Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast Skip Heitzig

The Word of God is “full of living power,” wrote the author of Hebrews (4:12, TLB). It has the power to change a life completely and for eternity. James has been telling us that God gives good gifts and the first is the gift of salvation! But that is just the beginning. After birth comes growth, and the theme of this book is spiritual maturity. The primary agent for spiritual maturity is God’s Word. But unless we listen to it and allow it to work in us, it will never have its intended impact.

It’s one thing to be tested on the outside (trials); it’s another thing to be tested on the inside (temptation). God may allow temptations in order to strengthen our faith. But Satan desires to tempt us to weaken our faith. In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Screwtape Letters, a senior demon wrote to a trainee, saying, “All the habits of the [Christian], both mental and bodily, are still in our favor.” Today, we consider how temptation works and find workable solutions to overcome it.

I. The Source of Temptation (vv. 13-14)
II. The Course of Temptation (vv. 14-15)
III. Our Resource in Temptation (vv. 16-18)

Talk with God: Ask the Holy Spirit which areas of your faith need to be shored up and strengthened.
Talk with others: With your Connect Group, discuss some practical things you can implement in your daily life to avoid common temptations.
Talk with kids: Who is the Holy Spirit?

An old English children’s game followed the poem “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief.” In the game, kids would try to determine what they would become later in life. Whether we become rich or poor, one thing is common to all—hardship. Trials are the great equalizer, bringing all of God’s children to depend on Him. James, with barefaced practicality, looked at the advantages of suffering for both the poor man and the rich man.

I. Our World Is Divided (vv. 9-12)
II. Our Outlook Is Delightful (vv. 9-10)
III. Our Materialism Is Doomed (vv. 10-11)
IV. Our Future Is Dependent (v. 12)

Talk with God: Reflect on your typical reaction to trials. Ask the Lord to change your perspective so depending on Him becomes your instinctual reaction.
Talk with others: Ask an unbelieving friend or family member how you can help them through a tough situation in their life.
Talk with kids: How do we make disciples? Why is it important to make disciples?