James, Session 3: Trials, Temptations and an Eternal Perspective

Read the passage: James 1:12-18 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Read James 1:12-18

Considering v12, biblically, what does it mean to be blessed?
- What are the alternatives to remaining steadfast under trial?
- The word ‘test’ in v12 is the same as tempted/tempts in v13. How might times of trial result in times of temptation?
- What temptations might be specific to times of trial and difficulty?
- Given this, why is remaining steadfast under trial synonymous with loving God?
What is ‘the crown of life’?
- Why might we struggle to let our future reward influence the way we see and handle suffering now?
Look at v13: what’s the implication of ‘when he is tempted’?
- Why might someone think God is tempting them?
  - What might be the consequences of thinking like this?
Why is the fact that God cannot be tempted, and tempts no one, both reassuring and sobering?
Considering v14, what does James teach us about the root of our temptations?
- What’s a ‘lure’? – what does it mean to be lured?
- How would you describe the relationship between internal and external influences in temptation?
- How can understanding the way temptation works help direct our fight against sin?
  - How can we change our desires?
Look at v15. In what ways does sin bring forth death?
Considering v16-17, while temptation does not come from God, what does?
- In what ways might we be deceived (v16) about the origin of good gifts in our lives?
- How might being deceived on this affect the way we see good things and respond to them?
  - How does knowing where they come from help us rightly enjoy good things?
What encouragement is there in knowing God does not change like the shifting shadows?
Look at v18: If temptation and sin bring forth death, what does God’s work bring forth?
- How does he do it?
  - Look at Ephesians 1:13. What does this have in common with what James writes?
    - What is the word of truth?
  - Look at John 1:13. Do we become Christians because we decide, or God decides?
- What does it mean to be ‘a kind of firstfruits of his creatures’?

Recap & Reflect

In what areas do you currently face temptation? How does what James teaches in today’s passage both challenge and encourage you?

Take time to meditate on verses 12 and 17. Reflect on God’s promises and let that grow your eternal perspective towards your trials and sufferings in the present moment.

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or a helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

Considering v12, biblically, what does it mean to be blessed?
The word blessed can also mean happy. So, biblically, we might say to be blessed is to find one’s contentment and joy in God. In addition, in the Old Testament, blessing comes with living in covenant relationship with God (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and having a life profoundly shaped by God’s word (Ps 1). So, to be blessed is to reap all the fruit of knowing and loving God, not least of which are a stability, rootedness and fruitfulness in all of life’s seasons.
- What temptations might be specific to times of trial and difficulty?
  Different people will experience different temptations in times of trial, but they may include anger at God (or others); doubting the goodness of God; self-pity; self-condemnation (because they blame themselves for their troubles); resignation among others.
- Given this, why is remaining steadfast under trial synonymous with loving God?
  To remain steadfast says that we love God more than sin
What is ‘the crown of life’?
It is the future, eternal reward for believers who have been faithful; it is the commendation of Christ: ‘well done, good and faithful servant!’
Look at v13: what’s the implication of ‘when he is tempted’?
Temptation is common to all. It’s not if, but when. It is a normal, to be expected part of the Christian life.
- Why might someone think God is tempting them?
  For example, someone might say things like: ‘God put me in this situation, it’s his fault I’m facing this’ Or, ‘God made me like this, with these desires. The fact I’m being tempted is his fault, not mine.’
  - What might be the consequences of thinking like this?
    Someone who thinks like this may be more prepared to give in to temptation. They may also think unworthy thoughts of God and be angry at him, thinking him to be two-faced: telling them not to give in to temptation while at the same time tempting them.
Why is the fact that God cannot be tempted, and tempts no one, both reassuring and sobering?
He can never be tempted to turn against us and so will never turn against us; however, there is also never an excuse for giving into temptation – it’s never something God wants
Considering v14, what does James teach us about the root of our temptations?
We are tempted, and then sin, because we have wrong desires within. The desires are ours. That is the root of our temptation.
- What’s a ‘lure’? – what does it mean to be lured?
  A lure is like a bait. It pretends to be good when in fact it is leading you into a trap. Fly-fishermen use lures that look like flies/insects to tempt the fish to bite the hook.
- How would you describe the relationship between internal and external influences in temptation?
  External influences work on our desires – they entice us by appealing to our desires. We face an enemy with us just as much as an enemy outside us.
- How can understanding the way temptation works help direct our fight against sin?
  - How can we change our desires?
    You might also consider that it is not always our desires that need to change but how we seek to fulfil them. The desire may be good: to be loved, secure, have deep relationships. But how we seek to fulfil them may not be.
Look at v15. In what ways does sin bring forth death?
The first sin brought physical death into the world and, ultimately, sin leads to eternal death. However, sin also brings forth death in our lives before we die. It kills our virtues and characters; it destroys peace and hope and joy etc
Considering v16-17, while temptation does not come from God, what does?
- In what ways might we be deceived (v16) about the origin of good gifts in our lives?
  We might credit ourselves, or others, with their origin, or think we deserve them or have earned them.
- How might being deceived on this affect the way we see good things and respond to them?
  We may misuse good things – forgetting they have a good purpose derived from the good God who gives them; we will not cultivate gratitude and thankfulness; we will think they are ‘ours’ and hold on to them too tightly, not sharing/giving up when we should; we may mistake them for god-things as opposed to good things and come to love them, or trust in them, too much.

Look at v18: If temptation and sin bring forth death, what does God’s work bring forth?
New life/new birth
- How does he do it?
  His will and word
  - Look at Ephesians 1:13. What does this have in common with what James writes?
    - What is the word of truth?
      The word of truth is the gospel.
  - Look at John 1:13. Do we become Christians because we decide, or God decides?
    We are born again by God’s will. God chooses us and calls us and gives us the faith to believe and regenerates our hearts. However, our response to that work, our ‘decision’ is a genuine, free decision. We are not coerced.
- What does it mean to be ‘a kind of firstfruits of his creatures’?
  The first fruits is the first batch of the harvest. It’s a sign that the rest of the harvest is on its way

Download the complete study: Bible study on James (PDF)