying power okay. So trials come into our life to produce endurance and staying power. Trials make you stronger not weaker. Modern translation of James 3 4 goes as follows so let it grow and don't try to squirm out of your problems for when your patience is finally in full bloom you're ready for anything strong in character full and complete.

I like that translation. Point number three it's through trials we learn great wisdom. It's through trials we learn great wisdom. Go to verse five with me if you would. If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to all liberally or generously and with our approach and it will be given to him but let him ask in faith with no doubting for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Let not that man suppose he'll receive anything from the Lord for he's a double-minded man unstable in all his ways. Powerful verses. If you're lacking wisdom ask God.

If you don't know what to do ask the Lord. Now through modern tech we have access to more information than we've ever had in the history of the entire planet. Google it or you just say hey Siri what about this or hey Alexa what about that or hey Google you ask a question and you may get an answer but our knowledge is a mile wide and an inch deep. The problem is we've acquired knowledge without wisdom. Through knowledge we've learned to travel faster than sound but we show our lack of wisdom by going faster in the wrong direction. What we really need is wisdom. So what James is saying if any of you lack wisdom if you don't know what God's will is ask him.

I pray so often Lord as we have this meeting or Lord as we deal with this topic or Lord as we plan for the future you've told us in scripture if anyone lacks wisdom let them ask of you and you'll give it to them generously. Lord would you give us your wisdom right now. Show us your will right now because there's so many choices in life starting with Taco Bell. What's going on over there?

I love Taco Bell but I don't recognize the menu anymore but choices these are silly choices but there's big choices in life. We need God's wisdom on who we're going to marry. We need wisdom about the career path we're going to follow or the ministry we're going to pursue but here's what the Bible says. God will answer this prayer so ask for it in faith. When you ask God to give you his wisdom you're praying according to the will of God. As James said don't don't doubt what you're praying for or you're like a wave tossed back and forth.

Pray believing God will give it to you. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Hearing about listeners who find Jesus because of Harvest Ministries is so encouraging. Pastor Greg both of my sons accepted Jesus because of your ministry. My oldest and one of your harvest crusades and my five-year-old as we listened to you on the radio as I was driving him to school. I knew he had prayed the prayer of salvation when I looked over as he had tears in his eyes looking out the window. It was so precious and sweet to see that. Thank you Pastor Greg.

What a great story. If you'd like to share with Pastor Greg send him an email greg at harvest dot org that's greg at harvest dot o-r-g. And now Pastor Greg continues his message called how to deal with trials and temptations. God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation. Again God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.

Let's read a bit more. James 1 verse 12 blessed is the man who endures temptation for when he has been approved he'll receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted I am tempted by God for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he himself tempt anyone.

Don't miss this verse underline these words. Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and is enticed. Then when desire is conceived it gives birth to sin and sin when it is full grown brings forth death.

We'll stop there. So question where does temptation come from? Of course the devil's involved in it but don't miss this. You play a key role in your own temptation.

Satan needs our cooperation. Listen where there is no desire on our part then there's no temptation. And in these verses we have the five steps of temptation. Verse 14 everyone is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires. So it starts with the temptation itself.

Everyone is tempted. I know you think you're crazy because you were tempted to do a certain thing but the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10 13 there's no temptation taking you but such as is common to man which means other people have been tempted to do that too. Don't think you're the worst person on earth because the temptation came your way. It's not a sin to be tempted. It's a sin when you give in to the temptation. The sin is not in the bait it's in the bite. If you see the bait acknowledge the bait and don't bite you have not sinned.

It's when you take a nibble or worse a full bite that it happens. So everyone is tempted. It happens to the best of us and there's always a way out. Number two okay so first there's a temptation but maybe now you're under its power.

Verse 14 you're drawn away by your own desires. You decide to take it out for a test drive. That's what car dealers always want you to do. You want to take it out for a spin. No I don't want to buy this car.

Come on just take it out for a drive and then you'll be stuck in a car with me peppering you with pressure. Or the free sample. We were at a farmer's market yesterday walking around. There was guys some soup I walked right by them. I'm not really a big soup guy. Soup to me is like why? It's a good start I guess. Sort of like salad but no you know. So he says try a sample. No it's okay I'm good.

No try it. Okay how much is it? Like see it was really good soup. Very hearty soup and so I bought a bag of soup.

I don't I went to Kathy. Look I bought a bag of soup. A frozen bag. Like why? It was good. Why did I buy it? The free sample got me. So the devil says hey sorry to compare the soup to something evil.

It was actually good but here's a free sample. Just take a taste. Let the thought run through your mind a little bit. Just play with this a little bit. You don't have to do it.

Of course you would never do it. But just start here. Here's the problem. What makes temptation difficult for many people is they don't want to discourage it completely. So now you're almost hooked. Verse 14 a man is drawn away by his own desires and is enticed.

So you're really close now. Here's the temptation. You say no. You take it for a test drive. You take the free sample. You're moving it around in your mind and now it's becoming more appealing and you find yourself giving into it but you haven't done it yet. You can still pull away. No you keep going.

The hook is now set. Verse 15 and when desire is conceived he gives birth to sin. So you act on that evil thought and now boom the sins happen. Okay now there's sometimes a little pleasure but short-lived right.

The bible talks about the pleasures of sin for a season. For a moment oh this is fun but then the guilt kicks in. Then the remorse kicks in. Depending on what you did the consequences kick in.

That dead feeling one gets when they're separated from God in fellowship. Thankfully we can repent and be forgiven of our sin but this is what James is warning about. Some would say well hey it's not my fault. It's God's fault. He gave me more than I can handle.

