admin
02-05-2008, 09:54 AM
How Temptation Works
by
William C. Brownson
+ + +
No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God" . . .
one is tempted by one's own desire. (vv. 13-14)
+ + +
You know what temptation is. It's a kind of invitation to do evil, to
make a wrong choice, to disobey God. James wants us to understand what
is really going on when we are tempted.
First, it's not God's doing. "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he
himself tempts no one." God surely tests us, but it's always with a
loving motive. He wants us to pass! The devil is the tempter (Matthew
4:3). As long ago in the Garden, and with Jesus in the wilderness,
Satan seeks to ruin us. He aims to lead us away from God.
But when we fall for his lies we can't say, as comedian Flip Wilson
often did, "The devil made me do it!" Succumbing to temptation is
always an "inside job." The attack succeeds because there are
traitors within the walls. The "traitors" are our own runaway
desires.
The way back is not the way of excuse, but of confession. "If we
confess our sins," God is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us" (1 John 1:9). And the same Lord who died to save
us teaches us how to be prepared next time: "watch and pray."
Thank you, Lord, for the gospel of forgiveness and new beginnings in
Christ!
by
William C. Brownson
+ + +
No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God" . . .
one is tempted by one's own desire. (vv. 13-14)
+ + +
You know what temptation is. It's a kind of invitation to do evil, to
make a wrong choice, to disobey God. James wants us to understand what
is really going on when we are tempted.
First, it's not God's doing. "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he
himself tempts no one." God surely tests us, but it's always with a
loving motive. He wants us to pass! The devil is the tempter (Matthew
4:3). As long ago in the Garden, and with Jesus in the wilderness,
Satan seeks to ruin us. He aims to lead us away from God.
But when we fall for his lies we can't say, as comedian Flip Wilson
often did, "The devil made me do it!" Succumbing to temptation is
always an "inside job." The attack succeeds because there are
traitors within the walls. The "traitors" are our own runaway
desires.
The way back is not the way of excuse, but of confession. "If we
confess our sins," God is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us" (1 John 1:9). And the same Lord who died to save
us teaches us how to be prepared next time: "watch and pray."
Thank you, Lord, for the gospel of forgiveness and new beginnings in
Christ!