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Scripture Reading: James 4:1-10

The Seeds of Sin

-Part 1-

Intro.

1. Every person struggles with sin and its temptations, 1 Jno. 1:8, 10; Rom. 3:9, 12, 23.

2. It is the Christian’s objective not to let sin dominate (rule) his life, Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14; 1 Jno. 2:1.

3. Mankind and sin: Jas. 1:12-16 --

a. The source and challenge, 1:13-14.

b. The battle, 1:12, 14.

c. The cost, 1:15.

d. The warning, 1:16.

e. The victory, 1:12.

4. The seeds, effects and remedy of sin, Jas. 4:1-10.

I. THE SEEDS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-6 (Matt. 15:18-20).

A. Selfish Lust, Jas. 4:1-3 (1:14-15).

1. Pleasures: “the desire to get what one does not have and greatly desires” (Robertson, Word Pictures, VI:49).

a. Idea of pleasing oneself, cf. Lk. 8:14; Tit. 3:3.

1) Lusts of men in opposition to will of God, 1 Pet. 4:1-2.

2) Flesh/eyes/pride: The objects of men’s lusts, 1 Jno. 2:16.

b. Often try to satisfy lusts through violent means (cf. domestic abuse, hostilities, terrorism, murder, wars, etc.), Jas. 4:2.

2. Selfishness, 4:3; Wrong motives (Phil. 2:3-4). Rather than deny ourselves, self is indulged, Lk. 9:23.

B. Worldliness, Jas. 4:4 (Mk. 4:19; 1 Jno. 2:15-17).

1. Active faith: Friend of God (enemy of world), Jas. 2:22-23.

2. Faithlessness: Friend of the world (enemy of God), Jas. 4:4.

3. Cannot have two Masters, Matt. 6:24; Eph. 5:7-11.We choose our Master!

C. Envy, Jas. 4:5.

1. “Feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others…envy desires to deprive another of what he has.” (Vine, II:37)

2. “Is it to envying that the Spirit … longs?” (Pulpit Comm.)

3. Envy is the engine and companion of strife, Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3.

D. Pride, Jas. 4:6 (resist the devil, 1 Pet. 5:8-9).

1. Over-estimation of self, Gal. 6:3.

2. Associated with love of self, 2 Tim. 3:2.

3. Cf. connection with temptation and self (Jas. 1:14).

-Part 2-

II. THE EFFECTS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-4.

A. Conflict (Wars, fightings), Jas. 4:1.

1. With man (4:1-2); cf. Gal. 5:13-15, 25-26. War, murder, covetous act can be traced back to the pursuit of selfish pleasures.

2. Within self (4:1, 3); cf. 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 7:22-24.

a. James addresses nominal Christians (name only) who have not put sin to death in their lives (Col. 3:5). This person lives for his own “pleasures” (sensuality) rather than the will of God.

b. Sin wars against the soul, 1 Pet. 2:11.

c. We give sin the victory when we yield to its powers, Rom. 7:22-24. Christ is the answer the conflict sin produces.

3. With God (4:4); cf. Col. 1:21; Rom. 8:7.

a. Sin adulterates our marriage to Christ, Rom. 7:4.

b. To be in conflict with God is to fight a losing battle (Acts 5:39; Prov. 21:30-31).

c. God, the source of every blessing (Jas. 1:17), is alienated by our sins (cf. Jas. 4:6).

d. We cannot hope for His blessings and approval as we sin.

B. Our Responsibility is to Stop Sinning, Col. 3:5-10 (Rom. 6:2).

III. HOW TO AVOID SIN (Remedy), Jas. 4:7-10.

A. Flee Temptation before it Conceives, 1 Cor. 10:13 (2 Tim. 2:22).

B. Be Humble before God (and men).

1. Submit to God, 4:7 (resist devil).

-Refuse selfish lust: Exercise lust control (Rom. 13:13-14) through self-denial, Gal. 2:20.

2. Draw near to God, 4:8.

-Worldliness: Turn away from it and to the world above, Col. 3:1-4.

3. Cleanse hands and purify hearts, 4:8.

-Envy: Regard others better than yourself, Phil. 2:3-4.

4. Godly sorrow, 4:9 (Matt. 5:4).

-Pride: Think soberly, Rom. 12:3.

C. Trust God to Exalt You, Jas. 4:10 (1 Jno. 5:4).

-Not yourself, your possessions, your achievements, etc.

Conclusion

1. In our struggle with sin we must not plant the seeds that will grow and bear the fruit of sin; Avoid temptations.

2. When we sin: Confess it and return to God (1 Jno. 1:9; 2:1-2).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 2, 2013