James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

I’ve wanted to do a devotional about temptation for some weeks now. As I study it, I discover in context to biblical applications, I was not clear as to its meaning and character.

The International Standards Bible Encyclopedia makes this comment, “all temptation is equally innocent and virtuous.” This is the premise that Jesus was tempted in all ways yet remained without sin. To be tempted is not a sin.

Can you tempt yourself?

This is the difficulty I must confess. God does not tempt, so therefore we should not tempt anyone. It is not temptation to place a stumbling block in your brother’s way. Your sin behavior in the sight of your brother is not temptation. Yet I wonder if perhaps by seeing my brothers sinning, I might not tempt myself to “get away with it” also.

So often we look to blame others for temptations. Those things they place on television these days are so unhealthy spiritually. Really? Isn’t that only a temptation if you tune in to watch? Is the thought to tune in a temptation because it only exists in your mind?

Ah there’s the rub!

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I’ve been at this for decades and I am not a good at this as I would like to think I am. I am however much better about it than when I first began.

Philippians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

So having come this far, I have been on the right path. All I have to do is stay in the Way. We’ll get there.

Job 7:20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

When I start to feel like I cannot do anything right, I turn to Job. When I feel like I am in a place where I cannot speak to anyone who will understand, I turn to Job. When I start feeling sorry for myself, I turn to Job. When I feel like no one understands where I am, I turn to Job.

So many words are written about light, and hope and mercy and grace, they do not get to be the balm of healing until it is known where to apply them. Job is good for that. If you ever wondered why God should allow Satan to do all that was done to Job, it is for those moments when we need someone to understand. Job’s been there, he knows what we are going through.

It doesn’t seem to matter how dark the hour in this life we experience, we can look and find that Job is there, Job understands. Job has the ability to make you feel like you are not alone and that there is hope, not just in a promise, not just in an intellectual exercise, but as a spiritual partner to help walk you out of the darkness and back into the light, be he has been there and knows the way out.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

These words are those which belong to my Lord Jesus Christ, but I find in my friend Job these same sentiments.

Job 42:8b my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept:

Job’s job was to confess the utter darkness that we can find in ourselves.