06/04/2026
James 1:12-17 Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death. My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this.
Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.
When we enter temptation what will we do, how will we react? We are all tempted by the world’s lust and influences. These old-world influences are subtle most times, but in your face other times. But what about when it is a thought in your mind, remember this is where Satan does his best.
Yes, there are temptations that are test of our own resolve and beliefs, Father did not tempt me, but I walked into the temptation on my own, knowing the consequences. One thing was different, instead of engaging into the temptation which most certainly led to death, I surrendered to the smithy’s hand (Father). He placed me in the fire of the forge to draw the impurities out, the dross, producing a stronger person than I was before, Proverbs 25:4. Did he make me? No. Did he tempt me? No. it was on my own, walking with him I realized that each time I was drawn to temptation I would allow him to draw out that which tempted me and now I walk through it without participating.
I have been in bars, houses of prostitution, gang dens and streets filled of debauchery and lust, people having s*x before my eyes. These things are big temptations to the follower that lead to certain spiritual and physical death. But the thing that will make you walk through is stepping into the forge and allowing Him to draw that impurity (dross) out.
