James 1:13-14

James 1:13-14
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God" for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

There it is... the last piece of cheesecake! That piece of goodness catches your eye and hypothetically tells you, "Come, eat me, and be fulfilled." Normally, you would eat it because what good is cheesecake, but in your stomach? And you want to! However you are watching what you eat, and doing a good job at it.

Obviously this is a test from God! He wants to know if you will be strong and not eat it, or if you will fall into your old ways and eat it. It has to be a test because just this morning you prayed that God will help you watch what you eat...

From James 1:13, it is not God that is tempting you to eat the cheesecake.

This next obvious culprit is the devil. You tell the devil, "Devil, get thee behind me." (It is what I always do). He wants you to slip, fall, then punish yourself for eating more than what you needed.

Again, from the scripture above, it is not always him either.

James 1:14 says that it is our own lust or desire that started in our mind and entices us to indulge in sin. We either fulfill our desire or give it up. It can be one of the hardest things that we could face.

God gives power and victory over sin. John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." There is always power and strength available from God. It says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

I wish all temptation was just a piece of cheesecake! Unfortunately, some temptation can be more serious and have deadly consequences. If there is temptation in your life, lean on God!

Proverbs 24:19-22

Proverbs 24:19-22 ESV

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Have you ever came across someone who on the outside seems to be a good person, but on the inside they are rotten to the core? You know they scheme and sneak around to make themselves look better, all the while, you look worse and worse.

It is unfortunate, but it happens. The Word clearly says that we are not to fret over evildoers. For one day everything that they do will come out. The Word also says that we reap what we sow in Galatians 6:7-8. If a person sows evilness then it is evilness they will reap. They can rock the boat along for a little while, but the boat will tip over, suddenly.

If someone is doing something that is wrong, do not be cross with them, but try to love them. I know it is easier to love the lovely, but in the long run you don't want to reap that sharp tongue, bitterness, or anger.

What is your harvest?