James 1:13-15

"Let no one say when he is being tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. The desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

These are very full verses. They display truths which our culture has manipulated and twisted over the course of centuries and in our case the past few generations. In our reckless regard for the Holiness of God and failed understanding of who He is; we fall prey to many lies given by the world and humanistic religious practices. "The devil made me do it," is a cop out for when people sin. As if he has power to make you sin. He is fact can entice you, tempt you; as we saw with Jesus in the wilderness...BUT he cannot make you do anything. God and Satan are NOT equal players. There is not this question at the end of who will win...good or evil. Satan might be able to destroy but he too, is under God's authority. Nothing he does is not permitted by God. John Piper has said " God holds Satan on a leash." 

We can see even in this, that a poor understanding of scripture or literal ignorance of it; can allow cultural narratives to become 'biblical,' references; simply because we don't know what the Bible says! Often James line of sin becomes manipulated and twisted. First off, we confuse trials with temptations. Although both are allowed, as we have focused on trials, they are circumstances that come our way- for the building up and edification of our person. Temptations are those things that are luring us by our own evil devices. But you say- I am not evil, I am good! This too is a lie- the Word teaches us there in none righteous, no not one." Jeremiah 17:9" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked," this is why we cannot trust our emotions. Emotions, feelings, spring forth out of a well that is the root of sin. 

Then why, would God allow this? Because He is gives us the gift of salvation to kill the wickedness; He can and served as the perfect propitiation for our sins; and now through Him and through the power of the Holy Spirit we can walk in faith and overcome trials and temptations. We can endure temptations through Christ who gives us strength. James 4:7- 10 will go further into this but he says, " submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

What this does not mean is to abuse your liberty to flirt with temptation. Do not assume because you are washed in the blood you are now free from or immune to temptation. We all know those situations. Ones we get ourselves into- or maybe walk blindly into. We allow our struggles to become our temptations- which gives birth to sin which leads to death. A marriage that is rocky and leaves you feeling lonely leads to an innocent hello on social media to old friends...a flirty coworker who gives attention that makes you feel good; a drink that helps you forget the woes of the world; a diet that becomes more than health but an obsession and controller; the quickness of social media scrolling rather than time spent invest in scripture; entertainment that numbs the mind or leads to lustful thoughts- rather that what is good. The list goes on and on. This is where it becomes very personal. Ask the Lord to reveal areas where you are prone to wander; where you are weak and easily lead astray. Confess and repent; turn to the Lord and He will provide a way out! I am certain- because scripture tells us so. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." Wow. that is quite the promise, comfort and also conviction. It means that there in nothing special about what we are going through. We are not a one in a million circumstance that makes it permissible for us to sin or that God doesn't provide a way out. We also sell ourselves and the power of the Holy Spirit out. God is faithful! We miss that when we don't cling to Jesus and try to do it in our own strength. This- is the perfect time to exercise the encouragement and promise written in Philippians that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Through Christ. This is the only way that does not lead to death. 

May we see areas of temptation and flee to Jesus. May we be encouraged in our trials today and allow them to cause us to lean on, run to and depend on Jesus. Because no matter the circumstance... Jesus is enough. 

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Worship: The Lord is my Salvation