Accept The Word Planted In You
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.
When
tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by
evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by
their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t
be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change
like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits
of all he created.
My
dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce
the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so
prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James
1:12-21
Sin can overcome us
anytime and anyplace. The temptation to go behind the hidden door of secrecy in
our lives and do things that dishonor the Lord haunts us all. We are all
capable of turning our own integrity of faith into a myth, and of turning our
positive testimony for Jesus into a sham. No matter what the temptation, we are
all vulnerable.
How should we avoid
giving in? Acknowledge the universality of temptation. Recognize the dangerous
results of giving in to sin. Keep ourselves accountable to fellow believers.
Plead with God for help not to fall.
Only God’s grace and
power can keep us from falling and then pick us up when we do fall.
Each sin has
its door of entrance; let’s keep that door closed.
Our Daily Bread –