Daily Devotional for Wednesday, February 28

Trials and Temptations—Negative

“Do not err, my beloved brethren,” James 1:16.

Those of us who are parents or teachers hear all kinds ofrationalizations from our kids. “The dog ate my homework.” “He hit me first.” “She took mine, so I took hers.” No excuses are needed for good behavior—just the not-so-good. We adults are more sophisticated than that. We keep our rationalizations to ourselves!

Concerned for Christ-followers scattered abroad, James addressed this issue. For those struggling with temptation and looking to rationalize their behavior, he warned that God cannot be blamed for temptations. Lust and temptation are the enemy’s first line of attack. James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” If one gives in, sin and death follow. God, however, is not the author of anything leading to sin.

John warned the same in 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

After explaining how temptations cannot be from God, James summed it up with a plea: “Do not err.” Much like parents after hearing excuses, James simply said to not do it. He cared for his beloved brethren, the family of God. To keep the family strong and the name of Jesus honored, he said, “Do not err,” or “Do not be deceived.”

Christians today, like first century Christians, sometimes struggle with discerning between temptations and tests. James’ description helps. If lust and enticement are involved, it is temptation that can lead to sin. Here are questions we can ask:

Would the result be God-honoring or negative? Does the decision involve something not of God, unscriptural or immoral? Will it move me farther away from the Lord? Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), and the answers will become clear.

THOUGHT
May our prayer be like David’s: “Thou hast proved mine heart thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:3, 5).        

 Kelli Reynolds