The Cause of Temptation: Gospel Today Devotional - 20th April, 2022

One thing with people, and I have seen common with many people is the very fact that most times when they err, they do not take responsibility for their mistakes, and misdeeds. You see, rather than agree to take responsibility for that which they have done wrong, they would put the blame on another. You begin to hear things like he was the one who forced me to do it. We do not hesitate to transfer the blame on others when we err, but we find it difficult to admit in times of successes that certain persons were responsible for that as well. This is the nature at work in the unregenerate mind.

The Cause of Temptation: Gospel Today Devotional - 20th April, 2022

You see, this was the same thing that occurred in the garden with Adam, and Eve. The serpent didn't push Eve to eat of the fruit, no, not at all. The Bible records that Eve ate of the fruit not necessarily because of what the serpent said but when she saw, in other words, when she lusted after the fruit, and thought that it was necessary to make one wise. She took of it because of her own lust, although based on a deceptive suggestion by the serpent. When God questioned Adam, he blamed Eve, and when Eve was questioned, she blamed the serpent. Was the serpent really responsible for Eve's decision to eat the fruit? Did the serpent say to Eve, you must eat the fruit at all cost? The answer is no. (Genesis 3).

In today's study, we shall by the help of God see that which leads to temptation, how it is that men are tempted as a result of their own lust. It is my belief that the Lord through his word would speak to you, and I today, and cause that which we learn today to impact our lives greatly. Amen. The passage of scripture under consideration is seen below,

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. [16] Do not err, my beloved brethren." (James 1:13-16).

In this passage of scripture, the apostle James makes something clear which I also would like you to see. You must first of all come to the understanding that God does not tempt any man. He doesn't present the pot before you so you could steal from it. He doesn't bring that lady into your room so you could sleep with her. God doesn't put the gun in your hands so you could kill. It is very inappropriate to say that God tempts any man. How then does temptation come? Who tempts a person then? We will get to see shortly.

You remember King David in scripture, don't you? How that walking on the roof top one of the evenings after his armies had gone for battle, saw a woman taking her bath. Do you agree the issue was not in seeing but in nursing that thought? David the king nursed the thought, and that led him to take the woman, and slept with her even if she was someone's wife. (2 Samuel 11:1-4). Was David forced? Did God tell him to nurse the thought? Was God the one who brought the woman before his eyes? You see, temptations will come, that is not the main thing. The real deal is how we handle it. How then is a man tempted?

From the illustrations above, that of Eve, and that of David, and according to the apostle James, a man is tempted when he allows himself to be taken in his lust (the continuous thought of that which he desires to do, or the continuous desire for such thing), and when that lingers in his heart, he embraces any opportunity given to do such (enticed), he does the thing eventually (sins), feels guilty, and wish he never did. And when the deed is done, it brings about a separation from God (death). And in the last verse, we were warned not to err, that is to be drawn away in our lust. Let's at all times guard our hearts with all diligence for this is the root cause of temptation, and the reason many fall when tempted. The Lord help us all in Jesus' name.

Thought for the day: God tempts no man. The very cause of temptation arises as a result of the state of your heart; the main reason you must keep your heart with all diligence.

Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].

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