“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 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: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
James 1:12-15 KJV
The first part of verse 12 says “Blessed is the man who endureth temptation.” It does not say “Blessed is the man who goes through temptation.” Huge difference here! We all go through temptation, but few endureth, few out last the temptation. Few people stay strong enough to fight the temptation and keep on doing right. God says the man who endures, who stays strong, is blessed.
The next verse tells us that we should never say that we are tempted of God. I like that it says God cannot be tempted with evil. That just shows His perfection and sinless nature. Because He is perfect, He cannot tempt us with evil because He knows no evil.
The progression that temptation makes through verse 14-15 is very interesting. Temptation all starts with lust or a desire. A desire to want to do something wrong, something that goes against God and His Word. When you act upon that lust or desire, it becomes a sin. That sin continues until it is finished and it brings forth death. I believe that sin can cause death physically but also mentally and emotionally. It can bring death to relationships and friendships. It causes pain and sorrow.
Go back to that verse 12 and let us read the first part again, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation…” We now that temptation starts with a lust or a desire. So blessed is the man the doesn’t act upon the lust or desires that he has that comes from this world. Blessed is the man that endures, that stands strong, that obeys the Scripture when temptation comes. Temptation comes to all of us, yet not everyone stands against that temptation. Most decide to act on that lust or desire and they fall into sin and eventually lose their life because of it.
Endure, stand strong, don’t fall into temptation. Set yourself up for success by doing what you are supposed to be doing according to God’s Word.
Counted Faithful 
I find the only way that I can stand against my flesh temptations is to continue to submit to the Lord. Let Him work through me, in me, around me. That is a daily, sometimes minute by minute thing I do.
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