What Satan Doesn’t Want Us To Know About Temptation

Table of Contents

I have been listening to the sermons from Pastor J.D. Farag as he teaches through the book of James. There are a few that I felt the Lord wanted me to share here on my website. This teaching concerns four things that satan doesn’t want us to know about temptation.

Who Is J.D. Farag?

Pastor J.D. Farag was born in Beirut, Lebanon to an Egyptian father and Arab mother. He immigrated to America in 1963. In 1988, JD married his wife, Kellie, in Spokane, WA, and later moved to Hawaii where they started their first Bible Study in 2004. As a strong supporter of Israel, JD’s focus is on Bible Prophecy.

In addition to weekly Prophecy Updates, Pastor JD teaches through the bible Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings at his church Calvary Chapel Kaneohe located on the Windward Side of Oahu in Hawaii. I strongly recommend that you supplement your study time by listening to his teachings as I do.

Beware of the Deceiver

In my previous posts I have dealt with what I believe is the number one sign of the end of this age which is deception. This is the first sign Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24. Satan is the Deceiver, extraordinaire. He knows the Word of God better than we do. Therefore, if we neglect to read and study for ourselves, we will not have any clue that he is twisting the scriptures by using a little bit of truth to hook us before he reels us into his lair.

That is why I wanted to share this teaching with you from James 1:12-16.

^“12Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”
James 1:12-16

A Little Bit of Greek

I have found that it helps me to understand the scriptures better when I look at the greek behind the words being translated. Various translations do not always use the same word. I use the Blue Letter Bible for word and phrase searches when I want to look at the greek behind the translation. However, I use Bible Gateway more for reading and note-taking.

The word temptation in vs 12, is Strong’s Concordance #G3986 from the Greek πειρασμός / peirasmós, pronounced: pi-ras-mos’.
- Definition: a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:
Also in vs 12, the word approved is Strong’s #G1384 from the Greek δόκιμος / dókimos, pronounced dok’-ee-mos.
- Definition: accepted, pleasing, acceptable
In vs 13 the word tempted, is Strong’s #G3984 from the Greek πειράζω / peirázō, pronounced pi-rad’-zo.
- Definition: to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline, examine, go about, prove.
The phrase drawn-away in vs 14 is Strong’s #G1537 and G1670 from the Greek ἐξέλκω exélkō / exélkō pronounced ex-el’-ko.
- Definition: to drag forth, i.e. (figuratively) to entice (to sin):—draw away.
Desires in the same verse is Strong’s #G1939 from the Greek ἐπιθυμία / epithymía, pronounced ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah.
- Definition: desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
Lastly, the word deceived in vs 16 is Strong’s #G4106 from the Greek πλανάω / planáō pronounced plan-ah’-o.
- Definition: to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):—go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

Now that we have a better understanding of the Greek meaning behind the various translation, let’s look at the four things satan doesn’t want us to know about temptation.

The First Thing Satan Doesn’t Want Us To Know

Many Christians have been crushed under the weight of misunderstanding when it comes to the matter of temptation. However, let’s read verse 12 once more.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
– James 1:12

The first thing satan doesn’t want us to know:

We can persevere under temptation.
- There’s a blessing in store for those who endure temptation (aka test) and persevered.
- We will receive the crown of life.

However, according to Pastor J.D., the key to understanding is the word, ‘test’.

Why does it appear that we continue to go through the same trial over and over? Because we didn’t pass the test the first time, therefore, we have to retake the test. Why you may ask? Because eventually, you’re going to pass this test. You’re going to persevere under this temptation because the Word of God states you can.

“You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”. (Philippians 4:13)

Don’t let the enemy get away with convincing you that when he snaps his fingers, you have to give in. You can persevere under it.

The Second Thing Satan Doesn’t Want Us To Know

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
– James 1:13

2. God IS NOT the one that is tempting you!

If we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that we are all prone to thinking that the trial and the temptation come from God. However, this is another deception from the father of lies.

Have you asked the question “God, why are You doing this to me?” God gets blamed for a lot of things. However according to verse 13 above:

God cannot be tempted by evil
God does not tempt anyone

Yahweh Will Allow The Enemy To Tempt You

Therefore, if God is not tempting us then the next question asked is “why will God allow the devil to attack and tempt us?”

Although it’s not God doing it. God is allowing it, but He’s allowing it for a reason. We will become stronger if we overcome the temptation.

Remember the devil is a creation of God, and the devil can only do what God allows because, in the end, it’s going to be for God’s glory and our good. See the following:

Job (Job 1:8-12, 2:1-6)
Peter (Luke 22:31-32)
Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)

The Third Thing Satan Doesn’t Want Us To Know

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
– James 1:14

3. It is not a sin to be tempted.

It’s not a sin to be tempted. Moreover, the thought itself is not a sin. However, Satan wants you to think that it is.

