Wednesday | James 1:12-18
James 1:12-18
12 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. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
If there’s one thing that’s true, it’s that trials bring temptation and remaining steadfast can be hard sometimes. I know that every one of us would rather Jesus change our circumstance, but I think we do not often ask for Jesus to change us in our circumstances instead.
Because we know that temptation will come our way, it is necessary for you to know a few things about temptation:
Temptation isn’t a sin but it is an opportunity to sin or worship (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Temptation always begins with a question or twisting of scripture and your identity in Christ (Genesis 3).
Temptation comes as a result of our desires and we will be responsible for our decisions: “Temptation involves the innate desire toward evil as it is enticed by the superficial attractiveness of sin. If a person should welcome rather than resist that temptation, desire conceives; and if not turned away immediately, it produces sin.” (Douglas Moo)
You will be tempted just as Jesus was tempted and are equipped with the same weapons of offense as Jesus: scripture and prayer (Matthew 4:1-11).
Your maturity is not determined by how often you’re faced with trial and temptation, but by how you resist temptation in the face of trials. James instructs us to look and the person and work of the Father in order to find refuge. The Father gives us good gifts like a new heart, is unchanging, doesn’t tempt us in times of trials, and gave us Jesus who lived in our stead, died in our place, and paid our penalty of sin.
Temptation begins a question of your identity, but Jesus, our Redeemer, is better because He who began a work in you will see it to completion.