Deception/Truth

"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." James 1:13Trials and temptations both have a similar impact on our lives, but they are significantly different. Trials arise from the challenges and crises of life. Temptations mainly arise from within our hearts, from our inner motivations.Trials are as numerous and varied as the people we meet and the places we visit. They are the things that others bring upon us, the things that we bring upon ourselves, or the things that just happen because we live in a broken world. Trial can erode our trust in the Lord.Temptations are like fishing lures to a hungry fish. They are designed to lure us out and take the bait. Yet once ingested, they become the hook that James says, “gives birth to death.” When we seek our satisfaction apart from Christ, we are rebelling against God and undermining our witness.But God triumphs over the impact of trials and gives us victory over temptations. When we are in Christ and in love with Christ, He promises us the crown of life. It is also in that relationship that he gives us the strength and trust in times of trial and temptation to resist evil and to persevere.May God continue to strengthen us as we continue in our study of James this week.Grace & Peace,Pastor Aaron