ICS Daily Devotions
The Source of Temptation
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
As Christians, we need to be clear that God is not in cohort with the devil to tempt us. Temptation is purely from the devil and our own fleshly desires.
Today, the devil still uses the same tactic of tempting us through our senses. Temptation comes through the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh for the things in the world, and one of mankind’s weaknesses in the current age is the need for instant gratification, as everything in life is moving at a fast pace.
There are different kinds of temptation at various stages in life. For instance, children are tempted to spend excessive time on electronic devices, and youths are tempted by their peers to go clubbing and drinking. Young adults may face temptations to use unethical means in seeking promotion and to co-habit, while the more mature adults might be tempted to pursue business success at all costs and to be unfaithful to their spouses when travelling on business. Meanwhile, we can all be tempted to become proud over our achievements and possessions.
When it comes to how we handle and overcome temptation, Jesus has to be our example, because He was tempted, yet did not sin.
Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Nevertheless, temptation is not sin itself, but an enticement to sin. Temptation only becomes a sin when we succumb to the desire and act on the temptation. Therefore, don’t feel condemned the next time unwholesome thoughts and temptations enter your mind, but arrest those thoughts by taking them captive the moment they first come into your mind, which God has given us the power to do!
2 Cor 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Sermon Series: Break Free from Temptation
