God does not tempt

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 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. James 1: 13-15

God cannot be tempted and neither does He tempt anyone. James 1:13 points this out so clearly. “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone”.

Temptation comes because of what is already in the heart of a person. It is a result of what we have allowed room in our lives. It can come first in the form of a seed. When it is not dealt with or uprooted, it begins to creep into every compartment of our house (heart) and before we know it, we have fallen deeply into a whole mess. Some temptations can leave you shocked at yourself and make you wonder how you got there in the first place.

Any evil seed that you don’t deal with at its early stage, will always come up to manifest itself into reality. James 1: 15 mentioned that it is these evil desires that will eventually give birth to sin- this is what draws us away from God.

Unfortunately, when faced with temptation, some people will fall bad while others if accountability is set in place can be saved from a life of sin.

There are ways to avoid falling into temptations. The below steps are a few guidelines:

• Always be real with yourself and what area(s) of your weaknesses are (be self-reflective)
• Identify the seeds in you that are not from or of God.
• Seek support from mature Christian believers to help and guide you
• Be in continuous fellowship with the Holy Spirit
• Engage in the word of God (specifically find sets of scriptures that deal with the area(s) you are going through and meditate on the truth of God until it comes to your truth)
• Have someone you are accountable to; someone you listen to. It is hard for a person who is accountable to someone to fall into temptation. Someone who knows what you are going through and knows the areas you are trusting God for total freedom.

Prayers:

• Lord, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24)
• Lord “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)