What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Devotion for Tuesday July 24, 2018

Sing A&M 300 – Be Thou My Guardian And My Guide

Topic: What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Text: James 1:13 – 18

This text draws our attention to the fact that God cannot tempt us rather it comes through the desire of our heart. James had his eye on whatever there was in trial of any kind to induce us to commit sin - whether by complaining, by murmuring, by apostasy, or by yielding to sin. So far as that was concerned, no one should charge it on God. Indeed James enjoined us to strive to overcome trials and temptation but that does not suggest that God will bring the temptation to us so that we can overcome and become perfect; temptations and trial come through the things we see and wish for. Satan thought to take advantage of Christ's humanity by urging Him to submit by obeying his tricks. Satan can solicit us to sin but he cannot compel us to do it. He said to Jesus, "Throw yourself down," knowing that he could not throw Him down; for God would intervene to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force Jesus to throw Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to such temptation coming your way, it could not overcome Him. Not all the power of earth or hell could force Him in the slightest degree to depart from the will of His Father. The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold in our lives. Every point in which we fail in meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ. Therefore, let us live our lives as Christians, allowing our will to be lost in His; then we will overcome every trial and temptation that the enemies will bring our way.

Food for Thought: Enticement and temptation are meant to draw you away from God, stay focused and never give in.

Prayer: O God, give me the grace to live above sin and temptation