Temptation's Origin

If you don't see the depravity of man scripturally, you will not understand the significance of Calvary. In the hymn, Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted, the writer says, Ye who think of sin but lightly, nor suppose the evil great; here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate. JC Ryle said that a right knowledge of sin lies at the root of true Christianity. James starts out with the blessings of temptations, or testings. But this word is different--this one refers to an enticement to evil. Temptation to evil can never be attributed to God, so James tells us never to say we are tempted by God. Though we struggle in the flesh, we are to mortify our members on this earth, and realize that we cannot blame our sins on Satan or the allure of the world. There is a progression, or a downward spiral, to sin; first it is inward, then it manifests itself. Because of this, we must mortify sin in our hearts, our thoughts, and our imaginations, before it is out of control. We tend to put too much confidence in ourselves and in our flesh, where dwells no good thing. Romans 6 is an excellent passage telling us of the power of sin and the help and grace we find in our God. The battle over sin in our lives is won or lost in our hearts.