James 1:14-15. It says, “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…” I meditated on these verses for several days. 

Embryo thoughts about a temptation quickly escalate into full-blown sin. Nip the thought in the bud,  making your next thought focused on the Lord’s holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 says, “…be holy in all your conduct.” Our conduct is outward evidence of our inner thought life.

Temptations to sin are deceptively hidden within our own secret desires. There could be no enticement otherwise. What were you addicted to or still are addicted? If negativism – beware that there is no buried offense.

Mind addictions: worry, fear, anxiety, self-hatred, complaining, negativity, etc. It all starts with one thought that comes into our mind unbidden. Don’t take the bait.

James 1:7-8 says, “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Dialoguing with doubt allows fear and worry to creep in. 

Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry…” Worry is an effective tool of the enemy to distract us. Worry is preoccupation with things that cause anxiety, stress, and emotional fatigue.

We cannot change anything from our past, nor do we know what will take place in the next moment. To be preoccupied with either is futile emotional energy. Futile means fruitless, empty, unproductive, ineffectual, and worthless.

Abraham did not waver in unbelief. Romans 4:20 Amplified says, “…but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.” The moment you start to doubt, praise the Lord for His faithfulness. It will block the power of satan’s temptation.

James 1:5 bids us to ask the Lord when we need wisdom to navigate through our trials. Verse 6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

‘Doubting nothing’ were the exact words spoken to Peter in Acts 10:20. It means in the sense of hesitating, having misgivings, being divided in decision making, or wavering between hope and fear. 

One who is resolute is immovable, fully persuaded, purpose-driven, unchanging, no compromise, steadfast, and intentional. Daniel purposed in his heart long before he was ever placed in a compromising situation.

On the other hand, Eve took the bait when the serpent placed doubt in front of her. He questioned what God had said. When she considered his question she fell right into his trap. Doubting is a mental roller coaster ~ don’t take the hook.

Our impatience is from our screaming flesh. Here is why we struggle. The Holy Spirit is resisting our flesh and our flesh is resisting the Holy Spirit. Our fleshly reactions are chaff that cling to our wheat. Our trials are like a sieve that separates the chaff from the grain. 

Amos 9:9 was about Israel being sifted. It says, “…as grain is sifted in a sieve; yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.” Matthew 17:20 likens our faith as the size of a mustard seed. 

Romans 12:3 says that we each have a measure of faith. Peter charged his readers to add to their faith. My dad called them inward graces. Peter repeatedly wrote about the knowledge of God ~ essential.

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask Him.

We are either adding to our faith, or we are subtracting from it. Pursuing fleshly lusts weakens our faith. Daily reading God’s word, taking it to heart, and allowing it to bring course correction strengthens our faith.

Romans 10:17 says, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” However James adds to this. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

What we do after we hear the word, determines how we endure our trials ~ with patience or impatience. John 14:21 says that the Lord will reveal Himself to those who keep His word. He is with us in our crucible, just like He was with the three Hebrews young men in the fiery furnace. Isaiah 43:2 says, “…When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Only our fleshly chaff is consumed.

2 Peter 1:5 says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” Diligence is a character quality that is developed during our trials. We must diligently guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23. We must diligently listen to the Lord. Isaiah 55:3. Diligent to not let bitter roots spring up. Hebrews 12:15

2 Peter 1:5-7 recorded what we are to add: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Verse 8 says, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Verse 9 says, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” That was the problem with the children of Israel. They were impatient and kept looking back. They forgot He delivered them from slavery to the Egyptians.

I am presently reading through Exodus, meditating on James 1, and memorizing 2 Peter 1. The word ‘lack’ has appeared several times. What does it mean? The Holy Spirit compares spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13.

James 1:4 says that we need to patiently endure our trials so that the Lord is able to do all that He has designed to do through our trial. The children of Israel had God’s amazing provision throughout their wilderness journey. They spent a lot of time complaining.

Trials are designed to conform us to His image. That takes time. He uses the pressures, hardships, adversities, and temptations to sin as His conforming tools. Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

Impatience is a work of our flesh. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit ~ only evident through those who are submitted to the Holy Spirit.

All traps had a catch that releases once the prey steps into it. There are no warning signs that a temptation is ahead. Satan’s temptations to sin are intentional and deceptively hidden. They always target our faith. That is why we need to keep behind our door shield of faith ~ quenching every fiery dart. 

Fiery darts are lies that seek to pierce our mind and penetrate into our heart. This is another reason why we must bring every thought captive. Especially thoughts against ourselves, others, or our circumstances.

We may be unaware that we are ensnared. A deceived persona does not know that they are deceived. That is why we need accountability through fellowship with other believers. One telltale sign is complaining. In Numbers 11:1 we read that complaining displeases the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God…” Gratitude is a form of worship.

Paul counted his blessings. If you need a refresher on his multiple trial-trails look up 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 he had asked the Lord to remove a trial. The Lord introduced him to His way through. Verse 9 says, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

James 1:2 in the J. B. Phillips says, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” Think for a moment how you welcome a friend into your home that you haven’t seen in a long time.

We count our trials as joy because they are not purpose-less but purpose-full. Every trial tests our faith, probing deep to expose anything hidden. The dross remains hidden from us, but is like a buried landmine.