Bible Verse of The Day – 9-20-21

James 1:13-15 (NKJV) 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.

Some might look at this scripture and just brush over it, not giving it much thought. It seems pretty straight forward, after all.

But look more closely. In addition to telling us why we repeatedly fall into temptation, it also tells us something else very critical; God does not tempt us.

This single truth absolutely shatters the idea or suggestion that God made us in a way that causes us to habitually sin, become addicted to certain types of sin, or to live lifestyles that contradict His word.

Let me explain.

Some may say that God created them in a certain way, with certain desires or drives.

And since this is so, He must have also created the desire in them, for example, to consume extreme amounts of alcohol which led to them become an alcoholic.

The same could be said for drug addicts, addicts to porn, sex, lying, stealing, etc.

We wrote a teaching series recently on various sins that the Bible says will prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. In that series, we outlined the sins listed in the verses we were teaching on (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

We didn’t make up this list. It was taken directly from scripture. We also didn’t make up the end result of being excluded from inheriting the kingdom of God. It was taken from scripture.

God’s word is truth, plain and simple.

In response to day 6 of that series, which dealt with homosexuality, someone asked us about people who believe that God made homosexuals that way; born with an attraction to the same sex.

They asked a legitimate question. And the answer is in the verse above; God does not tempt us.

This solidly refutes the idea that God made them that way.

There could be any number of reasons why this attraction happens; emotional trauma, or abuse of some type. Or maybe it stems from a thought or a temptation that they entertained that grew into a full-blown lust that they now can’t escape.

Let’s be clear. This is not to throw stones at people attracted to those of the same sex. It is to offer some insight and to speak truth that can lead to freedom from this kind of bondage.

As mentioned above, this can also apply to people who repeatedly lie (liars), steal (thieves), abuse drugs (addicts) and alcohol (alcoholics) or those who engage in sex outside of marriage (fornicators).

The sin itself does not matter. The source of that sin does.

So, we need to get understanding in this area. Once we do, it will change the way we look at sin; even those “lifestyle sins” that can destroy us and those around us.

God is faithful to deliver us if we are willing to ask Him to.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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