Tempted

 

2/4/2021

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; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

The above verses are ones that are not easy to absorb, and they force us to take responsibility for ourselves. Like I said last night, the book of James is challenging. God does not tempt us in any way, shape, or form. Temptation comes from the evil one and can start very subtly, with just a distant or minor thought that can grow into a destructive desire. It is like that with any thought process, if you think pessimistic thoughts, those grow into defeatist and cynical words, which can grow into disastrous actions. I think we have seen that in abundance in our culture of late. The more enticed we allow ourselves to become, the more that evil desire will be fed. It is the trap of a self-focused life instead of a God-focused one.

So again, this is another call for me to decrease and Christ to increase. When I pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, I am drawn away from evil desires. When I am God-focused, my holy armor will be secure, and I will be able to stand up to temptation. The words at the end of the passage are chilling, "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This could come about as a physical death, but is most certainly a spiritual one. The only way to combat this darkness is to turn to Jesus in all ways and always. Instead of an evil desire bringing about death, a desire for Christ brings with it mercy and everlasting life.