Word@Work James8 - James 1:13-15
Published: Thu, 02/19/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TEMPTATION AT WORK
James 1:13-15 When tempted, no-one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (NIV)
We love to take the credit when things go well; but we hate to take the blame. Transferring blame onto others is common in every culture. Alas, people often accuse God when they fall into sin. But James says it is quite wrong to say that God makes us sin. God is holy and, by definition, cannot be corrupted by sin nor can He corrupt others. He knows that the world is polluted by evil; but He wants everybody to have the opportunity to be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:3-4), and so He does not wipe us all off the planet. Instead, He sent Jesus into this sinful world to pay for our sin and to enable us to live holy lives, resisting temptation (cf Titus 2:11-14), to His glory.
This passage helps us to understand the 'mechanics' of sin. Firstly, we have evil desires - even Christians have still got part of their old 'sinful nature' which lusts for what is wrong (cf Rom 8:5-8). When we allow those strong desires to control us, they will look for an opportunity to be fulfilled - these circumstances allow 'temptation' to call us. When we give in to temptation, we forget Jesus, and allow ourselves to have what we want - that is sin. And if we allow that desire/temptation/sin cycle to become a habit, it kills off our love for Jesus, and leads to a trail of destruction.
Most small children will not misbehave when they are being watched. As we grow up, we learn that we can sin most easily when others are not watching. So we practice bad habits at school and college where parents cannot see; and at work where the church cannot see. The workplace provides many opportunities to sin: when away from home in hotels, travelling alone, in company with non-Christian colleagues. Even our career can feed the greed for greater rewards. Indeed, work can become a god if we let it take top priority over family, worship and appropriate personal leisure. That is one of the reasons that hundreds round the world are reading this today - to ensure that they remember that God has first place, and that the rest of life, including work, must be brought under His authority. So review your ungodly desires and the opportunities to satisfy them. Then open up to God, and another believer for accountability, and prayerfully change your dairy so that you will not become sin's slave.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am sorry if I ever blame you for the mess I get myself into. Please help me to be realistic about the ease with which my evil desires can be to be tempted in the relative freedom I have at work. Help me to develop healthy accountability relationships, and a more active prayer life to help me to control my ungodly desires. To Your praise and glory. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
We love to take the credit when things go well; but we hate to take the blame. Transferring blame onto others is common in every culture. Alas, people often accuse God when they fall into sin. But James says it is quite wrong to say that God makes us sin. God is holy and, by definition, cannot be corrupted by sin nor can He corrupt others. He knows that the world is polluted by evil; but He wants everybody to have the opportunity to be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:3-4), and so He does not wipe us all off the planet. Instead, He sent Jesus into this sinful world to pay for our sin and to enable us to live holy lives, resisting temptation (cf Titus 2:11-14), to His glory.
This passage helps us to understand the 'mechanics' of sin. Firstly, we have evil desires - even Christians have still got part of their old 'sinful nature' which lusts for what is wrong (cf Rom 8:5-8). When we allow those strong desires to control us, they will look for an opportunity to be fulfilled - these circumstances allow 'temptation' to call us. When we give in to temptation, we forget Jesus, and allow ourselves to have what we want - that is sin. And if we allow that desire/temptation/sin cycle to become a habit, it kills off our love for Jesus, and leads to a trail of destruction.
Most small children will not misbehave when they are being watched. As we grow up, we learn that we can sin most easily when others are not watching. So we practice bad habits at school and college where parents cannot see; and at work where the church cannot see. The workplace provides many opportunities to sin: when away from home in hotels, travelling alone, in company with non-Christian colleagues. Even our career can feed the greed for greater rewards. Indeed, work can become a god if we let it take top priority over family, worship and appropriate personal leisure. That is one of the reasons that hundreds round the world are reading this today - to ensure that they remember that God has first place, and that the rest of life, including work, must be brought under His authority. So review your ungodly desires and the opportunities to satisfy them. Then open up to God, and another believer for accountability, and prayerfully change your dairy so that you will not become sin's slave.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am sorry if I ever blame you for the mess I get myself into. Please help me to be realistic about the ease with which my evil desires can be to be tempted in the relative freedom I have at work. Help me to develop healthy accountability relationships, and a more active prayer life to help me to control my ungodly desires. To Your praise and glory. Amen.
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