God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. James 1:12-16 NLT
Desire ➡️ Temptation ➡️ Sin ➡️ Death
There is a natural progression that occurs when we yield to temptation that, if not interrupted, leads to spiritual death and separation from God. It’s been that way since the beginning of time when God warned Adam and Eve, if they chose to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden they would die. I’ve found in my life that once the progression has started, it’s much harder to break out of it; it’s far easier to keep our desires in check from the very beginning. David seemed to understand this when he lifted this prayer:
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:13-14 NIV
The words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are often reflections of the desires within us. To avoid sin, we should be very careful as to the things we set our minds on, the things we pursue, and the things that become important to us. We must carefully consider what we want in our lives and live accordingly.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5 NIV
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8 NIV
David’s son Solomon is a great example of a man with a healthy mindset.
That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 NIV
Solomon made sure his desires lined up with his goal to please God and as a result, God blessed him abundantly. His goal was not to obtain riches and honor, although in the end the Lord decided to give them to him. If God asked you the same question, what would you request of God? Is your desire in line with a goal to please the Lord. If that’s your desire, when temptation comes you will filter it through that goal, and make decisions accordingly.
For the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23a NIV
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 NASB
What if you’ve already failed at keeping your desires in line with your goal to please God, and now have given in to temptation? You know your sinful choices will lead to death, but what can you do to avoid the worse? James gives us a clue; he tells us that “when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” So you can’t allow sin to grow! Don’t water it! Think about the places you go, the people you surround yourself with, and the way you choose to spend your time. Are those choices “watering” the sin and causing it to grow or are they helping pull it out by the root?
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25 NIV
Only God can set you free! Jesus stands ready to help you pull away from sinful choices and renew your mind. Surrender to God, stop conforming to the pattern and desires of this world and ask the Lord to help you reset your mind on the things that lead to abundant life.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NASB