Bob Josey - Thriving in Jesus  - Lesson 4B- Routine Maintenance- Oct 17, 2021

        Thriving in Jesus

     4B – Routine Maintenance 

    The Sin Process

Introduction

Today we are going to focus on the issue of sin in the life of a believer in Jesus. There are many illustrations that could be used to describe sin in the life of a believer. One illustration is that sin in like leprosy. Today leprosy is called Hansons’s Disease. It has been around since Bible times and still affects thousands of people. Leprosy is very contagious and destroys the skin. Social distancing did not begin three years ago.  Anyone under the Mosiac Law a person with leprosy was to social distance from everyone – parents, family, friends, etc. Also, the one who contracted leprosy in the Bible was also considered ritually unclean. They were forbidden to go to the Temple to worship.  A person could also become unclean by touching a dead body or a carcass, a woman having her monthly period, other bodily discharges, etc. 

What causes leprosy is a specific bacterium that attacks nerve endings and destroys the body’s ability to feel pain and injury. Without feeling pain, people injure themselves and the injuries can become infected, resulting in tissue loss. Fingers and toes become shortened and deformed as the cartilage is absorbed into the body. Repeated injury and infection of numb areas in the fingers or toes can cause the bones to shorten. The tissues around them shrink, making them short. Today there is a cure for Leprosy with antibiotics.

Sin is like leprosy in so many ways. It is contagious because we know how powerful peer pressure can be for a Christian wheather a teenager or an adult. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:33 wrote about this. “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.” 

Sin can be like leprosy in that it can cause mental and physical problems, can separate families, cause much pain and suffering to the individual and family members, can be debilitating, and can rot the mind and the soul spiritually. There was no cure in Bible times for leprosy like there is today. In biblical day the only cure of leprosy was a miracle. In 2 Kings 5 Naaman was healed miraculously by washing in the Jordan seven times. In Luke 5:12-13 we find another miracle concerning Leprosy, “While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.” 

In Bible times, as well as today, there was and is no human cure for sin. It begins by the sin nature being passed down from parents to children beginning with Adam and Eve. As in Bible times, the only cure for forgiveness of sin was a miracle when God allowed Israel to bring animal sacrifices to Him. Leviticus 17:11 says. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”

The only cure today also includes a miracle for a sinner to be forgiven is by trusting in Jesus as Savior. Hebrews 9:22 says. “… without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  After trusting Jesus as Savior, believers are in for a life long struggle with sin because internally we have the old sin nature and externally, we have attacks from Satan and the demons. 

Let’s now discuss from James the process of sin that he laid out in chapter 1. When a believer understands how the sin cycle works or the process behind it, it should help to deal with sin more affectively.    

The four steps in the process of sin (James 1:13-15)

As we work through these four steps, think about some situation in your life when this process played out as described in James. To illustrate this process, we are going to use David’s affair with Bathsheba. Let’s read verse 13 as an introduction to the four steps.   

James 1:13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

Each person here is tempted in some area of their lives each and every day. Temptation is always present. James did not say “if” one is tempted but “when” one is tempted. There may be a vaccine for Covid 19 and the flu, but there is not vaccine for temptation. Just like a firefighter cannot know exactly the nature of the next call, a believer cannot know exactly what the kind of temptation will hit them next. So, the best thing we can do is be keenly aware that it’s coming and know the steps in the process. Temptation is a consistent process. 

God neither created sin nor does He create temptations for believers. He does not whisper evil thoughts into our minds like Satan and the demons do to create and alluring image that may lead to sin. Whatever the circumstance, never blame God for tempting you. God is neither tempted and He never has nor will He ever temp someone to sin. He may put some believer in a difficult situation like when He commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but that was a trial not a temptation.  He will not tempt you to do evil but He may send you through a trial to teach you spiritual lessons and to strengthen and mature you in Christ. In verse 14 we find the first step that can lead to sin. 

Step 1 – Believers are tempted externally to sin! (14a)

James 1:14a - But each one is tempted when he is carried away… 

James in verse 14 begins by using the word “but” shows a contrast with verse 13 concerning God not tempting believers. Verse 14 implies that are two ways a believer is tempted. One is by an external source. People who hunt different kinds of birds such as doves or ducks know that different crops that appeal to these birds are planted in the summer to lure birds during hunting season. These crops entice the birds to get close to the crops planted. Those who fish know that natural bait such as worms or crickets are used to lure fish to the hook. Manmade lures are also used to entice fish to the hook. 

Satan and the demons are always on the lookout to lure or tempt us to sin. The verb carried away means to lead away or lure away. In verses like this, Satan is used as the head of his evil kingdom. Remember that Satan is not omnipresent like God is, so he has to use his demons to lure away, temp, or entice believers to sin. 1 Peter 5:8 is clear, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour…” Again, since Satan is not omnipresent, he can only tempt one person at time so the demons are also on the hunt for believes to tempt. Peter used a lion as an illustration because we know that a lion will devour his prey when he catches them. Devour means to overwhelm and consume. Satan and the demons will use every chance they get to tempt you to sin so they can spiritually overwhelm and consume you. How many pastors, Christians leaders, Christians in the limelight, and ordinary Christians have they lured in and destroyed? 

Now let’s use David’s affair with Bathsheba to illustrate the four-step process to sin and death. 2 Samuel 11:1-2 says, “Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.  2 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.”

