10/25/13 Its not God For a long time, I used to think that when bad things happened or temptations would surface that it was punishment from God or some kind of test that I needed to pass. I have heard numerous people tell me that God was getting even with them or He was just trying them to see if they really loved Him or not. Have you ever felt that way or had those thoughts? What if it isnt God bringing this stuff on and in reality it was our own desires and choices? 13And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, God is tempting me. God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NLT We read this and guilt can creep in and Satan will try to tell us that all of this is our fault and we deserve exactly what we get. He is a liar and we need to realize that most of the time our reactions to something fuel the situation at hand and our decision to look at it in the correct way is the key to stopping the process (us being enticed, drug away and eventually in a place that we never wanted to go) of temptation becoming a problem. In verse 17 we see the first step in looking at things correctly (Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow). God takes everything into consideration and as an opportunity to show us His goodness and the best part this is always His agenda (He never changes). In verse 12 we are reaffirmed of this (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.) We are wired to respond to temptation with evil to respond to things in anger and to blame others for what is wrong with our lives. When we realize that God knows what is going on, is allowing us to choose and that we determine what and how we will respond to things, we have to take ownership. I do not know about you but I am comforted that I have the ability to choose how I will respond and if I seek God will use whatever is in front of me to make me stronger. How about you? Ben
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 12:27:58 +0000
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