By David Phillips
One of the points we’ll observe in the sermon this morning is the prevalence of the idea that “I don’t fall away, everyone else does.” I know that’s a vague generality, an oversimplification, but the fact is that it is always easier to see the failures of others than to recognize our own. The dying tree illustration in last week’s bulletin article probably found some folks overlooking their own bad spiritual health to point a finger at another who needs to be restored. Part of what we’re talking about in today’s sermon is the great danger we ALL face. None of us is so strong that we don’t need to be constantly guarding against going astray.
James 1:14-15 expresses the reality in very simple terms: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
It is that process of being drawn away…and enticed that should really cause some concern. The ESV renders that phrase, lured and enticed. NASB has it as carried away and enticed. The Amplified Bible adds the term baited. I think we get the picture. The drawing away is a very subtle process, one that happens often without much notice. Interestingly, the word draw occurs again in James 2:6 where James says Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? The drawing of this verse is a forceful dragging. That of our text on temptation (1:14) is a subtle luring away.
Residing in our earthly self is the capacity for and the propensity toward lust. Often incorrectly associated only with sexual cravings, lust is actually defined as strong desire. If the desire is for that which is inconsistent with the will of God, it is sinful desire. James says it is those sinful, strong desires, or lust, that work in an underhanded, inconspicuous way to lure or draw us away from righteousness of heart and life. That drawing away is a process which he says conceives and gives birth to sin. As we sometimes say, “one thing leads to another.” Another drink, another look, another step, another foul word, another wasted dollar, another temper tantrum, another…
Remember, Jesus said in Luke 9:23, If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. It is a normal human tendency to indulge our weaknesses and selfish desires. A significant part of self-denial is the matter of saying no to sinful desire, and living a pure life.
One final point that should be observed is James’ inspired use of the phrase every man (person) in 1:14. We all have the fleshly component to us that is susceptible to temptation. None who lives on earth lives without being tempted. But we all, with the help God promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13, have the ability to resist. James will go on to say in chapter 4, verse 7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from yои.
No matter who we are, any of us can be drawn away, if we lean on self instead of the Savior.