One evening David was on is balcony looking down into the Kidron Valley or Valley of Jehoshaphat and on the slope of the valley were houses. He should have been leading his army into battle, but he decided not to go. David should not have been at home in his palace. If he had been on the battlefield, he would not have put himself to be tempted. One lesson to remember is that we should be where we are supposed to be not where we should not be, either physically or mentally. This may provide added opportunity to be tempted. An alcoholic should never hang out with his friends at a pub.

David’s external temptation was Bathsheba bathing on her roof. He was lured away from being on the battlefield. It does not say, but it could be that Satan planted in David’s mind not to go to battle as he should have. So, that evening the external temptation that was orchestrated by Satan was Bathsheba bathing on her roof. 

Can you think of a time when you were lured away by an external temptation? Were you in a place physically or mentally where you should not have been? 

Step 2 – Believers are enticed by their own evil desires to sin. (14b)

James 1:14b - …and enticed by his own lust. 

The second source of temptation is internal. It’s the other side of a two headed coin. External temptation is one side of the coin internal temptation is the other side. The internal source of temptation is our own lusts. This word does not always mean craving that are bad. There can be good cravings such as for a good steak. But in this context, it means an evil craving for something that one should not have. It stems from our own evil lusts and desires. When it comes to believers craving something we should not have, we can only blame ourselves. You cannot blame God, Satan, or the demons. They know each of our spiritually weak spots and that is precisely where they will tempt you. The responsibility of being drawn away from a place of safety is our own because of our wicked hearts. All Satan’s and the demon’s efforts to lead people into evil, and all of the world’s seductions, would have no effect on a person at all unless he is enticed by his own evil desires. This comes from our old sin nature. In the final analysis James is right. There is no temptation for us except when we respond to some seduction in an inward way and find evil in some way desirable. To sum up verse 14, we find an alluring evil in some way desirable. There is trouble ahead when we are offered an alluring outward bait plus our inward desire. When these two are combined that yields to the giving in to the temptation, the result is disaster, described in 1:15. 

Can you think of a situation in your life when you were tempted not only by an external source but also by an evil craving? 

Externally David was tempted by seeing Bathsheba nude. Then when this was coupled with his relentless sexual lust or urges it led David to cross the line into step 3. What happened when he crossed the line? We find that in step 3.

Step 3 –The result of external temptation and internal lust is sin.  

James 1:15a - Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; 

In the first part of verse 15, James describes the process found in verse 14 as a conception. Conception occurs when external temptation and internal lust are combined. External temptation and internal lust combined which James called   conception leads to the birth of sin. Here he uses the language of the process of childbearing as if it were a woman. A woman’s desire leads to conception and conception leads to birth. The birth, however, in this case is not a child but sin.

External Temptation + Internal Lust = Sin

David’s external temptation of seeing Bathsheba nude coupled with his relentless sexual urges is a conception that brought forth the sin of adultery. 

James 1:15b and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Step 4 –Sin results in physical death

The word accomplished means to bring an activity to an end or to a completion. When the two necessary ingredients are joined together—external temptation and internal lust—then temptation is conceived. A cycle is set in motion that, if allowed to run its course, results in a sinful act. As the sin is repeated and become fully grown or mature, the result is death. This is not spiritual death but physical death. He is writing to believers not unbelievers. He is warning believers of the consequences of repeated sin may be the premature death of themselves and/or maybe others. The truth that physical death is the ultimate end of sinful conduct is stated repeatedly in the Book of Proverbs. 

The result of adultery was that sin continued in a coverup and the death of Uriah. The LORD did not require David’s death as part of the consequences of the affair, but He did require the death of David and Bathsheba’s son. Not only that, but David saw much death and misery playout in His family the rest of his life.  

What could David had done to stop the conception and birth of sin of adultery. 

1. He could have prayed on the spot for the LORD to give him the strength to repel the temptation. 

2. He could have just turned around at the first glance of Bathsheba and gone inside. Instead, he lingered and watched.

3. Since he was king, he should have told Bathsheba not bath on her roof and to go inside. Instead, he lingered, watched, was tempted externally and then his internal lust kicked in.

The good news is that any temptation can be resisted. A person can resist the desire, turn away from the bait, and cancel the process. After Peter wrote that Satan is always trying to destroy us in 1 Peter 5:8, he wrote this in 5:9, “But resist him, firm in your faith…” also James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 

Several months ago, we studied the spiritual armor from God. Part of that armor is the shield of faith found in Ephesians 6:16, “… in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” An arrow can mortally wound someone.  Our God given shield to stop Satans continued barrage of spiritual arrows called temptations that can eventually kill us is faith. Paul in Romans 1:17 quotes Habakkuk 2:4 he wrote, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (one faith event to another); as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.’”

We are not only saved by faith but we are to live our lives as believers only by faith, Faith means trust. In the case of temptations, we are to continually trust in promises of God’s protection. Paul wrote this profound statement in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No 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.”

How do we shut down the process today?  

1. Ask the LORD to give you a way out and the strength to overcome the temptation. God promised in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians that He would. Believe the promises of God and move on. 

2. Just walk away from the temptation in a state of prayer.

3. Call someone and tell them you are being tempted and ask them to pray for you right then. 

The four step Process of sin and death

1.  External temptation

     2.  Internal Lust (Conception Occurs)

     3.  The Birth of Sin

     4.  Physical Death  

The Consequences of Sin

• Sin will take you father than you want to go!

• Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay!

• Sin will cost you more that you want to pay!