~Ami Schmidtke
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” – James 1:12
James clearly states God “…Himself tempts no one” (James 1:13); instead, we are actually “lured and enticed by [our] own desire” (v 14). The original language suggests this is a type of entrapment; when we are tempted, we are beguiled, deluded and drawn away from God by a misplaced longing or craving. We see something we want or think we need, and we lust after it; temptation is a form of deception, because our desires become elevated over our trust in God.
This can warp and twist our thinking, as it opens us up to believing things that are untrue about God’s character; truly – no matter what we may see in the natural – our God is a provider and He is not one who withholds! James even warns us not to be deceived, reminding us “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (v 17).
The things we regard and the way we think about God will flow into our behaviors. If we do not stand firm – taking the “way of escape” (1 Cor 10:13) God provides – the temptation will lead us into sin when we entertain it and act on it. James describes this as the desire being conceived, which actually means to clasp, to seize, or to take hold of (Strongs G4815). It may begin small, and yet, if left unchecked, the progression James outlines will have only one result: “…desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (v 15).
What can we do if we have allowed ourselves to be enticed and acted on a temptation? We serve a loving, merciful God; He has promised “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We are invited to “…repent and return” (Acts 3:19), which means not only seeking forgiveness for the sinful action, but actually changing your mind and turning against it, as you turn back to God. The language clearly suggests the root of the issue relates to our thought patterns.
Proverbs 9 describes something very similar, exhorting us to “Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding” (v 6). We literally need to relinquish, abandon, or depart from (Strongs H5800) that which is seducible or foolish (Strongs H6612) in order to be restored, revived and sustained (Strongs H2421).
Are there any thoughts or desires in your heart that need to be submitted before the throne? Don’t hesitate to take these to your Heavenly Father and lay them at His feet; truly, He knows what to do with them and how best to meet your needs!