James 1:14–15 (ESV) — 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.
NOTE: Today, it is
very popular to blame our problems on something outside of our control--to be a
victim. To blame ourselves for our problems is not popular. And certainly sin
has degraded the world from God's plan so much that there is reason to suggest
DNA or medical, physical, and mental health reasons. But the real problem is
then we stop caring or trying to change; and we blame other factors or our
sinful self for our defeat. There is a danger in this approach, because we stop
dealing with sin. What do we do then? Three things. One, we always repent
because when we stop repenting it means we have accepted our sin as normal and
okay. Two, we avoid situations where we can be lured. This area could be a
whole thesis and we need to figure out what are our triggers. Three, we must
not dwell because by dwelling we allow desire to grow. Ephesians says put off
(sins) and put on (godly behaviors). What activities or thoughts can change me
from dwelling (the opposite of putting off) to putting on new habits and
thought patterns? It takes a little work, but this process can change a
person's life.
PRAYER: Father, help
me to think through my own sinful struggles. May I never stop repenting. May I
seek to remove the triggers which lure me. May I replace the desire to linger
near sin with activities that transform me. Father forgive us for our unholiness.
Wash us, cleanse us, make us objects worthy of your name.
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