It’s easy to point fingers when things go wrong in our life: We think, "It’s their fault," or sometimes we dare to think, "It's God's fault." But James cuts sharply through these excuses, showing us another way to look at our situations.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. [Get ready for a chapter study on the Vince Miller Show]

If you are new here, we are excited to have you. Get your James Scripture Journal now so you can take notes as we study this letter together. Our text today is James 1:13-18:

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  — James 1:13-18

In this section of chapter one, James turns inward. He is no longer talking about external trials but internal temptations. The challenges that derive from our devious desires. And I think James' sexual-fishing metaphor is spot-on. We get lured and enticed by our own desires. We get hooked and then commit adulterous affairs in our hearts. Then, these adulterous expeditions result in sin that we birth. We are on the hook for them, and they kill us and others.

God is not on the hook for temptation. We are. God is good, and every gift he gives is good.

You can't blame the hook when you're the one chasing the bait.

Today, James is challenging us to take responsibility for our temptations. Instead of pointing fingers at others or God, we need to own our desires, hook, line, and sinker. The correct response is not to blame God for our desires but to surrender our desires to Him.

So, what desire has been hooking you lately? Don't skip past this question. Think about it. Identify it. Confess it. Share it [in the comments below]. Surrender it. Pray about it [like we talked about yesterday]. Then, take intentional steps to replace it with God's desires.

Remember, the Father of Lights fills your life with good gifts—so ask him for a heart that desires his very best.

#OwnYourChoices, #GodIsGood, #GuardYourHeart

Ask This:

1. What desires have been hooking you lately and leading you into temptation?
2. How can you surrender your desires to God today?
3. What good gifts has God already provided in your life?
4. How can you replace tempting thoughts with God's truth and promises?

Do This:

Stop blaming God.

Pray This:

Father of Lights, thank You for every good and perfect gift You provide. Help me surrender my desires to You and pursue Your best for my life. Amen.

Play This:

Hooked On A Feeling.