No he didn't. Go back to James 1 13. Let no one say when he is tempted I'm tempted by God. God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he himself tempt anyone. Well this person it's their fault.

Yeah that's what Adam said in the Garden of Eden. You have to take responsible for your own actions. Okay question. When does temptation usually come? This might surprise you.

Answer. Often after times of great blessing. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin John. The father spoke from heaven and said this is my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased and the Holy Spirit came upon the Lord in the form of a dove. That was a blessed moment. Immediately after this the bible says he went into the wilderness to be tested and tempted by the devil for 40 days immediately. So a lot of times right after the blessing it comes.

So it could be after church. Oh wasn't that great man. I love that. A great time of worship. Message.

But everything else was great. But then all of a sudden you're tempted. I mean maybe it's just like you get mad because someone pulled in front of you laying on the horn. You idiot. Oh wait. Or maybe you get a little bit into an argument with your spouse.

Or maybe you go and do something you should not do. The temptations will hit you after you have been blessed. All right so let's sum this all up.

Number one. We're going to go through times of trial. But they'll make us stronger not weaker.

Good news. Trials like storms have a beginning a middle and an end. You might be in a trial right now but the clouds may open and the sun may come out tomorrow morning. So take heart. Whatever you're going through isn't going to last forever. Number two. Make a choice to rejoice in your times of trial.

It has nothing to do with how you feel. You choose to give thanks to God. Thirdly God will guide you and give you the wisdom you need in life.

Ask him for it. Fourth and lastly. Temptations will come but there's always a way out. And again the reminder that if you're being tempted and if you're being tested that would be an indication you're on the right track spiritually.

So let me loop back to something I said earlier. Jesus for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and now is set down at the right hand of God. Why did Jesus die on the cross? He died for the sin of the world. He did not come to this earth to be a good example. He came to this earth to be our suffering savior.

He came to lay his life down in our place and absorb the wrath of God in our place and then he rose again from the dead three days later. And that same Jesus who suffered and died stands at the door of our lives and he knocks and says if we'll hear his voice and open the door he'll come in. Maybe I'm talking to somebody right now who is going through a time of suffering and and you feel like you're all alone.

Well you don't have to be. God can enter into your problems with you. Enter into your suffering with you. He can even step in and heal you or or change your circumstances if he chooses to do it. But you don't want to go through these things alone.

You need Jesus. And Jesus says to his followers I'll never leave you or forsake you. And that's what's so wonderful about being a Christian is I'm not alone in life anymore. God walks with me each and every day and he'll walk with you as well. But you have to ask him into your life. He will not force himself into your heart or into your life. He he stands at that door again and knocks.

You have to hear his voice and open the door. Will you open that door to Christ? If you've never asked Jesus to come into your life you can do it right now. And if you need to do that let's do it as we close in prayer. Let's pray together.

Father speak to the heart of every person here. And if there's anyone here that does not yet know you let this be the moment they believe. The moment they're forgiven of their sin. The moment that they transfer their future from hell to heaven and start living a life with hope. Speak to them we pray.

Amen. Today on A New Beginning, an important prayer from Pastor Greg Laurie for those who want to make a change in their relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg maybe somebody would like to do that right now. Could you help them with that?

Sure I'd love to. I would like to just pray a prayer and I would ask you to pray it after me. You might even pray it out loud. Pray these words. Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner but I also know that you are the savior because you died on the cross for my sin and you rose again from the dead.

Jesus come into my life and forgive me of every sin I've ever committed. I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer. Thank you for answering this prayer Lord and I pray all of this in Jesus name.

Amen. If you just prayed that prayer and meant it I want you to know on the authority of scripture God Almighty has heard your prayer and he will answer this prayer. You are now a newly minted child of God so congratulations you've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God.

I want to send you a special gift because of that prayer you've just prayed. It's called the New Believers Bible. So the New Believers Bible is the New Testament in the New Living Translation with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you are making to follow Christ. There's some other materials included as well in what we call the New Believers Growth Pack but let me get this New Believers Bible into your hands as quickly as possible.

Here's Dave to tell you more. Yeah we'll be glad to send it all your way free of any charge if you prayed along with Pastor Greg today. Just ask for the New Believers Bible when you call us at 1-800-821-3300.

You can reach us anytime 24 7 at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click know God. And Pastor Greg we're so thankful for the work God is doing through this ministry. Yeah. We're touching lives for eternity and we're really thankful for our friends who see the fruit of this ministry and invest so this work can reach even further.

Isn't that right? Absolutely. When you invest in Harvest Ministries you're investing in the souls of men and women, boys and girls. And what is the value of a soul?

Well let me personalize it. What's the value of your soul? What's the value of the soul of your husband, your wife, your son, or your daughter, or your mom or your dad, or your best friend?

Well I would say you probably couldn't put a price tag on it. It's so valuable. Well listen God says all souls are mine.

God loves us and sent his son to die on the cross to pay the price for all of our sins so we could be forgiven and come into a relationship with him. I can't think of a better investment of my resources, of my money, than in the work of the kingdom of God. So we would ask you to prayerfully consider investing in Harvest Ministries as we continue on to fulfill the Great Commission. Yeah that's right and you can make your donation right now at harvest.org or write us at A New Beginning Box 4000 Riverside California 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300.

That's a 24-7 phone number 1-800-821-3300. Well next time Pastor Greg has some important insight on the power of the tongue. Good counsel on choosing our words wisely. Join us here on A New Beginning with pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.