Welcome to Day 5.

Temptation doesn’t come from God, it begins quietly within us, tugging at our desires and leading us away from the truth. Today, James reminds us that when those desires take root, they can grow into actions that bring pain and separation.

But there’s hope. God always provides a way out, and His grace is stronger than any pull toward sin. Today, let’s bring our hearts honestly before Him. Ask for strength to recognize temptation early and courage to turn toward His light, where freedom and forgiveness are found.  Day 5 is deep.  Enjoy it.

James 1:13-15.

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:13 - 15

Temptation.  What tempts you? What pulls you deeper into a place that you don't want to be? Food?  Drink? Sex? Television?  

We are all tempted.  There's no getting around it.  There's no stopping it.  It's part of the fall of man and our sinful nature that we give into all the time.  I could rattle off a dozen things that tempt me every day, sometimes every hour.  I hate it.  It's frustrating and annoying and I just don't want to be a part of it.....but I am.  We are. 

So today, think about your temptations and think about the tactics that you use to maneuver around them.  Do you get up and walk away?  Shut the phone off?  Scream?  I once heard a therapist say that most temptations will subside after 2 or 3 minutes.  If....you can get through the 2 or 3 minutes by distracting yourself.

James is clear in what he says here. It's not God tempting us, so that argument is moot.  It's us.  Our desires.  Those desires are born in us and we manifest them by giving into them.  That then gives birth to sin and that sin eventually leads to death.

But....praise be to God.  He is with us.  Helping us.  Giving us someone to talk to in the midst of our desires and temptations.  He is there with us as we struggle and fight through them. Cheering us on and giving us strength.  We just need to acknowledge that and lean into it.

Today.  Lean into God as you are tempted.  Immediately call out the name of Jesus when you are tempted.  Rest in his presence as he is with you today, tomorrow and every moment of every single day.

Want to dig a little deeper?  Check out the Daily Devotion below, hope you love it.