The Path of Temptation

“. . . Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” –James 1:14-15

If I’m going to overcome temptation, I have to understand it. James gives us a pattern here for how temptation works. It starts with self-baiting. The original language words for ‘dragged away’ and ‘enticed’ are hunting and fishing words that refer to when someone sets a trap or baits a hook. In other words, our own evil desires within us set a trap in our minds. This often happens through some type of self-justification. We tell ourselves that we deserve revenge because someone wronged us. We tell ourselves that it is easier to lie than to tell the truth, but we forget the consequences. We bite the hook that we baited. Once that desire is planted, sin is in the works. It is so difficult to stop the train of temptation once we let it get momentum. This is what happens by the time the desire gets there. And of course, the wages of sin is death.

So what do we do with temptation? I wish I could tell you I am some kind of expert at it, but my expertise often comes from failure rather than success. It is safe to say though that if we are going to overcome temptation, we have to be willing to get to know ourselves in the light of Scripture. We have to understand areas where evil still reigns within us. When we understand our weaknesses, we can begin to see where we lie to ourselves in order to find temporary gratification. I can’t help but say that we must have accountability here too. We have to be vulnerable to those who are closest to us so that they can have eyes for us to see when we are deceiving ourselves as well.

Being honest and examining ourselves is not easy. It is quite painful to be refined in light of Scripture, but remember that God is gracious. Our sins are paid for at the cross. God does not expose our sin so that we might be condemned. Rather, He exposes our sin so that we can find healing in Him.

Are you ready to really know yourself the way that God does? It is painful, but once you begin to understand yourself, you will be on the road to overcoming temptation.