James 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

REFLECT

People often ask the question: why does God allow temptation? The original Greek word for temptation means to test, to try and to prove. Biblically speaking it means to put a person to test for the purpose of deepening his or her qualities of character. Oswald Chambers said,' God can, in one single moment, make a heart pure, but not even God can in a single moment give a person character'.

Character would not be precious if it could be acquired without a struggle. D.L.Moody says ' Character is what we are the dark'. Reputation is what others think of us - character is what we are on the inside. Let us face our temptations head on and we grow. And as we grow we develop character.

ACT

Share your struggles and temptations with someone.