Where do temptations come from?

Where do temptations come from?

"Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires." (Jas.1.14 NLT)

Won't you want to know where temptation comes from? An easy answer would be the tempter, the one called the devil or Satan if you like. But that is not what the apostle James says in this passage. 

He says that temptation comes from our own evil desire. Another translation says: "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. (Jas.1.14 MSB)

So our evil desire is where temptation comes from. Not from the devil, not from satan but our own evil desire. 

To deal with this, we need to keep away from evil. Little wonder Jesus taught us to pray "deliver us from evil". As long as we are in this world, evil will come but we have to guard against it. Proverbs 4:24 comes to mind. 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (Prov.4.23 NLT)

You need to keep watch over your eye gate - the things you see, your ear gate - the things you hear, your mind gate - your emotions, your feelings, etc. The devil will suggest but because you are guarding, before it becomes a threat, you would have taken care of it

Keep your mind constantly renewed and think constantly on these things "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil.4.7 -8)

Good day, 
Have a great day today, 
EmmA (aka Mr. Lift) 
@Liftemma

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