Who is tempting me?

James 1:13 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.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

James 1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

These verses explain who is not tempting you, ( soliciting, and enticing you to sin ) and where temptation does come from. And, it explains the process of temptation, leading to it's ultimate end, and concludes with a warning not to be deceived about this important issue.

We ought not never to blame God when we are being tempted to sin. Why? Because He cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone to sin. The temptation to sin, comes from within ourselves, when we are drawn away by our own desires or lusts. And, when we give into those lusts, or desires, that's when sin takes place, and sin when it is fully grown brings death.

So, that's where temptation comes from. Not from God, but from within ourselves.

Apparently, some of James's readers were confused about who was tempting them. These verses clear it up very well, and very simply.

Even though we are saved, we will be tempted to sin. Temptation by the way is not sin, it's merely the first step toward sin. It's temptation. The actual sin takes place when we say yes to temptation.

Question. How do we combat temptation? One major way would be Prayer. Jesus instructed us to pray, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" Also, "building ourselves up on our most holy faith" Jude. That would be by being in the Word. And, then "fellowship with one another" Acts 2:42 We find real encouragement as we share our lives with other believers.

These three things, prayer, talking to God, the Word, being in it, and fellowshipping with other christians, will help us combat temptation.

So, may You be blessed today, may God make you strong by His power and grace, to resist temptation, to turn away from it, to seek His help through prayer and by being made strong in the Word of God. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise.

1. God never allows us to be tempted more then we are able to bear.

2. He will always make a way of escape for us.

3. Remember, to be tempted is not to sin,

4. Don't be condemned because you are being tempted.

5. You may need to take practical steps to avoid temptation.

6. Look away from temptation to God.