Learn From James (Six) – Analysing Temptation

Good morning.

We are looking at the book of James, a Bible author who told it as it is. His teachings challenge the reader to act on and not only hear the Word of God.

We are all aware of temptation to sin, but do we analyse our temptations and respond to them so we could do something about it? Do we not often shrug our shoulders claiming that we cannot help we are sinning, and then wonder why our circumstances are what they are? Have you ever considered that bad circumstances could be due to the Lord’s discipline because of our continuous unrepentant sin?

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons,” (Hebrews 12:4-7).

Sin therefore cannot simply be ignored. James 1:13-15 tells us: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Sin is a process. The tempter, Satan, works together with our sinful nature to cause us to sin. Sometimes it is only our own desires that tempt us and sometimes Satan whispers suggestions in our ears that appeals to our weaknesses. When we are tempted, we have a choice. Children are often invited by their peers to do something they know is wrong. At first they would say no. Then the peers keep putting on pressure by using all kinds of luring, attractive suggestions and excuses why it is okay to do it. The tempted child then starts to wonder whether it actually is so bad and hesitates. Next the other children would take him by the arm and pull him to come with them and he would probably resist, maybe jerking his arm free. Unless he turns his attention away from the invitations by turning and walking away from the temptation, the tempters will win.

This is how it is with temptation as James described it. We sense something we want that is not of God, and unless we turn away from this stimulus it would turn into a desire. Here we still have the chance to stop it before it turns into sin. If we however yield to the desire, we have sinned, but it is not the end yet for we can stop halfway into the sin and turn back. Even if that child, who has been tempted to do wrong, runs away once he started doing it, he has broken free. However, if we stubbornly continue with the sin it will lead to death, which is separation in our relationship with the Lord.

Take for instance gossip. We hear a story about someone and burn to share it with others. If we resist doing it we have not sinned, but it is even better to not even listen to the story but turn your back on it.

Sin is damaging to our relationships with others, but in particular to our relationship with the Lord. It also affects Him in that His enemies ridicule Him (2 Samuel 12:13-14 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2012:13-14&version=NIV1984).

That is why we need to analyse our temptations carefully in collaboration with the Lord for “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it,” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The question, however, is whether we want to. Maybe we should remember: “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear,” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Yes Jesus has paid for our sin on the cross and we are forgiven, but we cannot wilfully live in sin. “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6)

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood,” (Hebrews 12:4).

Lord, help me to be holy.

Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.

Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.