Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 5
Thursday


THE DEVIL
MADE ME
DO IT

READ:
James 1:12-18
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Each one is tempted
when he is drawn away
by his own desires and
enticed. __James 1:14
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In March 2009, a 62-year-old woman was charged with stealing more than $73,000 from her church in the state of Washington. When the detectives interrogated her, she told them: "Satan had a big part in the theft." It sounds like she was saying that the devil made her do it.

Satan may have played a role in her choices, but she has some faulty thinking about temptation and sin. The devil tempts believers, but he doesn't make us sin. James tells us that God isn't to blame either: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God': for God can not be tempted by evil, nor does he Himself tempt anyone" (James 1:13). He is good and holy.

So who is to blame for our sin? James says, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed" (v.14). Just as a fisherman uses bait to lure his prey, so our own evil, unchecked desires lead to giving in to temptation and sin.

When we disobey God by sinning, let's not shift the blame or justify our actions with the faulty "the devil made me do it" theology. Instead, let's take full responsibility for our actions, confess our sins to a gracious and forgiving Father, and pursue right living again. __Marvin Williams
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````````````````````It's wise to flee when tempted__``````````````
```````````````````````A fool is one who'd stay;``````````````````
``````````````````````for those who toy with evil`````````````````
`````````````````Soon learn it doesn't pay. __D. De Haan```````````
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When we sin, the blame lies within.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ James 1:12-18************

12 Blessed is the man who
endures temptation; for
when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of
life which the Lord has
promised to those who love
Him. 13 Let no one say
when he is tempted, "I am
tempted by God"; for God
cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does He Himself tempt
anyone. 14 But each one is
tempted when he is drawn
away by his own desires
and enticed. 15 Then, when
desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin
when it is full-grown,
brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my
beloved brethren. 17 Every
good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and
comes down from the
Father of lights, with whom
there is no variation or
shadow of turning. 18 Of
His own will He brought us
forth by the word of truth,
that we might be a kind of
firstfruits of His creatures.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In this text, James, a very practical person, mixes practicality with
theology. He begins with the practicality of resisting temptation
but then turns to theology by discussing the very nature of God
Himself. God's perfect holiness places Him beyond the capacity
of being tempted, and His perfect justice puts Him beyond the act
of tempting us. That leads to a discussion of the doctrine of sin,
defining its root as internal--in our very nature. So that we do not
confuse the root of sin and the character of God, James closes this
section by reminding us that, rather than temptation," every good
and every perfect gift" is what God gives to us. __BILL CROWDER