1. Gods Judgement. – James 1:13 – 16
It is better to always look ahead and see the end of temptation which is Spiritual/Eternal death. We often see sin as a single act, but God sees it as a process. For instance, Adam committed one act, and that one act brought sin, spiritual and physical death, judgement on the entire human race – etc. Lets look at the process of sin in four stages
It is better to always look ahead and see the end of temptation which is Spiritual/Eternal death. We often see sin as a single act, but God sees it as a process. For instance, Adam committed one act, and that one act brought sin, spiritual and physical death, judgement on the entire human race – etc. Lets look at the process of sin in four stages
A. Desire (v 14).
The word lust means any kind of desire, and necessarily sexual passions. The normal desires of life was given to everyone by God, and of themselves are not sinful. Without these desires, we cannot function on earth, for instances – unless we feel hungry, we cannot eat, sex is a good desire; without it the human race cannot continue.
It is only when we seek to satisfy these desires outside God’s guiding rules for them that we get into trouble with God. Eg. Eating is normal but gluttony is a sin, sleep is normal but laziness is a sin, sex is good but adultery and fornication is a sin etc. These desires must constantly be our servants and not our masters, the secret is constant self control. This can only be possible through Jesus Christ.
The word lust means any kind of desire, and necessarily sexual passions. The normal desires of life was given to everyone by God, and of themselves are not sinful. Without these desires, we cannot function on earth, for instances – unless we feel hungry, we cannot eat, sex is a good desire; without it the human race cannot continue.
It is only when we seek to satisfy these desires outside God’s guiding rules for them that we get into trouble with God. Eg. Eating is normal but gluttony is a sin, sleep is normal but laziness is a sin, sex is good but adultery and fornication is a sin etc. These desires must constantly be our servants and not our masters, the secret is constant self control. This can only be possible through Jesus Christ.
B. Deception (v 14).
No temptation appears as temptation, it always seems alluring than it really is. It comes with enticements (baits) that appeals to our natural desires. The enticement not only attracts us, but it also hides the fact that yielding to the temptation will eventually bring sorrow and punishment from God. It is the bait that is the exciting thing. Lot would never have moved towards sodon had he not seen the well-watered plains of Jordan, (Gen13:10). The bait keeps us from seeing the consequences of sin.
When Jesus our perfect example was tempted by satan, He dealt with the temptation and the tempter on the basis of the word of God. When you know God through His word, you will always detect the bait of satan and deal with the temptation and tempter decisively. This is what it means to walk by Faith and not by sight. The balanced knowledge of the Bible is key to overcoming temptations.
No temptation appears as temptation, it always seems alluring than it really is. It comes with enticements (baits) that appeals to our natural desires. The enticement not only attracts us, but it also hides the fact that yielding to the temptation will eventually bring sorrow and punishment from God. It is the bait that is the exciting thing. Lot would never have moved towards sodon had he not seen the well-watered plains of Jordan, (Gen13:10). The bait keeps us from seeing the consequences of sin.
When Jesus our perfect example was tempted by satan, He dealt with the temptation and the tempter on the basis of the word of God. When you know God through His word, you will always detect the bait of satan and deal with the temptation and tempter decisively. This is what it means to walk by Faith and not by sight. The balanced knowledge of the Bible is key to overcoming temptations.
C. Disobedience/Sinful Actions (v 15).
We have moved from the emotions (desires), and the intellect (deception), to the human will. The emotions (desires) and the intellect (deception) conceives a method for taking the bait, the will approves it and carries out the act; and the result is sin. Whether we know it or not, we are have been hooked or trapped by the devil, just wait until it matures.
Victorious Christian living is a matter of the will and the feelings. Children operate on the basis of feeling, but adults operate on the basis of will. They act because it is right, irrespective of how they feel. This is why immature Christians easily fall into temptation; they allow their feelings make the decisions. The more you exercise your will in saying a decisive NO to temptations, the more God will take control of your life and keep giving you victory. ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure’ – (Phil 2:13).
We have moved from the emotions (desires), and the intellect (deception), to the human will. The emotions (desires) and the intellect (deception) conceives a method for taking the bait, the will approves it and carries out the act; and the result is sin. Whether we know it or not, we are have been hooked or trapped by the devil, just wait until it matures.
Victorious Christian living is a matter of the will and the feelings. Children operate on the basis of feeling, but adults operate on the basis of will. They act because it is right, irrespective of how they feel. This is why immature Christians easily fall into temptation; they allow their feelings make the decisions. The more you exercise your will in saying a decisive NO to temptations, the more God will take control of your life and keep giving you victory. ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure’ – (Phil 2:13).
D. Death (spiritual and physical) – v 15.
Disobedience to God’s word gives birth to death and not life. It may take years for sin to mature in the life of a person, but when it does the result will be physical and spiritual death. If we will only believe God’s word and see the final consequence of sin, it will encourage every Christian not to yield to temptation when the devil bring it our way.
Whenever you are faced with any kind of temptation, take your eyes off the bait/enticement, look ahead to see the consequences of that sin; the judgement of God and discover what the word of God says in such siltation and do it.
Disobedience to God’s word gives birth to death and not life. It may take years for sin to mature in the life of a person, but when it does the result will be physical and spiritual death. If we will only believe God’s word and see the final consequence of sin, it will encourage every Christian not to yield to temptation when the devil bring it our way.
Whenever you are faced with any kind of temptation, take your eyes off the bait/enticement, look ahead to see the consequences of that sin; the judgement of God and discover what the word of God says in such siltation and do it.
