Temptation - its path and destination
My Bible reading today forced me to think about a journey we make - the journey into sin.
James 1:14-15 [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Dragged: James uses vivid language to describe this first stage of the journey - “dragged away by their own evil desire.” …I’ve a vague memory of a teacher dragging me by the ear to where I didn’t want to go, (probably the front of the class), but I cannot remember being dragged anywhere I did want to go. The picture underlines a truth - there’s part of us that wants to sin, we’re willing to go down that path. The force of temptation simply pulls us along even quicker.
Enticed: The next stage is enticement. We’re enticed when we give consideration to what we’re being tempted by. It’s a toying with the idea, allowing it a place in our mind. Enticement for King David was the “second look,” the long gaze at Bathsheba. Had he listened to his conscience and looked away, his journey to sin would have stopped right there.
Conceived: “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.” In a further stage, James uses the metaphor of pregnancy to explain what happens in the heart after the tempting thought is given place in the mind. It’s the place where the will joins the desire and a decision is made. We choose to sin. …This too underlines a truth in every sin we commit - at some point we’ve chosen it. As someone once said - “it takes two to make a successful temptation and you are one of the two.”
Death: The final stage - death …“and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” It’s a sober reminder that allowing sin to reign unchecked in a life brings death. …The wages of sin is death. (Rom 6:23).
James teaching of the path and destination of temptation reminds that there are stages on that path. But the good news for the Christian is that it’s a journey we don’t have to make. Jesus has overcome the tempter and gives us the power to say no. And the earlier we resist, the easier it is to walk away from it. Sin and death is not the inevitable outcome of being tempted. Jesus was tempted more than any, but Jesus did not sin. Praying, trusting in His Heavenly Father, He refused to go down that journey. May we follow His example.
Prayer: Lord Jesus I thank you that you are my Master and that you have overcome the devil. I no longer need to listen to His voice. Strengthen me today that I might resist his lies. Amen