From temptation, to desire, to sin, to death

Good day, welcome, hang on before you go clicking off this video, this you may care to listen to, what God has to say. You see, the voices we let in matter, words matter, greatly as it turns out. you matter. So much more than you realize. We find ourselves in a world full of 10 -15 sec gotcha clips, gotcha moments ,overlayed content, i’m tired of gotcha, fake I want real, tangible, I want, God‘s word, the truth. yes, it can seem daunting,
confusing, overwhelming, yes. however, in the right context, I assure you what he has to say is the most powerful thing you will hear this year. If you allow yourself to let it in, by slowing down, being present. just 5 to 10 minutes a day. Can change everything.
for me probably the most important, most critical. when & if you lean in, will begin to change the entire atmosphere where ever you find yourself with the Holy Spirit near anything is possible, and I do mean anything that’s one of his many promises . thanks for stopping by to spend some time with Grace Ministries USA, you are always welcome, here in beautiful North Carolina . please give , us a thumbs up, if you got something from God’s word, if he added value to your life in anyway, please subscribe for more

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
—James 1:14–15
In our fractured, isolated culture, there’s still one experience common to everyone: the temptation to do wrong. No one is immune from it.
But where does temptation come from? The default answer for many people is the devil. And there’s truth in that. But he’s not the only source. As James points out, temptation comes from us, too. We play a key role in our own temptation. Where there’s no desire on our part, there’s no temptation.
You see, temptation is a process. It’s not a sin to be tempted; it’s an invitation to sin. In other words, it’s not the bait, it’s the bite. If you don’t take the bait when you’re tempted, you haven’t sinned. Having a bad thought come to your mind doesn’t mean you’re evil; it just means you’re being tempted by evil. Just like everyone else.
The question is, how interested are you in the temptation? How does it align with your desires? Do you have the urge to sample it?
At a farmers’ market, a man offered me a free sample of soup. My first response was to say no. Soup to me is like salad—it’s what I eat to warm up for real food. But the man persisted. So I took a little sip from his tiny little cup. Next thing I know, I’m carrying home a bag of frozen soup that I purchased. And it started with a free sample.
The devil uses a similar strategy. He says, “I know you would never do this because you’re such a godly person, but just take this thought for a spin. Or just take a little nibble. It’ll be fun. You don’t have to act on it.” That’s how temptation works. It starts in your mind. And then, as James says, “our own desires . . . entice us and drag us away.”
“And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” Sometimes when you act on an evil thought, you get a momentary pleasure. Almost immediately, however, if your conscience is working, guilt kicks in. You feel regret, remorse, and a spiritual deadness because you’re separated from God.
Your first reaction may be to blame the devil or someone who led you astray. But you’re the one who’s responsible for your actions. Once you accept that truth, you can claim the promise of 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT).
And don’t lose sight of one other truth from God’s Word: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NLT).
They will also set a shining example for their family. Seeing you patiently endure testing and temptation may inspire your family members to patiently endure their own testing and temptation.
God always provides a way out for us when we’re tempted. He stands ready to help us—and then to reward us when we resist. How amazing is that?
Question for Reflection: How can you involve God immediately the next time you feel tempted?