Stop Being Deceived: The Biblical Truth About Temptation & Sin

Our Broken Arrow Senior Pastor, Ethan Vanse, continues week three of our teaching series, Hearers & Doers: A Study in the Book of James. 

Pastor Ethan walks through James 1:12–18 to show how trials, tests, and temptations all press on us—but we still have agency in how we respond. James warns that desire → gives birth to sin → which grows up into death, so we can’t blame God, Satan, or others. Instead, we own our choices and turn to the God who gives “every good and perfect gift,” meets us in our mess, and leads us into freedom. The same Gospel that saved us is the same Gospel that sustains us: we confess, receive grace, and follow Jesus’ path out—often through honest repentance, community, and practical steps of obedience.

 In this message, Pastor Ethan explores the following Scriptures: 

James 1:12-18 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 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. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.