Jul
17
It All Began with an Innocent Look
Filed Under Daily Devotions
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 29-31; James 1
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. ~ James 1:15
OBSERVATION:
James is talking about temptation and how temptation comes not from God, but our desires. God does not tempt us, but it is our sinful nature and human desires that lead us into temptation. You’ve got a snowball effect. What may seem like an innocent desire, turns into a sinful action, giving birth to spiritual death.
Look at adultery – David on the rooftop. It all began with a look. If you look long enough, you linger and if you linger long enough, you lust and if you lust…
APPLICATION:
Oh how I’ve lingered on many things. Sometimes I think I’ve lingered too long in a fantasy world with some guy that when I’m face to face with reality, it feels weird. I feel it should be like this thing I created in my mind, but it’s no where near that. I try to catch myself when I linger, or look. I think, “It’s just a look.” but I know what looks can lead to, so I try to force myself not to. I try to put myself in situations where I am not tempted. Lingering is not good for the soul, nor for the heart.
PRAYER:
Thank you Lord, for helping me realize that lingering is not healthy and can lead to heartache. Thanks for all the pain You’ve saved me from. Help me when I am weak and pick me up when I fall.