The Process of Being Enticed: James 1:14-15

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

This process has value through dispensations, yet James 1:1 writes “to the twelve tribes” of Israel. (Prove all things as a wise student.) For example, man, temptation, and his sinful nature never changes, so this process seems quite relevant for the Body of Christ. Israel had great motivation to persevere: “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. 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.” (James 1:12-13) The Body has a similar reason to endure to receive rewards, yet we can experience loss. (I Cor. 3:14)

To endure temptations means to bear or withstand sin’s enticements, not yielding, nor lured to sin by: “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” (I John 2:16) Paul teaches us that God made ‘a way’ to escape common temptations; it’s by the Truth of sound doctrine: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) It is faith in the doctrine that is “effectual” as we believe. (I Thess. 2:13)  ‘The way’ is faith.

Process: Being Enticed to Sin: James 1:14-15 (Read this in your Bible several times.)

Step 1: A man is enticed to think about, look upon, or experience lust: 14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”  Being enticed is not sin but does offer choices. We can abstain and walk away or yield unto lust to sin.

Step 2: When man chooses lust, he purposes to go down the sin road: A fleshly sin response is “conceived” (begins) in the mind. “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28) Sinful thoughts progress as a person chooses to feed them, providing sustenance with mental time and energy. 15”Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin (The analogy compares a baby’s growth: conception to birthing.)

3) Thoughts often transition into sin behavior, with consequences: The fruit of ungodliness, whether in thought, word, or deed, is functional death. 15band sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”  Unfruitful, ungodly behavior burns away. (I Cor. 3: 15)

Think on This: Staying in the Word each day and walking by faith is the answer. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (I Thess. 2:13) To be aware of how we’re enticed to sin and having access to God’s Word in us, is power.

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