Trials Lead to Temptation

6 Days

Day 2

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Welcome to day two of “How to Kill a Bad Habit.”

Today, look at what Holy Scripture reveals to us about what always precedes a temptation… a trial:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:2-5

Trials almost always lead to temptations. So, with that knowledge in hand, how do we embrace the words of James and put practices in place to change the result of our trials? How can we make informed decisions and outsmart the enemy of temptation? Let’s find out together.

Summary

As we look at the book of James, we’re reminded that we are going to face difficult trials in our lives. And when these trials come, temptation is sure to follow.

We have all been in difficult moments where all we want to do is get out of the pain and alleviate discomfort. This is where temptation enters in. This habit we want to kill has an allure to it and a promise of pleasure. It also has a push to it—a pain we want to alleviate.

When we’re stressed or frustrated, we can start looking at things to alleviate the discomfort of those feelings. How can we analyze the habits we have formed born from problems or stressors in our lives?

What's next?

We want to analyze the problems in our lives so that we can do good work moving forward. Knowing is half the battle.

What are the problems that push you to your bad habit?
Write out any stressors that tend to trigger this desire for relief.

Scripture References

31Jesus answered them,

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

47For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.