Trials & Temptation

Last week, the entire football program took a road trip to Encino to meet up with Crespi Carmelite.  Needless to say, the outcome wasn't pretty.  All three teams were saddled with a loss that day.

Before the varsity game started, I asked some of the players if they were ready for the game and they said they were a little worried.  I told them not to be worried but to trust in the abilities God gave them and be sure.

Fast forward to next week...

Before the Bible study, I knew that one of the topics was going to be worry.  I received a phone call and a suggestion that we spend the next 5+ weeks going through the book of James.

Last year, a pastor friend of mine gave me a box of new testaments.  I had planned on giving them out to the players, but then received FCA Bibles instead, so they have just been sitting in the trunk of my car.  Now I had a purpose for them.

Right off the bat in James 1:2 it says "Count it as joy, my brothers, when you meet trials..."  You will meet trials.

Guaranteed.  I told them they could have trials dealing with school work, homework, family, anything.

I could see they were listening, because the room was silent and they were all looking at me kinda stunned.

I continued..."testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:3-4

Football is an excellent example.  You practice all week long, lifting weights, getting stronger, putting on pads, hitting each other, tackling, until the game arrives.  Then during the game, you do the same thing, only with more intensity.  After its over, and your physically and emotionally exhausted, you are better because now you can learn from your mistakes.  They endure the pain of practice and games to be better more complete players.

Next, in James, he tells you how to "survive" the trials...

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God...But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.." James 1:5 & 6.

We have to pray for wisdom to help overcome the trials.  If our heart and mind are divided, the trials will tear us apart.  The cure for this is a whole-hearted commitment to God.  I told them true wealth is found in a persons spiritual life.

Lastly...temptation

I said it is very important to understand the difference between a trial and being tempted.  God tests you with trials to strengthen you not tempt you with sin to destroy you.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one" James 1:13

There is no sin in God.  Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."

I told them it was a choice.  They have the choice to follow Jesus, the choice to sin or not sin, the choice to worry or put their hope in Jesus.  I explained in closing about how if they fully relied on God, the amount of worry would be minimized.  For the simple fact, they wouldn't have time to worry because they were focusing on Jesus.