DRAWN AWAY

We sin, when we are drawn away by our own lust... Lust is the bait, and ensnared by it. Lust appears as a thought tossed into our head by the powers of darkness who have been studying mankind collectively from time eternal, and each of us individually from birth. They know what will entice each of us to sin. When we dwell on the thought, and think or do things that support or enhance the thought, we only add fuel to the fire of lust.

“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; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:13-16) Notice the eight steps outlined in these verses: (1) Tempted: A soliciting thought appears. (2) Drawn Away: Our response fuels the thought, dragging us away. (3) Desire: Lust, strong longing for something.  (4) Enticed: Baited and ensnared by lust, as the will weakens. (5) Conceived: Taken hold of and controlled by lust. (6) Sin: Consummation of desire, missing God’s mark. (7) Fully Grown: Habitual, to bring sin to maturity. (8) Death: Separation from God, the fruit of habitual sin.

All sin is premeditated... a planned event, an informed path willfully traveled. The step from desiring a drink... to sitting in a bar ripe roaring drunk does not happen instantaneously, and there are many steps from seeing an attractive woman to ending up in the back seat of a car with her on some deserted rural road... committing adultery. Ditto the steps from “wanting” to creating idols out of our possessions, our bodies our intellect, our job, or our hobbies. Likewise the steps from “pleasure” to pleasure seeking... lovers of pleasure, are many. Temptations come in many colors, and we will all be tempted. The critical step is step two, Draw Away, how we respond to initial temptation. If we fondle and caress it, focusing our mind and thoughts on our desires... We are Dead Men Walking! But, if we set our mind on things above we can bring the tempting thought into captivity into the obedience of Christ.