Good Morning.

Does temptation issue forth from the hand of God? James 1, verses 12-16 New Revised Standard Version--

Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life

that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. No one, when tempted, should say,

"I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one.

But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire

has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved.

It was clear back in Genesis 3.1 that we find the entrance of temptation. . . which of course by

its very nature implies a choice, and that choice includes evil. Eve and then Adam could not stand up

to the temptation put before them 'to really know' if they ate of the tree of knowledge. . . with the

choice made by the first couple, the sin condition entered what had been a perfect world.

Does God send temptation our way? James is pretty clear that God does not tempt anyone; it is

impossible for God to violate His own character. Thomas a Kempis in his work,

"The Temptation of Christ", written in 1441, has some keen insight on this critical topic.

The beginning of all evil temptations is an unstable mind and a small trust

in God. Just as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, so a

person who lacks resolution and certainty is tossed about by temptations. . .

temptations reveal who we are.

It is our own (individual) desires that entice It is for this reason that what tempts you may not

tempt me, and visa versa. It is valuable to see that >Temptation is part of a process-

>First, the thought is allowed to enter our minds

>Second, the imagination is sparked by the thought

>Third, we feel a sense of pleasure at the fantasy, and we entertain it

>Fourth, and finally, we engage in the evil action, assenting to its urges.

Kempis admonishes us about thoughts of temptation,

"Meet them at the door as soon as they knock, and do not let them in."

We can overcome temptation by the help of the Holy Spirit When we choose to make Jesus the

Leader of our life, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us, and He gives us the power to resist

temptation, if we look to Him. "the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation." 2 Peter 2.9

We have a promise to claim God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear--

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow

you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,

that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10.13

I think that God appreciates it when we know His Word well enough to speak it back to Him--

'God, I am taking You at Your Word--that you will give me no more than I am able to handle--

You promised a way of escape. . . please show that to me now-'

And so we employ our dear friend wisdom and we are prudent about what we expose ourselves to...

Wait... are we prudent? Do you and I flirt with the temptation that will lead to sin by opening

ourselves to it? Later in James chapter 4, verse 7 he says to:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ask for wisdom today, my friends~ Christine