Day 4 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Day 4 - James 1:12-15
SCRIPTURE:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
LESSON:
One of the toughest things to overcome in this life is the constant barrage of temptations that comes our way. Particularly on day four of a fast you might be feeling tempted to give in and to indulge your flesh! But James tells us that a person who endures temptation is “blessed.”
So let's deal with two separate issues today. First, how do I endure temptation? Second, what does James mean when he uses the word blessed? What is he referring to?
First, how do I endure temptation? In verse thirteen James identifies another problem most people have. They think temptation is coming from one source when actually it is coming from another. James makes it clear that God doesn’t tempt us… instead our flesh draws us away from God and to our own desires. You have to identify where temptation is coming from first! Then you can begin the process of overcoming it. Imagine a general sending all his troops to the north of town when the enemy is actually massing its forces south of the town. It just doesn’t work! No victory can be won unless we identify where the attack is actually coming from. So ask yourself, “What fleshly desire is at work in my heart?” Maybe it’s lust, pride, greed, a need for approval, or a self-centeredness that pervades all your interactions with others. Regardless of your particular situation, these are generally the areas where the attack comes from. Today, take some time to reflect on where your temptations come from.
Galatians tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. This particular fruit happens when we walk in step with the Spirit. You see, when we allow ourselves to be controlled by our “own desires” we lose self-control and instead fall to temptation. So instead of allowing yourself to lean into your own flesh, lean into the Spirit of God.
Second, what does James mean when he uses the word “blessed?” Well just as we have seen earlier in the chapter, all of the things that you go through can make you into a better person. God doesn’t usually remove us from temptation. (Trust me I’ve begged him to do so many times over.) Instead, just like with the various “trials” that we face, we should face temptation with joy and with certainty that God has given us the victory! Don’t hang out with temptation but instead see it for what it is. Something that will destroy you if you embrace it. Instead of embracing your fleshly desires, embrace Jesus and his Spirit and you will find what it means to be truly “blessed!”
One of the toughest things to overcome in this life is the constant barrage of temptations that comes our way. Particularly on day four of a fast you might be feeling tempted to give in and to indulge your flesh! But James tells us that a person who endures temptation is “blessed.”
So let's deal with two separate issues today. First, how do I endure temptation? Second, what does James mean when he uses the word blessed? What is he referring to?
First, how do I endure temptation? In verse thirteen James identifies another problem most people have. They think temptation is coming from one source when actually it is coming from another. James makes it clear that God doesn’t tempt us… instead our flesh draws us away from God and to our own desires. You have to identify where temptation is coming from first! Then you can begin the process of overcoming it. Imagine a general sending all his troops to the north of town when the enemy is actually massing its forces south of the town. It just doesn’t work! No victory can be won unless we identify where the attack is actually coming from. So ask yourself, “What fleshly desire is at work in my heart?” Maybe it’s lust, pride, greed, a need for approval, or a self-centeredness that pervades all your interactions with others. Regardless of your particular situation, these are generally the areas where the attack comes from. Today, take some time to reflect on where your temptations come from.
Galatians tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. This particular fruit happens when we walk in step with the Spirit. You see, when we allow ourselves to be controlled by our “own desires” we lose self-control and instead fall to temptation. So instead of allowing yourself to lean into your own flesh, lean into the Spirit of God.
Second, what does James mean when he uses the word “blessed?” Well just as we have seen earlier in the chapter, all of the things that you go through can make you into a better person. God doesn’t usually remove us from temptation. (Trust me I’ve begged him to do so many times over.) Instead, just like with the various “trials” that we face, we should face temptation with joy and with certainty that God has given us the victory! Don’t hang out with temptation but instead see it for what it is. Something that will destroy you if you embrace it. Instead of embracing your fleshly desires, embrace Jesus and his Spirit and you will find what it means to be truly “blessed!”
PRAYER:
God, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one! You are worthy of all the glory and power and honor, AMEN!
God, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one! You are worthy of all the glory and power and honor, AMEN!
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2025
Posted in temptation, blessing, trials, faith, victory, desire
Posted in temptation, blessing, trials, faith, victory, desire
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Welcome - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 1 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 2 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 3 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 4 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 5 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 6 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 7 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 8 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 9 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 10 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 11 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting Day 12 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 13 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 14 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 15 - 21 Days of Prayer & FastingDay 16 - 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
No Comments