James 1:12-15
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.
Difficulties and trials are a part of everyone's life, and God uses them to build our character (verse 12). But verse 13 makes it clear that God does not tempt us. Temptation is different from external trials, as temptations are rooted in our own desires. As verse 14 says, "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed". It often feels like temptations come from outside ourselves, and indeed Satan may try to bring temptations to us, but it is really our own internal desire that is attracting us to the external object. That is why we must address the roots of our desires, and learn to fill our needs in Christ, rather than simply try to avoid all external temptations. For if we don't deal with our root desires, "then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (verse 15). The pattern of desire yielding to temptation thus leading to sin is one that we have experienced all too often, and to avoid the final judgement of spiritual death, we need to break the progression.
God, help me to desire You and not the things of this world.
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.
Difficulties and trials are a part of everyone's life, and God uses them to build our character (verse 12). But verse 13 makes it clear that God does not tempt us. Temptation is different from external trials, as temptations are rooted in our own desires. As verse 14 says, "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed". It often feels like temptations come from outside ourselves, and indeed Satan may try to bring temptations to us, but it is really our own internal desire that is attracting us to the external object. That is why we must address the roots of our desires, and learn to fill our needs in Christ, rather than simply try to avoid all external temptations. For if we don't deal with our root desires, "then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (verse 15). The pattern of desire yielding to temptation thus leading to sin is one that we have experienced all too often, and to avoid the final judgement of spiritual death, we need to break the progression.
God, help me to desire You and not the things of this world.