James - Temptation
We are 10 days into the new year. For many, those New Year’s resolutions are going strong. For others, you’re like, “What did I say I was going to do?”. And for some, you are fighting the temptation, the appeal of just quitting and going back to how things have always been. Making any kind of change, big or small is no easy task. It’s usually when you’ve made some progress or hit a hard patch that the temptation to just give up or give in shows up.
I’m using the idea of resolutions a lot of us made as a common framework for us to work from for this week’s scripture.
And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
James 1: 13 - 14
I was less then thrilled to have these be the verses that spoke to me this week. I was like, “I have zero desire to write a “downer” blog.” - yet here we are. Fighting temptation is hard y’all - really hard. It doesn’t matter if it’s a surface level temptation, like stopping a New Year’s resolution or a deeper temptation to return to old sinful behaviors.
Our desires, our “in this moment I want _________” desires, cause us to be tempted to leave the path we are on. We find ways to justify what we want in that moment. We become satan’s strongest supporter as we convince ourselves - permit ourselves, to follow our own desires instead of God’s.
How do we combat the temptation?
Spend time daily in God’s word.
Build a strong relationship with Jesus.
Call out for His help in times of temptation.
The temptations won’t necessarily go away, but our desires will be more like His. And we will have an easier time holding our ground when temptation comes our way.
The above scripture makes it clear that God is never the one doing the tempting, the one baiting us to stumble and fall. He also isn’t leaving us to fight the battle alone.
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
He will show us a way out friends. How to not to fall, but we have to be seeking Him. When temptation comes - and it will, let’s turn our eyes to Jesus to show us the way out.
To Everything There Is A Season…
Kiley Ann