By Pastor John Bingham
James 1:13-14, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
Do you remember the old expression, “The Devil made me do it!” This popular catchphrase was often used to excuse behaviour and to cast blame. This was the same problem that Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden. They didn’t want to admit their sin, so they cast blame.
1 John 2:16 teaches us, “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.”
As a Christian, we care called to live and minister in this world, but at the same time we are called to be holy just as Christ is holy. Temptations to depart from living for Christ arise from selfish desires and lusts. This is why we are called to keep a right focus, and a right kind of affection.
Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
In Christ’s ministry, he was asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” The answer to this question also is the solution for overcoming temptation. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37). Victory over temptation is found in keeping your eyes and heart on the Lord.