James 1:1–4; 12–18 (NIV84, emphasis added): “1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... . 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

1. Testing comes from the outside.

a. Understand the reality of testing.

• Christians DO get tested.
• God DOES allow testing.
  • Proverbs 17:3 (NIV84): “3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”
• God DOES test.
  • Examples: Abraham, Job, David

b. Understand the purpose of testing.

• The purpose of testing is to see the stability of your faith.

c. Understand the response of testing.

• Romans 5:3–5 (NIV84, emphasis added): “3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
• 1 Peter 1:6–7(NIV84, emphasis added): “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

2. Tempting comes from the inside.

a. Understand the reality of temptation.

• We ALL are tempted.
• Temptation is the desire to do something against the character and will of God.
• Temptation is the test of our OBEDIENCE.

b. Understand the source of temptation.

• God DOES NOT tempt.
• We are drawn away by our OWN lust.

c. Understand the progression of temptation.

• Sinful desires
• Implanted thoughts
• Sin happens.
• Death is the result.

3. Every good and perfect gift comes from above.