Do not be deceived
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James 1:13-16 says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. [16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.”
Contrary to what many believe, temptations to do not come from God. Temptations stem from our own physical desires which when endulged leads to sin. The temptation may stem from our desire for more people to like us (pride). It might stem from our desire to have more things (greed). It might stem from our natural and physical desires such and sexual or even hunger which gone unchecked can lead to sin. Regardless of the temptations that we face, they never come from God. God doesn’t ever temp us.
So what is the other option? Who is using our own lusts to tempt us and draw us away from God? Satan is the master of deceit. Satan is so good at what he does that he can tempt us and at the same time convince us that God is the one tempting us. We like to blame God but saying things like “God made me this way” to excuse sin is simply allowing Satan to deceive us as he tempts us using our own desires. Do not be deceived!
