Quote:
Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson
...does God allow the circumstances that HE KNOWS will ultimately lead that person to sin?
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I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Let's face it: We put
ourselves in circumstances that lead to sin, most of the time. God doesn't put us there, and He won't override our human will to be there. However, I Corinthians tells us that God is
faithful, and He won't allow us to be tempted above our ability, but will provide us a
way of escape with the temptation.
Do you think that God will not allow you to put yourself in compromising situations? Let's say, for example, that your weakness is stealing. Why would you apply for a job at a bank, and then expect God to stop you from taking money? It's still your choice to sin, and you've purposely put yourself in the vicinity of your biggest vice. There are times when temptation happens on its own, but often it's our own bad choices that led us there. Not necessarily
sinful choices initially, but bad ones just the same.
James 1:12 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.
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:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
P.S. Don't pursue a lifestyle. Pursue God. When you find yourself tempted, go talk to God. I don't care if it's in the middle of a crowded room and you're the star attraction and everyone's going to ask you where you're going or wonder where you went. You have to drag your SELF away and put your SELF in God's capable hands.
It's a dangerous thing when we start laying the blame for our own guilt at someone else's feet, especially God's. We alone are guilty, we alone are responsible, and we will answer for our deeds.
Not everyone can live right on just a few minutes of prayer a day, Jermyn. Some people need to turn to God constantly in order to keep themselves in line. I'm one of them. God knows I have the stinkiest attitude and spirit if I don't lay it at His feet every day. I have a hot temper that I could claim I inherited, but the truth is, it's MY anger, my flesh, and what I do with it determines whether I have to go repent to God and other people for
sin. Is it a sin to be angry? Nope. But I can sure sin BECAUSE I'm angry. Is it a sin to find women attractive? No, but you can sure let that natural attraction lead you by your nose into sin if you let your mind or body take you there. Is it a sin to want nice things in your life? No, but its a sin to be greedy and let the love of money guide your decisions. Is it a sin to want other people to like you? No, but its a sin to lie to them so they'll think better of you than they might otherwise. We have natural human feelings and emotions that aren't sinful, but we can let them lead us and guide us into sin by making choices that "feed" the flesh.
Ultimately, YOU are in control. Your sins are not the fault of anyone else, anymore than my sins are your fault.
Man is the one who brought sin into the world. God has spent a lot of time and effort since then giving him a way to redeem himself, because He loves us SO much He doesn't want our stupid choices to lead us to eternal damnation. He gives us a way out--both in the short term(moment of temptation) AND the long term(after we've already sinned)--it's up to us to take it.