FROM VAN TO WORSE

James 1:13-18
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.

Steve looked both ways. Good, the coast is clear. He began to push the van out of the motel parking lot. Just a bit farther and he would be able to hop in and hotwire the starter.

On reaching his chosen destination, Steve jumped in the front seat and put the vehicle in park. Now he began trying to start the stolen van by "alternative" means.

That's when the police showed up.

You guessed it, this young man in New Zealand was arrested and booked on attempted auto theft. What you don't know is the reason the 18-year-old thief was trying to steal the wheels: He was due to appear in court on another charge. Yep, Steve had decided to go see the judge by using a stolen van! It appears he was not the brightest criminal in the world and his devious drive took him from bad to worse.

The downward course we see in this story reminds me of something James wrote about in his little book. In a passage where he argues that God could never tempt us to commit evil, the apostle unveils the perfect 3-step plan to spiritual (and perhaps physical) disaster:

1. Sinful desire.
2. Temptation.
3. Death (James 1:14-15).

Note that he didn't blame any external force (person, environment, material thing) as the reason people take the 1-2-3 plunge into sin and spiritual darkness. No, he pointed out what you and I know so well--it's our own sinful desire that leads us to fall for temptation.

In this politically correct world, it's easy to acquire the habit of blaming other people for our failures. We point fingers at
parents and boyfriends and girlfriends and bad friends and bosses as the cause of our problems. But we're only fooling ourselves.

Admit it when your sin nature has driven you down the wrong path. Confess it to God and to others--acknowledging your guilt. If you keep blaming others, you'll only go from bad to worse. --Tom Felten


DESTINATION POINTS

* Whom or what have I been blaming for my sins?
* Why is it so important for me to recognize my own responsibility for my sin?

LINKS:
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0710

bottom line: Sin begins within.

soul journey