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Moreover, Satan waited until the very end of the fast and struck at the optimum time when Jesus is literally starving to death. Satan is very patient. He will wait for your weakest moment to attack.

However, Jesus overcame not in His divinity, but in His humanity. in Luke’s gospel it’s recorded, “He was full of the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is the Key

It was in the power of the Holy Spirit that He was able to overcome the temptation. Likewise, as followers of Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling us and empowering us. Therefore, we can rest assured that if Jesus overcame the devil with the power of the Holy Spirit, so too can we overcome the temptation of the devil by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But Beware, Temptation is Enticing

Temptation always seems desirable and enticing. If it wasn’t it would not be tempting. Therefore, there would be no problem resisting. The enemy isn’t stupid. There is a reason we are told he masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians11:14).

The Fourth Thing Satan Doesn’t Want Us To Know

^“15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”
– James 1:15-16

4. Giving in to sin always has consequences.

The temptation to sin is always packaged with the deception that giving in to sin doesn’t have any consequences.

However, here is the truth as seen above. When desire has conceived, it will give birth to sin. Moreover, when sin is fully grown it gives birth to death in the end.

Remember the saying “How can something that feels so good be so wrong”? That’s the whole point. How else would you think the enemy would attack? How could Satan tempt us if it wasn’t packaged that way? If it didn’t look attractive?

Satanic Sin Formula

The seed of temptation + the fertilizing of willingness = conception

Conception + continued nourishment = will give birth to sin

Sin allowed to “grow up” leads to spiritual death, and possibly physical death.

The Remedy

So how do we stop conception? Do not let the sin, the temptation, and the deception of sin be met with the fertilization of your heart. When the thought enters your mind, and temptation comes you have a choice.

Take the thought captive at once or
Allow the thought to take root and grow.

This is spiritual warfare 101. The battleground is the mind. It’s not a sin to be tempted. It only becomes a sin when we give into it and are dragged away by it.

You cannot reason with sin. Likewise, you cannot reason with temptation. Flee from temptation. Resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7)

Guard your Heart and Mind. Beware of what you watch, read and listen to.

Be prepared ahead of time. Fill your mind with scriptures that speak to the temptation you have problems with.

The Lord desires you to pass the test. Doing so will make you stronger for whatever the enemy wants to clobber you with. But beware, sometimes he will also quietly attack when you least expect it.

The Fine Print

James also states in verse 16 do not be deceived. The implication is that you can be deceived into thinking “ what’s the big deal?”

Satan is so deceptive as he whispers into your ear, “Oh, it’s no big deal, you can always ask for forgiveness afterward.”

However, the consequences of sin linger infinitely longer than the temporal pleasure of sin. However, he does not want us to focus on it. You need to read the fine print. When the payment comes due it will be more than you bargained for. Usually, there is gigantic interest included.

However, we see again in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

Yes, there is forgiveness for those that repent, however, there are still the consequences of the sin. Sin leaves a scar in our lives. That is why God says, don’t do it.

Thou Shalt Not Because I Love You

Never imagine that God says, Thou shalt not because I’m God and I said so! No. It’s more like this: It’s thou shalt not because I love you so much. I’m trying to spare you from needless and unnecessary suffering from the consequences of sin.

One has rightly referred to the Ten Commandments as the tender commandments, from a tender loving, heavenly Father who loves us so much.

He says, “Don’t commit adultery.” It’ll scar you and ruin your life for the rest of your life and I want to spare you of that.

“Don’t commit murder” because you’ll be hunted and haunted for the rest of your life.

In Closing

Consider the following passage from 1 John.

“5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
– 1 John 1:5-2:1

If You Don’t Pass the Test …

Repent and confess your SIN. Do not call it anything else but what it is, SIN. Jesus did not come to pay for our issues. He came to pay for our SIN. Therefore, repent and confess SIN as SIN so that Jesus can forgive you and cleanse you. Moreover, the sooner you do, the better. Don’t wait.

Do not allow the enemy to riddle you with guilt and build an infrastructure of condemnation over your life. Satan wants to use that against you and separate you from the One who paid the penalty on your behalf. Because the longer he can keep you from the cross, the more he’s got you. We need not suffer or be crushed under the condemnation and guilt of that sin any longer than it takes us to get to the cross and confess it as sin.

When you love God, you’re going to be obedient to God.

Maranatha! Until next time, I am Passionately Loving Jesus, the Anchor of my Soul.