The Process of Sin (James 1:14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 08-26-03

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  The Process of sin

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  James 1:14

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “4 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”  (NKJV)  “Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.”  (NLT)

            There is a process to sin, for when Adam and Eve sinned it did not just end there, but actually that was just the beginning of sin for the human race.  There is a process of sin in the individual lives of people too, for one sin can surely lead to another sin and so on.  In this 14^th verse of the first chapter of James we see two parts of this process of sin; desire and deception.

The word desire is properly translated in the NKJV, for in the NASB it is translated lust and that is why I chose this version.  Strongs writes this about this Greek word:  “1939 epiyumia epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah 1) desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.” 

            There is nothing wrong with natural functions such as eating, drinking, sex, or other natural desires that we as human being do.  When these desires are satisfied outside the will of God then they become sin.  Sex is fine in marriage, but not outside of marriage.  Eating is fine but eating too much is sin, sleep is fine, but laziness is not. 

            The next process that James talks about in this verse is desire, and we see that from the phrase “drawn away.”  Strongs writes this about these words, “ 1828 exelkw exelko ex-el'-ko 1) to draw out 2) metaph. lure forth: in hunting and fishing as game is lured from its hiding place, so man by lure is allured from the safety of self-restraint to sin. In #Jas 1:14, the language of the hunting is transferred to the seduction of a harlot.”

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Satan tried to lure Jesus in Matthew chapter four by saying to Him, “since your are the Son of God why don’t you turn these stones into bread?”  Jesus answered Satan with “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from God.”  Jesus was hungry after His forty day fast and could have turned those stones into bread, but that would not have pleased God so to combat the lure of the Devil He used the Word of God, and I, as one of His children are to do the same thing when being lured by sin in my life.  In order for me to know about these lures of temptation, I have to know the Word of God.  Paul says that we are to put on the full armor of God and part of that armor is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  In order to use it you have to know it.

 

The Word of God was a challenge to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To walk by faith and not by sight so that I will now fall prey to the wiles of the evil one.

 

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.