“Would You Recognize Temptation Before It Hooks You?” November 23
A good fisherman doesn’t throw just anything into the water.
He chooses bait designed to appeal to the fish he hopes to catch.
Temptation can work much the same way.
James tells us that we are drawn away and enticed by our own desires.
The bait may come from outside us, but something inside us wants what is being offered.
And that’s where the danger begins.
Sometimes the bait is obviously sinful.
But sometimes it looks surprisingly innocent—even good.
A godly spouse.
Respect.
Obedient children.
Financial security.
A little relief from stress.
None of those things is necessarily wrong to desire.
But what happens when a good desire becomes something we believe we must have?
How can we tell when we’re no longer simply wanting something—but beginning to take the bait?
And could there already be a hook hidden in something you’ve been entertaining?
James shows us the process of sin so we don’t have to be ignorant of how it works.
The question is:
Would we recognize it before we’re reeled in?
