An Internal Problem

An Internal Issue

Saturday, May 08, 2021

by Dr. Paul Chappell

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:12-15

It is so easy and comforting for us to blame outside forces when we sin. We try so hard to make sure we are not held at fault. Eve blamed the serpent for her choice to eat the forbidden fruit, and Adam blamed Eve for giving it to him. Then Adam blamed God for making Eve in the first place. Such deflection, however, misses the point. When we sin, the origin of sin is not some outward temptation that is so overwhelming that we had no choice but to go along with it. Rather the origin of sin begins with the desires of our own hearts. Those desires are what draw us away from God and take us down the path of sin.

The key to avoiding sin is not to somehow isolate ourselves from any temptation. No matter where we go or what we do, it is our “own lust” that entices us. The devil is skilled at finding specific temptations that are attractive to us. He does not tempt us with things that do not appeal, but with things that are very enticing. When Jesus had been fasting, Satan's first temptation was to acquire food through a misuse of His power. It is not hard to see why bread would be attractive to someone who hadn't eaten for days. Victory over temptation only comes from within—from yielding to the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:13).

Today's Growth Principle: 

Rather than blaming others for temptation, turn to God's Word for help to overcome it.