Two Births of James 1

I. Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for he will receive eternal life.

A. When we endure temptation, we are proven.

B. Similar to proving a weapon, a beast of burden, or a metal.

C. The item or animal is tested under extreme circumstances to see if it will be able to perform the task for which it is made. The item or animal will either pass the test and become useful, or fail the test and be discarded.

D. Ultimately, it is our love for the Lord that is proved.(last part of the verse)

E. Jesus taught that by our obedience we would prove our love to Him, John 14:19-24. I John 5:2-3 When we succumb to temptation, we are violating the commandments of Jesus (sinning) which does not lead to a crown of life. Our love for the Lord is shown to be true and solid when we are able to resist those things that entice us to satisfy our own lusts.

F. Our love for the Lord must overcome all other loves.

G. James 4:4 - Friendship with the world/enmity with God. Matthew 6:24 - God and mammon: Cannot love both. Matthew 6:21 - Where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Satan, therefore, will constantly be trying to pull us away from our love for Jesus by using our lusts to cause us to treasure earthly things.

H. Source of temptation

I. Some might say, since enduring temptation leads to a crown of life, then surely temptations come from God.

J. God is the one who is preserving us for salvation, John 10:28; 1 Peter 1:5. It is the devil who desires us to leave the safety of God’s love.

K. James affirms God is not the source of temptation.

L. Paul tells us that God makes a way of escape, 1 Cor. 10:13. It is the devil who is known as the tempter.

M. Growth of sin (read James 1:14-16)

N. “Each one” indicates that this is common to man (remember 1 Cor 10).

O. “Drawn away by his own desires” from God towards the devil.

P. Similar to that of a fisherman using lures to catch fish. Immorality: Prov 5:3-9; 6:23-26. Drunkeness: Prov. 23:29- 31-35 Eve: Saw the fruit…Achan: Joshua 7:21: Saw the spils, coveted, took and hid. The devil uses what will tempt us, what has a chance of taking us away from God. He knows us, do we know ourselves?

Q. We yield to our lust, we give birth to sin in our lives.

R. There will be many things that will entice us and draw us, but if we put them away and lean on the Lord, they will have no effect. When we follow our lust to whatever thoughts, activity, or attitude it creates, we sin. We have to love the Lord less to allow ourselves to think or do the very things that He condemns.

S. Sin leads to death.

T. Romans 6:23 - wages of sin is death. This is contrasted with the “crown of life.” If we endure temptation we get the crown of life, if we succumb, we have no crown of life, hence, death.1 John 3:7-8 When we are drawn by the devil, we are drawn to death.

U. Contrasting births:

V. God has brought us forth (given birth to us) by His own will through the word of truth.

W. We receive the word with meekness, James 1:21.

X. It gives birth to a holy life, James 1:22; a life that:

Y. Is not characterized by the wrath of man, 1:20, Puts away filthiness and abundance of wickedness, 1:21 Does not hold the faith of our Lord with partiality, 2:1, Shows true love to a neighbor, 2:8, Demonstrates perfected faith through works, 2:22 Bridles its tongue, 3:2, Draws near to God and submits to him, 4:7-8, Realizes that God is in control and makes his plans within the will of God, 4:15 And patiently waits on the coming of the Lord, 5:7

Z. The one who is drawn to the devil is contrasted in the above passages in his opposition to the pattern of godly living. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. All the Devil can give us is death.

A. Self-evaluation

B. The path to life is in 1:21-22.

C. We must not deceive ourselves.

D. We have to be doers of the word. We must examine ourselves in the law to see if we are doing what we are commanded to do.

E. Look in the mirror:

F. In the assembly: How did you treat the rich/poor? What does it say about your heart? With your faith: Is it a working faith? Did it say, “be warmed and filled” instead of helping? Look at your tongue in the mirror: Blessing/Cursing? Heart in the mirror: Wise and understanding or bitter, envy and self-seeking? Look at the church: Do you fight and war because you are seeking things that you do not have and are not asking God? When you ask God are you asking selfishly? Who is the friend that you see? God or the world? Spiritual adultery or faithfulness to the Lord? Where is God in the mirror? Are you near Him? Look at your hands: Are they cleansed? Look at your brother in the mirror: Are you speaking evil of him and judging him? Look at your own existence in the mirror: Do you see arrogance instead of a humble view of the future? Look at your possessions: Are you trusting or priding yourself in your moth-eaten garments and corroding silver and gold? (They didn’t appear that way before…) Are there things bought with deceit and cheating? Do you see patience in suffering? Do you see honesty (Yes and No) How does your prayer look: James 1:6-8 or 5:16?

G. We must also be diligent to help our brethren who may be deceiving themselves, James 5:19-20.

II. There is within us a spiritual life that is either born of the word or is born of lust. It will inherit a crown of life or everlasting destruction. It is up to us to receive that word, purify our hands and hearts and draw near to God that we may have that crown of life promised to those who love Him. We will have to prove that love to our Lord by enduring temptation and staying faithful to Him (similar to marriage). If we do sin, He is faithful to us and will forgive us of our sins if we repent. We must not deceive ourselves and think that we can be half-hearted and be pleasing to God. Our love must be a devoted, true love.