Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
“GOD blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that GOD has promised to those who love HIM.” ~ James 1:12
The crown of life is like the victory wreath given to winning athletes. – “All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25 – GOD’s crown of life is not glory and honor here on earth but the reward of eternal life – living with GOD forever. The way to be in GOD’s winners’ circle is by loving HIM and staying faithful even under pressure. At times we must give up something good in order to do what GOD wants. Each person’s special duties determine the discipline and denial that he or she must accept. Without a goal, discipline is nothing more than self-punishment. With the goal of pleasing GOD, our denial seems like nothing compared to the eternal, imperishable reward that will be ours.
13 “And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, ‘GOD is tempting me.’ GOD is never tempted to do wrong, and HE never tempts anyone else either. 14 Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. 15 These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. 16 So do not be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” – James 1:13-16 – Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from GOD. It begins with an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on the thought and allow it to become an action. Like a snowball rolling downhill, sin grows more destructive the more we let it have its way. The best time to stop a temptation is before it is too strong or moving too fast to control.
People who live for GOD often wonder why they still have temptations. Does GOD tempt them? GOD tests people, but HE does not tempt them by trying to seduce them to sin. However, GOD does allow Satan to tempt people in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to GOD for strength and choosing to obey HIS Word. It is easy to blame others and make excuses for evil thoughts and wrong actions. We use excuses such as: 1) It’s the other person’s fault; 2) I could not help it; 3) everybody’s doing it; 4) it was just a mistake; 5) nobody’s perfect; 6) the Devil made me do it; 7) I was pressured into it; 8) I did not know it was wrong; or 9) GOD is tempting me. A person who makes excuses is trying to shift the blame from himself or herself to something or someone else. A Christian, on the other hand, accepts responsibility for his or her wrongs, confesses them, and asks GOD for forgiveness.
Father GOD, we are all sinners and fall short when we rely on our own strength and understanding. Forgive us LORD, when we fail to accept responsibility or even to realize when we fall into temptations and sin. Help us to accept responsibility for our wrong, confess them to YOU, and seek YOUR forgiveness.
Photo: Ouray Ice Park (Ouray, Colorado)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
