James 1 - Sin - Temptation - The Devil

[Purity]

My next study / presentation will be on the controversial subject on Sin, Temptation and devil.

I will initially be basing our thoughts on James 1, which I believe provides certain keys verses to the subject. As usual feel free to join in along the way all contribution is welcomed. I only ask when replying that you try to provide the context to the Scripture you are using so we can find a common ground for discussion.

Its commonly understood from James 1:12-18 and many other passages that temptation and sin come from within Man. The context of James 1 is rather simple. James understands it is only the Word of God which can change us into New Creatures - through faith and Baptism we can become Children of God HOWEVER its our warfare against sin which is through Gods Word working in us which is the essential lesson being taught.

This is an important foundation principle one which Jesus was adamant in teaching his disciples in Mark 7:15-20

The source of Temptation is widely taught as being the nature we share: Key verse 1 John 2:16. Lust of the flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life - that is "ALL: that is in the world

James 1:13-18

12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.

15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Colour code: Blue (God); Red (sin/devil/judgment of wicked); Green (Kingdom); Orange (important words and phrases) Pink (practical exhortation).

Our first observation reading this section of Scripture is there is no mention of a supernatural devil.

Why is this so?

Well temptation comes from our own lusts within us. If there really was a supernatural devil, then surely this would have been the Scripture to say so. Even though some temptations come from without, ultimately the temptation is within man.

TBC

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

We are all born sinners and have a sinful nature

The Christian is different ... he has the Holy Spirit inside which battles the sinful nature with varying degrees of success

It is a lifelong endeavor that never attains perfection ... we do the best we can day by day as Spirit overcomes sin .... and everyone is different .... there is no master list for us to follow

The whole essence of christianity is life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:13-26 sums it up nicely

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

 

[Purity]

Galatians 5:13-26 sums it up nicely

Thanks Arnie I will need to add Galatians 5 to my list of quotes - great section of Scripture.

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How sin entered into the world:

Rom 5:12 "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Eve was deceived by the serpent: 1 Tim 2:14.
She then enticed Adam to eat.
Adam then deliberately took the fruit.
They then fell from their "very good" state, suffering the consequences of sin - shame, a defiled conscience: Gen 2:25; 3:7,19.
As a result, the whole human race has a nature prone to sin: Jer 17:9-10.

I will be expanding on these thoughts for a little while.

You will also notice no mention of a supernatural being in any of these high context passages...this should also be of some concern; though we shall eventually see how the devil and satan present in the bigger picture.

Notes:
"Sin" literally means "to miss the mark". That mark is God’s glory: Rom 3:23 "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"
1 John 3:4 "sin is the transgression of the law".

 

[williemac]

Thanks Arnie I will need to add Galatians 5 to my list of quotes - great section of Scripture.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How sin entered into the world:

Rom 5:12 "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Eve was deceived by the serpent: 1 Tim 2:14.
She then enticed Adam to eat.
Adam then deliberately took the fruit.
They then fell from their "very good" state, suffering the consequences of sin - shame, a defiled conscience: Gen 2:25; 3:7,19.
As a result, the whole human race has a nature prone to sin: Jer 17:9-10.

I will be expanding on these thoughts for a little while.

You will also notice no mention of a supernatural being in any of these high context passages...this should also be of some concern; though we shall eventually see how the devil and satan present in the bigger picture.

Notes:
"Sin" literally means "to miss the mark". That mark is God’s glory: Rom 3:23 "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"
1 John 3:4 "sin is the transgression of the law".

The serpent was talking to Eve. If this was not a supernatural event, then I don't know what is.
The original offense was that of Lucifer, who forsook his God given role and determined to elevate himself to the status of God. If you will notice, the temptation against Eve included the carrot that she would be like God if she ate of the tree. This is the root of sin. Self exaltation. Sin is merely a symptom of a deeper problem. After they sinned, they were removed from access to the tree of life. They were denied access to God's righteousness.

It happens that both life and righteousness are things only God can produce, so we (mankind) were reduced to a state of being where if we want either or both of these things, we must humbly accept them from God without merit. Sin is nothing more than the attempt to provide a measure of life for oneself, in one form or another. While the devil may not need to involve himself supernaturally in tempting us to sin, he does still use his most effective tool. He is a liar.

The bible says that the strength of sin is the law. This is a counter intuitive truth. We are trained in our culture and society that the law keeps people in line. However, law is broken regularly. I rest the bible's case.
The message that one receives in his heart when under law is that he is a sinner who needs the enforcement of law to motivate him to behave. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Our self image is directly influenced either by the law, or by grace. And as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

So the devil wants us under the law. It is like winding up a toy and then letting it go. There are those who assume the so called hyper grace message is a license to sin. But in reality, it is the strength and motive to walk in righteousness when properly understood with the reality of our new nature in Christ, and more relevantly, to walk in love, having experienced love in mammoth proportions from God. We love Him because He first loved us. Where do some people get the idea that we love Him because He is threatening us to do so? That is so old-cov..

 

[Purity]

The serpent was talking to Eve. If this was not a supernatural event, then I don't know what is.

Don't infer willie - prove to us it was a fiery satanic force.

