In James 1:15-16 there is a shift of metaphors from hunting and fishing to childbirth. “Lust is depicted as a mother conceiving and bearing a child, which is “sin” and whose ultimate destiny is “death”. Early in my ministry this was known as the “LSD” verse of the Bible. The Lord makes it clear here that sin is not an isolated act or even a series of isolated acts, but rather the result of a specific process. That process can be seen in the 4 “D’s” of the nature of lust. It starts with “Desire” (lust) which begins with an emotion, feeling, or longing for something, that at first may be largely subconscious. Something we see or hear about suddenly grabs our attention and draws out a strong desire to have it or do it. Then we move to “Deception” (lust has conceived) This is more closely related to the mind than to the emotions. We think about a desired object, and our mind begins to rationalize a justification for getting it. That moves us to “Design”. When our plans start to be made to fulfill the emotional desire that we have rationalized and justified in our minds. This stage … READ MORE

I am a fisherman, and as such I purchase a lot of fishing lures. Every lure is designed to catch a fish, but I my wife tells me from time to time, each of my lures has caught one sucker! – lol. When I buy a lure, I often walk through a store like Cabela’s and look at all the lures they have, can then begins the struggle with the purchase. I first look at the lure, and then I return and pick up the lure, and look at, often shaking it to see if it has a rattle or some other distinctive feature. Then I put it back on the shelf and begin thinking about whether I want to spend the money it takes to purchase it. Again I have an inner struggle, as I consider the benefits of getting the lure, finally I will do one of two things, either I will leave the store, and drive away, or I will go back and give into the desire to have a lure that I believe will bring me the happiness I desire as I unhook the fish that I believe that it will bring me. I would like … READ MORE

In the testing of Jesus in the wilderness after 40 days and nights of fasting, the differences between testing and temptation can be seen clearly. From Satan’s perspective, the experience was intended as temptation (an inducement to sin0, but for Jesus the experience was a test, which He passed without the least wavering. Despite Satan’s cleaver use of God’s Word, he did not succeed even slightly in penetrating Jesus’ impregnability to sin. God allows trials to come into our lives not to solicit (tempt) believers to sin, but to move them to greater endurance. James 1:13 reminds us that, “… For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” God and evil exist in two distinct realms that never meet. He has no vulnerability to evil and is utterly impregnable to it onslaughts. He is aware of evil but untouched by it, like a sunbeam shining on a dump is untouched by the trash. This means that we must learn the truth of God’s Word so that we can stand against the temptations of Satan, the World, and our flesh. Choose the freedom of the Word of God, and we will have the power to … READ MORE