Today’s Encouragement is James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
By his own desire –
As this passage describes, a thought occurs to us, our own desire- more money, more happiness, more love, more! This begins when we desire ‘something else’… something other than what we have. Now if that desire is for good things, more room for the growing family, freedom from an addiction, or a closer relationship with God, these are positive desires. The negative are all too common, numerous, and not worthy of focus.
Yet how do we respond to our own desires?
First recognize the nature of the desire. Does this honor God? This is a very simple test to determine our motivation. The answer will be a clear yes, to you or anyone else, if it truly does honor Him. If you must develop a justification, an argument of how this desire honors God… chances are good that you’re working too hard to make it seem like your selfish desire is a godly one.
Secondly, make a choice. We each choose daily, what we will do with our own desires… will we lay them at His feet in prayer, surrendering our desires to Him, or will we chase our own desires, till it leads to our death?
Friends our loving Father enjoys blessing His children with good things, things which help us become more like Jesus. Lay every desire at His feet.
Lord help us, your beloved children to surrender everything, all our desires to You, allowing You to guide our lives, rather than ourselves. You know what is best for us. Thank You for loving and guiding us.
Here’s my Heart Lord
Casting Crowns
Today’s Encouragement 