My Own Worst Enemy

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James 1:13-15
13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire(X) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and(Y) sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 4:1-4
1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions[a] are(A) at war within you?[b] 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask(B) wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4(C) You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?(D) Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Wow, 5 chapters from the book of James. I don’t know much about James, but it seems like he is a very direct and to the point kind of apostle. He likes to be concise and he uses very clear illustrations with minimal verbatim. The first thing that caught my eye in today’s devotion also deeply convicted my heart. James is saying that everyone is tempted by their own desires, not by God. I think very often, I’ve been guilty of asking God, “Why are You doing this to me? Why don’t You remove this temptation?” But really, God isn’t sending the temptation my way, but rather, through His Holy Spirit He is trying to give me the power to master these desires. However, I have to choose to master my own desires. I really need to look at temptation from this perspective. It should be a joy to overcome temptation, not a chore, as if I was given a pop quiz and now I need to pass it in order to please God. When temptation arises, I need to recognize that this is a desire that I have in my heart, I need to have ownership of it, then master it so that it doesn’t lead me to sin and death! As James says, it is my passions that are at war within me. As a Christian, it is my passion for Jesus against my passion for my self. It is a truthful statement to say “All mankind is selfish.” It is only through Jesus that I can die to myself and live for my King and for others.

Oh Lord, what a deeply convicting devotion this morning. I feel like I’ve been allowing many things to be excuses for me to not take this time with You. I am so sorry, Jesus, for placing You on the side as I “get through” this busy season. No more. I will not place You on the side any longer. I repent. Lord, I have been very selfish. Maybe the most selfish. Lord, the desires of my heart are not good. My passions for my own gain keep overriding my passion for You. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, that I may overcome my worldly desires. Lord, I know You are the Truth. I know You are the only way to life. Help me to not be foolish. Save me from my own stupidity! Lord, redeem me once again. I’m so sorry for falling so far from Your design. Lead me back, Lord. I love You and I am committed to Your best. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.