No More ExcusesJames 1:12-15

Genesis 3:12-13The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

No More Excuses

You will never overcome your sin until you own up

to your sin

No More Excuses

Don’t Blame God1:13

① God is untemptable

Don’t Blame God

Isaiah 6:3And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”

① God is untemptable

Don’t Blame God

1 John 1:5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

① God is untemptable② God does not tempt

test: a challenge designed to grow us and bring us honor

temptation: an enticement designed to ensnare us in sin

Don’t Blame God

Don’t Blame God

Genesis 22:1-2...God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

Don’t Blame God

Genesis 22:16-17...“By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens...”

① God is untemptable② God does not tempt

test: a challenge designed to grow us and bring us honor

temptation: an enticement designed to ensnare us in sin

Don’t Blame God

① God is untemptable② God does not tempt

Don’t Blame God

Psalm 145:9The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.

① God is untemptable② God does not tempt③ Temptation comes from...

SatanThe worldUs

Don’t Blame God

Accept Responsibility1:14-15

① We are tempted by lustany desire for what God has

prohibited“by his own lust” - comes from

within us!

Accept Responsibility

Romans 7:21-23I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

Accept Responsibility

① We are tempted by lust② We give in and sin is born③ Sin grows up and death is born

Accept Responsibility

Ezekiel 18:26-27When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life.

Accept Responsibility

Consequences of sin for a believer:can lead to death (1:15)brings shame at judgment seat (2:12-13)makes our lives worthless (2:14-26)creates conflict with others (3:13-4:3)brings God’s discipline (4:4)can lead to illness (5:15)

Accept Responsibility

ApplicationHow do we avoid sin and death?

① Don’t take the bait!Read Proverbs 7Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13

Application

Application

1 Corinthians 10:13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

① Don’t take the bait!Read Proverbs 7Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13Limit access to tempting circumstances

times, places, people, media, technologyDo things that help you escape

Word, prayer, sleep, exercise, balance

Application

① Don’t take the bait!② Get off the hook through

confession

Application

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

No More ExcusesJames 1:12-15