WICKED
Defeating
The
Dark
Side
James
1:13‐15
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.
(NIV)
You
must
understand
how
temptation
works
The
Process
Of
Sin
1.
Stage
one:
The
desire
stage
James
1:14
but
each
one
is
tempted
when,
by
his
own
evil
desire,
he
is
dragged
away
and
enticed.
(NIV)
2.
Stage
two:
The
mental
stage
James
1:14
but
each
one
is
tempted
when,
by
his
own
evil
desire,
he
is
dragged
away
and
enticed.
(NIV)
3.
Stage
three:
The
deception
stage
4.
Stage
four:
The
disobedience
stage
James
1:15
Then,
after
desire
has
conceived,
it
gives
birth
to
sin;
and
sin,
when
it
is
full‐grown,
gives
birth
to
death.
(NIV)
4
Steps
To
Defeating
The
Dark
Side
1.
Think
about
the
consequences
James
1:15
Then,
after
desire
has
conceived,
it
gives
birth
to
sin;
and
sin,
when
it
is
full‐grown,
gives
birth
to
death.
(NIV)
2.
Take
every
evil
thought
captive
2
Corinthians
10:5
We
demolish
arguments
and
every
pretension
that
sets
itself
up
against
the
knowledge
of
God,
and
we
take
captive
every
thought
to
make
it
obedient
to
Christ.
(NIV)
3.
Stay
close
to
God
Psalm
119:9‐11
How
can
a
young
man
keep
his
way
pure?
By
living
according
to
your
word.
10
I
seek
you
with
all
my
heart;
do
not
let
me
stray
from
your
commands.
11
I
have
hidden
your
word
in
my
heart
that
I
might
not
sin
against
you.
(NIV)
4.
Remember
what
God
gives
James
1:16‐17
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.
(NIV)
CG
QUESTIONS:
1. Why
is
it
important
for
us
to
understand
the
process
of
sin?
What
are
the
stages
that
lead
up
to
sin
and
how
have
you
sin
these
stages
work
in
your
life?
2. Why
is
it
important
for
us
to
think
about
the
consequences
if
we
are
going
to
defeat
the
dark
side?
What
are
some
of
the
consequences
of
sin
that
you’ve
seen
in
your
own
life?
3. How
do
we
take
captive
evil
thoughts
and
make
them
obedient
to
Christ?
Give
us
an
example
of
how
you
do
this.
4. If
we
are
going
to
defeat
the
dark
side,
why
is
it
necessary
for
us
to
read
God’s
word,
pray
and
attend
church
and
community
groups
faithfully?
How
do
these
disciplines
help
us
defeat
sin?
5. What
are
some
good
and
perfect
gifts
that
God
give
to
those
who
obey
him?
How
do
we
stay
focused
on
the
good
gifts
that
God
wants
to
pour
into
our
lives?