January 9th Devotion

Genesis 22:1 (NIV)1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

God tested Abraham. It is of great importance the we do not think for a minute, that God tempted Abraham. I believe that God may put us through any number of tests, but He never tempts us. I have been tested, and I have been tempted. If God is not tempting us, then who is? Is it the devil? Temptation begins in our own heart and mind. Satan certainly will take full advantage of our temptation, but he is not the originator. It is true that he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, but they were tempted when they decided that “6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

1 John said it this way:” For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (NIV)

So, where does temptation come from? James, chapter one, goes right to the heart of the issue, and the answer really is no surprise.

James 1:13-14 (NIV) 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 one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

So, who was responsible for Adam’s sin? He was. And who is responsible if you sin? Yep, you are. It is no use blaming anyone else for sins that you commit. In fact, unless you own up to them, you simply cannot repent.

Face your sins today, and give them to God. He loves you and I promise, will forgive you. There is nothing better than to be clean. Let Him cleanse you.

Love, Pastor Don