It's Tempting So No

James 1:13-14 NIV

'When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed."

I hate temptation.  It is a part of my life that causes me more trouble than anything else.  I suffer temptation daily and fall occasionally.  I fight and find myself overwhelmed.  Some would say it is God who strengthens us that allows such temptation.  It is just a test to build up strength against the temptation. 

Yet, God does not tempt.  To tempt is opposite of His character.   Why would He train us through temptation when He knows we cannot build strength against it - we are only weakened by it.  God does not tempt but He allows temptation.  Why?

Temptation comes from our own desires.  It is a common to man to be tempted.  My temptation is not a new phenomenon.  My reaction to temptation is where truth is revealed.  God provides a way out of temptation and will not let us be tempted to the point of sin. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

Choosing to get closer to the temptation is a choice.  I can either run from it or accept it.  God helps us run.  He provides His Holy Spirit who calls us away from sin.  He puts roadblocks up to the path of sin.  When I let desire overcome this help, however, I let enticement turn into sin.  Desire births sin and sin leads to death - of the heart, the soul, the mind, the walk I have with God...

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

God does not tempt because He doesn't want our desires to drag us away from Him.  He gives us the choice to follow Him or to walk away.  When we choose Him, He gives us a way out.  He helps.  He provides.

So what do we do when tempted - we serve Him.  We walk away from the temptation, turn off the movie or TV, get off Facebook or other social media, cut off the computer... We get away from the things that pollute our minds and think on the things that are just and noble and pure.

We pray, read God's word, share faith, serve the downtrodden...We serve and get away from temptation.  What we do affects what we think and how we feel.  How we think affects how we feel and how we act (from a Rick Warren book).

Temptation exists in our idleness which gives birth to desire.  Guard your downtime.   Seek God.  Change temptations hold on you.  Make the the choice and walk with God.

James 1:27 NIV

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."