LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15, ESV
Theme: My sin causes death, both spiritual and physical.
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
Today’s Scripture from James says a lot about temptation. When he says that each person is tempted, what he purposely did not say is that each person could be tempted. There is no ambiguity in the original statement; we, indeed, are tempted… daily. By starting verse 14 with “But”, James is finishing the promise of verse 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.”
So, if not God, from where do our temptations come? God may test us, but He never tempts us. We have several sources of temptation working against us, such as desires of the flesh, worldly pleasures, or the devil. Even Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11), but Jesus rebuked the devil’s advances. Do we humans have the power to rebuke our temptations?
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
Sure, we all face daily temptations when we have choices of overeating, overspending, laziness, venting, gossiping, lying, cheating, abuse, jealousy. When we are lured towards caving to our own desires, these can lead to sin and eventual spiritual or actual death. For sure, we are tested every day. God has given us the power to refine our faith as we grow in our dependence upon Him.
I have provided examples of the little temptations to let you see how even little deviations from the good path can lead us astray when our human frailties lead the way. James 5:16 teaches us to confess our sins to one another and to pray. This exposes the temptations before they become sins. As with Jesus, we can resist temptations to sin by turning to God’s words for strength. Every temptation comes with a choice. What would yours be?
Our Holy Bible gives us many examples and outcomes of many temptations. We know what happened to Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), and King Saul, who modified some of God’s commands to meet his own needs. In all cases, the choices were made by the children of God - not by the God who provides us the tools to use towards His glory.
Make it Personal: Do you know what ENDCAPs are? They are a display of products at your local grocery, or just about any retail establishment. They are objects of temptation; strategically placed at the ends of aisles or at the cash register. Impulse items. Things you can live without but always succumb to the enticed desire of a simple marketing ploy. What temptations do you find yourself repeatedly trapped by, even small ones like these ENDCAPS, that can lead to sin and eventual death of spirit or body?
Pray: Almighty Father, forgive us our human frailties as we face those daily temptations. We thank You for Your guidance. Help us keep watch over our words and actions. We know that not all of our impatient actions are sinful, but we also know that they can lead us to that sin. Guide us through our desires, LORD, so that we may choose the wise path of righteousness. All this we ask, thank, praise and pray in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 5:11-14; 1 John 1:5; Psalm 141:3; Ephesians 4:26; Proverbs 29:22
Weekly Memory Verse: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15, ESV