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Hey Bro. Without,

Just wanted to say, "Thank you for your post." Always a blessing when we share something that can encourage, uplift, and praise His name!!

God Bless You,
Wonderfilled
Have an awesome day.

This question has been in my head for so long it makes my head swim . I think that temptation itself is not sinful. James says that blessed are we when we endure temptation. Jam 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

This to me says that the temptation itself is not sinful. I do believe that one of the enemy's biggest lies to me is that when he tempts me I am actually sinning. It is one of my biggest battles. May the Lord be praised for this word in James....

Steve

I guess where I struggle is not about the initial suggestion of the temptation -- from wherever that may come. Or the final outcome -- if we act on the temptation, that's certainly sin. But what about inbetween? Once the suggestion enters our mind, we should of course dismiss it with prayer, Bible verse, . . . whatever it takes. But easier said than done. Sometime the dwelling on that little seed of temptation is the difficulty.

Jam 1:13 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, [i]when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Jam 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
[/i]
These verses to me speak of the fact that we are fallen creatures and because of our sin nature we are tempted to sin because of our own lust. I like what James says here about "being drawn away of his own lust". I think this is the period you are talking about. I agree with you brother, best to turn immediately away so it goes no further than the lust that is in everyone of us. The way I read it is...Lust(enticement), temptation, sin.

Steve

Oh yea, then death. I think this is a type of spiritual death in the soul. It's as if our spirit is not able to transform the soul because we are setting our minds on the fleshly desires....Does that make sense? Steve

Yep, absolutely makes sense. And isn't it amazing how spot on what James said so long ago is still so true today . . . and we're still struggling to get it?? ugh. Be well, brother.