Temptation

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow it gives birth to death. 

James 1:14-15 

Wow, and here I was all this time thinking that temptation came from the devil. Interesting huh, but I didn't say it. The bible did.

You know how sometimes we like to say the devil made us do something. Well, news flash, the devil can't MAKE us do anything. He knows what we like most and will throw many thoughts our way until one catches our attention, but, from there on out, it's all on us. It's true that the enemy is roaming about the place looking for people to destroy but that actual destruction depends solely on us.

Is it wrong to be tempted? Certainly not. Even Christ was tempted. Sin only happens when you yield to temptation to do something that is wrong. So who is responsible when you give into temptation or lose control? The devil? Nope... sorry to disappoint you but that's all on you too. You see, our mind is a real battlefield and as soldiers, we're expected to catch these thoughts and expel them before they lead us to do something wrong. 

The scripture verses above shocked me a little when I first read them. If temptation comes from our own desires then a lot of us have some really scary desires hidden inside of us. Our own desires lead to sinful actions. So that means that we really should learn to control ourselves. We can't control the enemy, we can't control what thoughts he sends our way but we can control how long we let those thoughts stew in our minds can't we. We can control whether we act on them or not. We can control ourselves. 

So next time you're tempted to do something, be reminded that temptation comes from our own desires. Spend time dealing with these desires. The battle is fought in our minds, if we can control that, then we can control how often we yield to temptation. 

See earlier post on the battle of the mind here. 

Other devotionals like this one can be found on this blog, however to make things easier for you, I've compiled several of them into the first of a series of devotional books called, From Redemption to Maturity. Today, the Kindle edition of From Redemption to Maturity is available for FREE. If you have a kindle, click the image below to get your FREE copy. If you don't or you prefer paperback, then join me here on Friday as I will be giving away three paperback copies in a blog raffle. Till then, be blessed.

To get the kindle book for FREE (Till Thursday August 2) click the image below. 

Joana James - Author of Finding Romeo, From Redemption to Maturity, Nightmare at Emerald High , Alana and Alyssa's Secret