James: Wisdom from Above - Temptation

The Devil made me do it! The dog ate my homework! If I wasn’t broke, I wouldn’t have stolen! If you hadn’t triggered me, I would have responded differently! I sped because I was late! We’ve all heard excuses for bad behavior and maybe have presented our own. My favorite occurred in my own home with a child that would antagonize their sibling, then complain when that sibling lashed out. Took me a few times before I caught on to what was happening. We now call her (ooops!) the Button Pusher!

In our text this week, James anticipates that trials travel with new temptations. He anticipates the excuse, If God hadn’t put me in this situation, I wouldn’t have acted out. Thinking or saying something like this puts the blame on God for my sin, and James challenges that excuse-making and blame-shifting. Instead, James exposes the root of temptation, our unique desires. 

Join us Sunday as we consider the nature of temptation and worship the risen Christ who not only redeemed us but can give us grace to face the temptations around us!