Temptation, Deception, Sin and Death (James 1:15-16)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 08-27-03

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Temptation, Deception, Sin, and Death

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  James 1:15,16

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.  16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”  (NASB)  “These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death.  So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.”  (NLT)

            James continues to write on the process of sin and in this verse he uses the picture of a woman giving birth as the person sinning.  Satan used this same process on Eve to get her to sin in the garden.  Satan used desire to tempt Eve by saying that God was lying to her because if she did eat of the fruit she would become like God knowing good and evil.  These desires caused her to think about it, and when she thought about it she took the bait that Satan had given her to trap her and ate of the fruit of the tree, which brought forth death, spiritual death at once, and physical death later on.  Adam ate of the fruit with his eyes wide open and this is what plunged the human race into sin.  So death is what comes forth froth from sin.  Now believers cannot die spiritually because of sin, however they certainly can die physically because of sin.  Paul writes in 1Corthians 11:30, “For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep,” and John writes in 1John 5:16, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.”

            James give another warning about this process of sin which can lead to death in verse sixteen where he warns his readers not to be deceived or do not err.  Believers are not to make the mistake of blaming God for them sinning, because God does not cause anyone to sin, as James has explained in these proceeding verses.

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at this process, actually a process that when left unchecked can lead to premature death in my life, I need to understand this process that has been used throughout history to trap people in sin, and by God’s grace not fall into it, not take the bait, realize when I am being tempted and run from it.  Trust the Word of God in 1Corthians 10:13 where Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”  The easiest way to check temptation is when it first comes on you, and I also must remember it is not sin to be tempted.

 

The Word of God again has brought forth challenges to me as I read it and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to remember 1Corthians 10:13 when I am being tempted.  I need to put on the spiritual armor that God has provided for me each day, and to use it.  To trust the Lord in all the tests He brings into my life and not to fall to temptation when I am tested by the Lord, for His testing is for my good even though at times it does not seem so.

 

Memory verse for the week:  James 1:1

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.