“Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:15
We need to be aware of our weaknesses and deal with them. Lusts can be sexual, physical, material, emotional, mental . . . . Any forbidden desire, craving or longing is a lustful temptation in the making.
So...what to do?
- Take those thoughts captive to Christ
- Repent
- Lay them at the feet of the cross
- ...and walk away—going in the opposite direction!
- Revisiting these steps often is advised.
I used to feel so defeated when the same sin, same lust, same weakness would show its ugly head again. I knew without a doubt I had given it to God. And I didn’t consciously pick it up again. But our Adversary’s only purpose, remember, is to steal, kill and destroy. Satan knows our weaknesses. He’s been in the temptation business for a long time now. He studies human nature. He knows our actions and reactions to certain stimuli. So he will always use our weak places as a target or launching pad to go after other targets.
Don’t play dumb to lusts—be ruthless!
When that desire has been indulged in, it produces sin. Sin is the seed of the fruit conceived. And all sin brings forth death (Romans 6:23). Physical death—yes! But there is a lot of other ways to die—there any many slow deaths.
Death of Relationship
Death of Righteousness
Death of Character
Death of Integrity
Death of Witness
Death of Testimony
Death of Faithfulness
Death of Faith
Death of a life consecrated to God and blessed in Him.
All lusts begin in the mind. We have to take those tempting thoughts captive! We can’t allow them to conceive.
Conceived lusts will only always result in sin.
Sin will only always bring forth some form of death.
We may call them “consequences” and yes, some are more serious than others, but death will happen and we don’t get to choose what kind.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
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Click here for the other posts from my study of the book of James.
I am joining The Good Morning Girls as we study James together.
