ENTANGLED IN A SPIDERWEB
Opening Prayer
Father, use your Word to empower me, to give me what I need to faithfully serve you.
Read JAMES 1:12–18
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
We all are vulnerable to temptation. Reflect honestly on your own struggles.Temptation is like being caught in a spiderweb. The beauty of the web entices us to look closer, and yet once we’ve taken that first step, as James so vividly portrays, we become trapped. We are unable to pull back where desire leads to sin, and we become entangled in a web that eventually leads to death (v. 15). How easy it is to take that first step: just one white lie, just one quick look…of course, the possibilities are endless.
However, temptation does not come from God (vv. 13, 14). We can be misled into thinking that our personal desires will bring life, but Jesus reminds us that Satan only comes ‘to steal and kill and destroy’ (John 10:10). God’s amazing gift is the crown of life for all those who persevere (v. 12). It’s repeated in Revelation 2:10: ‘Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.’ This gift of everlasting honor and praise is bestowed on all those who endure trials and temptations, living faithfully for Christ.
Apply
Seek God’s forgiveness for those times when temptation trips you up. Receive the blessing of God’s good gift for us, the crown of life and new birth through the ‘word of truth’ (v. 18), our Lord Jesus Christ.
Closing prayer
O God, who gives us every good and perfect gift, I look to you for grace and strength to resist temptation in my life.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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