Today’s Truth: James 1:13
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ” I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, not does He tempt anyone.”
It’s always easier to point the finger. It started in the garden, the blame game, and exists to this day. As Christians we must recognize the truth that God is not responsible for our temptation and sin.
James warns against rationalizing our sin and blaming God int he middle of our battle against our temptation. When we are fighting temptation and near to giving in, don’t make the excuse that God is tempting you.
Assuming that no one would accuse God of directly causing him to sin, James is saying that we should not een think of God as the ultimate cause of our sins. Most people don’t go as far as to see God as the direct tempter, but they do believe God is indierectly to blame by having permitted the situation and possibility of failure. But God is not the tempter. Don’t ever look at yourself as the victim, instead be aware of where temptation is coming from.
“Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James1:14
More tommorrow on temptation. For today, recognize again that God is not the one tempting you to sin. Turn to God each and every time that you are tempted to act out in ways that are contrary to his spirit within you.
His Spirit within you is…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, self control.
Make it a good day, by choosing to live up! following after Jesus….paying attention to, listening for, dancing to the heartbeat of God.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I come and ask you to teach me about temptation and to show me the way out. I ask you to help me recognize when I am tempted to spin out in the flesh rather than live up in your spirit. I know that the flesh is more natural to me at times, but I want the ways and walk of your Spirit to be my place of dwelling.
