James 1:13-18

There seems to be some hereditary thing going on within us, to blame God when we are tempted to sin or give in to our temptations. The first man Adam did this when he said, The woman you gave me tempted me.  God does not tempt us! Sin and God are opossing forces of each other and cannot co mingle. It is not in Gods nature to sin or be a promoter of something that is repulsive to Him.

Our temptations come from within and begin with our desires for lustful or worldly things. These thoughts and desires can be squashed in the beginning and avoiding all the destruction and hurt sin brings when it is conceived. As the word says, desire gives birth to sin and brings forth death. The warning here is that once you give into sin it is a powerful passion that carries you away. It is easier to resist the initial desire and overcome then it is to overcome the sin once it has taken hold in your life. Then, this habitual sin grieves the Holy Spirit that lives within you and if you don't resist and repent you are committing apostasy through your actions. 

So let's take hold of the good and perfect gifts that God has given us. He cares for you and makes the way of life clear through His word. The character of God does not change and life through His son Jesus and guidance by His Holy Spirit is offered to all and the only way to truly experience life that never lacks anything.

Pastor Patrick