Scripture to Read: James 1:13-16
There are days when we wonder why we struggle with certain temptations. Our focus today is on James 1:13-16. God wants us to know that when we are tempted that He never tempts us. Not only are we never tempted by God, but God cannot be tempted by evil at all. Our temptations come from the fleshly shell we live in here on earth. We call our fleshly shell our body. The downside of the body we live in is that it still hungers for this world’s garbage. God tells us in James 1:14 that each of us is tempted when we are “carried away” and “enticed” by our own lustful desires. The terms “carried away” and “enticed” are both fishing terms. They are like lures that a fisherman would use to lure the fish into biting so the fisherman can set the hook and reel in the fish. We know our weaknesses but so do the spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). The spiritual forces of darkness will seek to lure us away from treasuring God and His Word by getting us to treasure the garbage of this world. When we are being lured, it does not seem that bad, but the problem is that our lust is blinding us, and we completely miss the hook. The only way we can overcome the temptations we face is for us to choose to treasure God and His Word more than anything or anyone else. The choice is ours to make with each temptation.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how to overcome the temptations you face each day?
2. How will you choose to treasure God and His Word each day so that you will overcome each temptation?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!