Solid support

You might have seen a version of a common psychology experiment in which small children have a tasty treat put in front of them. Before being left alone, they are told that if they can resist eating it until the adult comes back in the room, they will be rewarded with a bigger and better treat. Most children choose the instant gratification of eating the first treat: temptation is hard to resist!

James encourages us not to imagine God as a psychological researcher or even a strict moral teacher, inflicting the difficulties of temptation on us to teach us a lesson. He points instead to a common enemy, an external source of temptation that God stands wholly against. So when we face temptation ourselves, we find God not on the other side of the battle lines, but firmly in our corner: standing alongside us both to sympathise and to strengthen us.

We are likely to be far more successful than a child left alone with a marshmallow, when we have the loving support of a God who in Christ, both understands and overcomes real temptation.

God of all goodness, thank you that in your Son Jesus, you have faced every temptation that I do, and have overcome them all. Help me to believe that you don’t condemn me for my temptations, but surround me with kindness and strength. Please do that for me today. Amen.