◄ What Does James 1:15 Mean? ►

All that is evil is of the devil and all that is good is of God. God will never tempt a man to sin, for God hates sin and cannot look upon sin, but God will often use temptation in a man's life to test his faith, patience, and perseverance, and the one that endures the test will glorify God.

Temptation to sin must never be seen as a sin. Christ Himself was tempted yet He never sinned, and we too can be tempted but do not need to yield to temptation, for God is faithful and will not allow His children to be tempted more than they can stand.

Temptation comes from the evil desires that lurk deep within the heart of all men, for we all have an old sin nature and we can allow these temptations to lure us away from what is good and entice us into sin. But man has a choice. We can either resist the temptation in the strength of the Holy Spirit as we walk in spirit and truth, in our new life in Christ OR we can yield to the temptation and allow it to take hold in our hearts and draw us away from truth and virtue. But once such an evil desire is conceived in our heart, it gives birth to sin. When sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

Although we are eternally saved and in positional union with Christ forever, sin separates us from God, for sin interrupts our fellowship with God, causing us to be separated from all that makes for life and health and peace in our hearts. But God, in His grace made a way for us to return to fellowship with him: "If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

How important therefore not to yield to temptation, but rather to turn away from fleshly desires and resist temptation, for all that is evil is of the devil, but all that is good comes from our Father Who desires that we are holy unto the Lord, set apart unto Him for He is holy.

Loving Father, I want to live in spirit and truth and to resist temptation. I know that there is a path I can choose that seems good but is not of You and ultimately ends in death. Give me Your wisdom, Lord, to turn from what is evil, walk in paths of righteousness, and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. In Jesus' name, AMEN.