What kind of person do you want to be?
Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. James 2:17 (BSB).
LET YOUR FAITH ROAR
How to Break Free from the Lure of Sin
Everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 1 John 5:4 (BSB)
The Blame Game
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. James 1:13 (BSB)
The Cycle of Temptation
But each one is tempted when by our own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14–15 (BSB)
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (BSB)
The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. James 1:14 (MSG)
From Desire to Death
After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15 (BSB)
Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. James 1:15 (MSG)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (BSB)
From Deception to Freedom
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (BSB)
1. Don’t Play With Sin
One day, Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.(Judges 16:1, NIV)
Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her. One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside. She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. Genesis 39:10–12 (BSB)
2. Don’t Justify Sin
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. James 1:16 (NIV)
Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. James 1:13 (MSG)
3. Come To Jesus
We have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathises with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness. Hebrews 4:14–16 (TPT)
4. Confess It
If we say we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth. But if we freely admit our sins when His light uncovers them, He will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and He will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8–9 (TPT)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8–9 (NIV)
5. Consider God’s Goodness.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. James 1:16–17 (BSB)
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 (BSB)
6. Know Who You Are
He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession. James 1:18 (NLT)
