Tempted to Death

 

¹² 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. 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. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 (NKJV)

 

Temptation.  Such a dirty word.  One that we do not hear discussed in polite Christian circles.  One that we never cop to.  It is so base.  Surely a godly person is above such sinful weakness!

But secretly, we all assent to the fact that it is a common denominator to us all.  Every day is filled with temptation.  We are tempted to cut someone off in traffic; to tell a juicy story;  to put someone in their place;  to slack at work.  We are tempted to make this life about what we want.  We are tempted to lust after things that are not ours to have – or not ours to have yet. The list of temptations is never ending.  And is customized and individualized to your weaknesses.

We all know that we have the devil, our adversary, the enemy of our souls, out to trip us up.  He loves to set us up to get us upset.  He loves to steal our peace and contentment.  And we love to blame him.  For all of it.

But in verse 14, James places the blame squarely on our shoulders.  I am tempted by my own evil desires.  (And so are you!)  Oh my- that stings!  Probably more sharply because it holds the ring of truth in it.  I am not tempted toward things that I don’t want!  It’s true.  I have never been tempted by a plate of liver or chitterlings.  But, man, does that chocolate cake call my name!

That is why it is imperative that we guard our hearts.  We cannot afford to entertain the things that we know to be sin.  We must quickly shut the door on it. Do not allow your eyes to linger on the beautiful woman or the hot man.  Do not fantasize that you have your buddy’s income. Or house.  Don’t be jealous of your friend’s trophy husband or model-worthy children.  It is when we allow ourselves to be enticed that we start losing the battle on our temptations.

There is a price to be paid for temptations- or at least for giving in to them.  The price tag is death.  When we long for something- or someone- who is forbidden, we start losing the battle to the temptation.  When we give it our attention, our interest, our heart…death begins immediately.  Immediately, I am less content with what God has so generously provided.  The erosion in my thankfulness and gratitude is simultaneous.  The erosion in my satisfaction with my lot and my treasures begins.  Relationships start to be neglected and die.  Intimacy with our Father is compromised on the spot, and death comes to our peace.  Our breastplate of righteousness begins to sag, leaving our hearts unprotected.

But when we stand through temptations and pass the test, verse 12 promises us life! In fact, we receive the Crown of Life!

Our society tells you there is no black and white.  Only shades of grey.  Truth is relative.  Brother and sister, it is a lie!  There is obedience and there is rebellion.  There is holiness and there is sinfulness. There is life and there is death. 

¹⁵ “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, ¹⁶ in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. ¹⁷ But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, ¹⁸ I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. ¹⁹ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; ²⁰ that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”   Deut. 30:15-20 (NKJV)

Choose life!