Temptation and Sin

Temptation and sin are subjects that affect us all. We all struggle with this from time to time; certainly I do. James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who endures temptation..." Verse 13, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God' " And verse 14, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." But we are deceived, aren't we? We deceive ourselves sometimes, convincing ourselves that it will be ok, that no one will be hurt, that no one will know, that it will make us happy. That is all a lie. And it is the devil's lie; he wants us to be deceived.

Note the next verse in the passage; James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..." I think this is trying to tell us that if it isn't from God, we don't want it; it will kill us, bring us death. There is a tv commercial running now for Yellowood where an old guy at the end says, "If it hasn't got a yellow tag on the wood, you don't want it." Well, that may be baloney, but James is right when he says that only if it is from God do you want it.

Finally, let us remember verse 12 when it says, "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." And that, my dear friend, is what we all want! See you next week. Be good.