Laura J. Davis
  • Home
    • About
    • My Testimony
  • Bible Studies
    • Devotionals
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
  • Interviews & Reviews
  • Home
    • About
    • My Testimony
  • Bible Studies
    • Devotionals
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
  • Interviews & Reviews



​Unlocking God's Word

What Happens When we Sin?

2/18/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
​- James 1:12, NKJV

In our last lesson, we learned that we are to “count it all joy” when we fall into temptation because temptation produces patience, endurance or perseverance in us. And in the next few verses, the actual word “temptation” is used openly, rather than the word previously used, which was “trials.” Now, the full context of this chapter comes into view. There is no doubt, James is talking about the temptation to sin. 
When we are tempted to sin it begins deep within us as we seek to fulfill our desires and lusts. What you desire most, be it more money, a new car, a bigger house, a happy marriage or a perfect body can lead to the temptation to sin if you are not careful. And sin, when acted upon, ruins your relationship with God. Sin at its heart is incredibly selfish and always about you – your desires, wants, needs and lusts and leads to our spiritual destruction as the image above shows.

James warns us not to be deceived. We know when we are struggling with the temptation to sin, because we instinctively know the difference between right and wrong, for God has placed that knowledge deep within us (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 10:16-18). It is why even the unsaved know when they are doing wrong and feel guilty after they have done it, for God has placed that “sense” of right and wrong within everyone.

James warns us not to be deceived (vs. 16) by our desires. Every good and perfect gift comes from God above (James 1:17). If what you desire is not in line with God’s will for you then you know it is a sin.


It comes down to this – you are either “all in” with your relationship with God or you are still clinging to those temptations the world offers. Jesus said we must take up our cross and follow Him on a daily basis (Luke 9:23) and this means denying ourselves, taking that “narrow path” (Matthew 7:13-14) and not give in to our temptations. And what happens when you do not give in to your lusts and desires? You grow in your faith and your relationship with God.
Picture
And so we grow in Christ, and we are blessed. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved (tried), he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (emphasis mine).
 
Faith that works stands firm in the face of temptation.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Anger
    Baptism
    Beatitudes
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Blessings
    Book Of James Bible Study
    Confession
    Demons
    Devotion
    Devotional
    Ephesians
    Exhortation
    Faith
    False Prophets
    False Teachers
    Fasting
    Forgiveness
    God's Plans
    God's Will
    God's Word
    Grace
    Healing
    Heaven
    Hope
    Jesus
    Judging
    Knowing Jesus Series
    Lamb Of God
    Love
    Peace
    Practising Holiness
    Prayer
    Predestination
    Prophecy
    Prosperity Gospel
    Psalms
    Repentance
    Satan
    Sermon On The Mount
    Serving
    Sexual Immorality
    Spiritual Gifts
    Submission
    Submitting To God
    Suffering
    Teaching
    Torah
    Trust
    Universalism
    Worry

© 2014 Laura J. Davis. All Rights Reserved.
Photos used under Creative Commons from John 9:25, symphony of love