Temptation Vs. Testing
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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:13-15
God doesn’t tempt us – the devil does. God tests us to see if our faith is genuine. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires. When we think about those desires, they can give birth to sin, and sin brings forth spiritual death. Testing brings fruit. Temptation brings death. Testing brings perseverance, character, and hope (James 1:3). Giving into temptation weakens our faith, ruins our witness, and leaves us hopeless. Be strong today. Turn from sin. Flee temptation, and you will become strong, steady, and usable.
— Michelle Randall