Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. — James 1:14-15
Many of you may remember the comedian Flip Wilson who would do a skit about a sassy lady named Geraldine Jones, who when confronted with a wrong doing would say, “The devil made me do it!” Well, that was a funny line but the truth is that the devil can’t make us do anything.
Sin doesn’t just happen. It’s a process that has a lot of help. It usually starts with a temptation but it’s not God who does the tempting, “For God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (James 1:13). In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us that when temptation comes, God always offers a way of escape:
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Well, you might say, if it’s not God tempting me, then the devil must be involved. True, but guess who else is directly implicated? James tells us that everyone is tempted by their “own desires.” The apostle John called these, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16-18). In other words we like the stuff that the world has to offer. The problem is while we’re loving the world, we’re shutting out the love of God.
James presents an interesting word picture when temptation comes, prompted by “our own desires.” He says they “entice us and drag us away.” The literal meaning of that expression is, “being baited upon and drawn away,” much like the way a fisherman catches a fish by putting bait on a hook.
The next result of the process is sin, and sin, if it continues, can lead to spiritual death. Not a pretty picture is it? So, dear friends, let’s don’t fall for the bait. “Resist the devil and he must flee” (James 4:8). In other words, we can stop the process in its tracks!
One final thought on temptation from the words of our Lord Jesus when He discerned the enemy was speaking through Peter. He said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). Now that’s the best example I know of, how about you? Maranatha!
