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James 1:13: Let No One Say When He Is Tempted, "I Am Being Tempted By God."


James 1:13
[13] 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. (ESV)

“While my wife and I were shopping at a mall kiosk, a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. My eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, my wife asked, "Was it worth the trouble you're in?"
Drew Anderson (Tucson, AZ), Reader's Digest.

Temptation. It trips us up all the time. James wants us to know that the source of our temptation is not the Lord. From the beginning, the enemy of our souls has been telling lies about the character and nature of God. He wants you to believe that God is against you. The world embraces this view. We love to blame someone else when we fail.

Did you ever consider that when it comes to temptation God is for us? God wants us to be victorious over temptation. The enemy wants us to fail. In fact, not only does God want us to be victorious, but he has made a way possible for us to be victorious. The victory at the cross was not only for our salvation, but also for our strength over sin and temptation. God is FOR us!

1 Corinthians 10:13
[13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God is on your side. Yes, you will be tempted. But your Heavenly Father will give you what you need to be victorious. Trust him. Turn toward him during temptation, not from him.

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