Here's what I will do for you willie - I will prove to you from Scripture the serpent was an animal - a cunning one, yes, but just an animal.

So lets consider the facts - I love facts - I don't love man made notions they annoy me no end.

Now the serpent.... "Was more subtil than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made" Gen 3:1

Fact 1. The Serpent was a beast
Fact 2. Its was more cunning than any other animal
Fact 3. Yahweh made the serpent

If you are able to from this verse expound a supernatural being with horns and pitchfork you are doing wonderfully.

Now the serpent.... "Was more subtil than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made" Gen 3:1

Fact 1. The Serpent was a beast
Fact 2. Its was more cunning than any other animal
Fact 3. Yahweh made the serpent

If you are able to from this verse expound a supernatural being with horns and pitchfork you are doing wonderfully.

A number of objections need to be overcome if you wish to force the supernatural on this verse.

1. Prove to me the serpent wasn't an animal - Paul thought so!
2. It was nothing more than an animal which could speak its carnal thoughts
3. That the God did not create this creature for a specific purpose

Purity

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Study cont...

Nature of Man:

Mortal: Subject to death: Gen 3:19. When Adam and Eve sinned, all their descendents possessed this dying nature and bias toward a defile conscience: Rom 5:12.
Immortal: To live for ever, to have eternal life. Our nature will be changed to immortality and incorruptibility when Christ comes: Rev 2:7; 1 Cor 15:53.

 

[DPMartin]

Sorry I’m not basing my thought on what you are basing your thoughts on. That’s assumption on your part to think that I should or any one else should base their thoughts on what you do.

Also, didn’t the serpent tell the woman lies, and she agreed to believe those lies, isn’t that correct? And who did Jesus say is the father of lies?

It seem that maybe you see a potential for a controversy in this but it’s no mystery, even none believers agree that human nature leads to death and destruction. And any believer knows that it is God’s nature to lead us to everlasting Life. What’s your point that is worthy of focus? That human nature is flawed?

All living creatures are locked into the seeking of opportunity for the fulfillment of what is in their hearts. Even if it’s basic survival, eating, and procreating. Therefore men cannot stop seeking the fulfillment of what is in their hearts unless it is replaced with something else, like what is in the Lord God’s heart. Hence the Lord God has written His law and Commandments in the hearts of those who love Him, and now seek the fulfillment of the same. Remember, it is Jesus who came to fulfill the law and the prophets to the Father’s satisfaction. Hence proof that it is God will and or desire that such be fulfilled in the flesh, the Son of man.

 

[Purity]

Sorry I’m not basing my thought on what you are basing your thoughts on. That’s assumption on your part to think that I should or any one else should base their thoughts on what you do.

Your later post was very well put together and this prompts me to ask the question how you are able to understand the weakness of the flesh but fail to understand how God has plainly taught you concerning the serpent.

Now the serpent.... "Was more subtil than any beast of the field which Yahweh Elohim had made" Gen 3:1

Fact 1. The Serpent was a beast

Fact 2. Its was more cunning than any other animal

Fact 3. Yahweh made the serpent

These three facts are correct according to the Word and yet you say you do not base your thoughts on Gods thoughts?

How so?

 

[Purity]

What is the Real Source of temptation?

Mark 7:21-23 Jesus says, “from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts (etc.)… All these things come from within, and defile the man.”

Sin began in the Garden of Eden:

Gen 3:6 Eve acted on the temptation.
Gen 3:12-13 They both blamed someone else.
Gen 3:15 Jesus Christ was the solution. He was the one who God would provide. Jesus overcame sin on our behalf.

How did Jesus Christ conquer the devil?

Heb 9:26 “(he) put away sin by the sacrifice of himself”

He put aside selfish ambition and gave his life for others.

Rom 5:19-21 By Adam’s disobedience many were made sinners.

By Christ’s obedience many are made righteous.

1 John 3:8 Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

Isa 59:16; Psa 80:17 Jesus had God as his Father.

This enabled him to be sinless.

Our struggle against Sin:

Rom 7:18 “in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing”

Rom 7:18-25 describes the struggle in Paul’s mind

We must face the reality of our present human nature.

We must not let sin take control of our lives.

At present these are rough notes which can be opened up for discussion.

 

[Purity]

Bible teaching about the Devil:

1. The devil has the power of Death: Heb 2:14

- “SIN bringeth forth death”: James 1:15
- “The sting of death is SIN”: 1 Cor 15:56
- “SIN hath reigned unto death”: Rom 5:21
- “The wages of SIN is death”: Rom 6:23

2. The devil sinneth from the beginning: 1 John 3:8

- “By one MAN sin entered into the world”: Rom 5:12

3. Devil was a murderer from the beginning: John 8:44

- “By MAN came death”: 1 Cor 15:21
- “For SIN... deceived me, and slew me”: Rom 7:11

4. Jesus was tempted of the devil: Luke 4:2

- He “was in all points tempted like as we are”: Heb 4:15

- “But every MAN is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed...”: James 1:14

What is the real Bible Devil?

It is ourselves, our own ungodly desires that produce sin. That is why Jesus came in our own mortal nature, to fight the enemy on its home territory, and to defeat it.