Thankfulness: a Weapon Against Temptation
James 1:17 is a commonly-quoted verse, and one that often comes to my mind, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
But as wonderful a truth as this is, it wasn’t intended to stand alone. The Sunday School class I attend at my church has been doing a study on temptation and how to fight it, and we have looked at quite a few verses in James 1. At one point, my eye rested on the underlined verse 17, and I suddenly saw it in its intended context: the context of fighting against sin.
To get the full picture, you need to read all of James 1, but since that would be too long for this post, here is just the immediate context:
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which 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. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”(vv.12-17)
Do you see what a difference that context makes? The truth is still there, and still could appropriately be taken alone, yet the context puts it in a whole new perspective.
Why does it matter that every good and perfect gift come from God? Because we will be tempted, and must choose to say no to sin and yes to God.
To put it another way, in order to fight temptation, we need to remember the character of God. When Satan spoke to Eve in Genesis 3, what did he try to get Eve to believe?
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (3:4-5)
This, along with his earlier question, were meant to make Eve doubt God’s character. Satan wanted her to think that God might not be as good or just or wise as He appeared—and that was what led her to consider disobedience to God’s one command.
For you and I also, temptation often involves the questioning of some aspect of God’s character. A stray thought flies in and settles down to roost, or someone outside of the situation makes a comment, and before we know it, we are questioning—asking those “wrong questions” I wrote about in an earlier post. But I have found that the best way to regain a correct perspective of Who God is often involves humbling myself to thank Him for His gifts.
And this placing of thankfulness within the context of fighting sin is not at all unique within the pages of Scripture. Take a look at this passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (vv.14-22)
There is a connection between thankfulness to God and our daily life in Christ. Here again is another passage that links the two:
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
If we are walking closely with the Lord, thankfulness to the Lord will naturally flow out of our hearts. But if we are allowing Satan to push us into doubt of God’s character, thankfulness will require a step of humility.
As we in America prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember that we serve the Giver of all good and perfect gifts! It can be easy to get caught up in the details and preparations and do as the Israelites at Mount Sinai,
“They soon forgat His works; they waited not for His counsel.” (Psalm 106:13)
The Israelites didn’t just fall into temptation in Exodus 32, their impatience had them rushing headlong to take matters into their own hands. Not trusting the God who had just brought them out of Egypt with miracle after miracle, whose voice they had actually heard themselves, they made a golden calf, as Psalm 106 puts it,
“Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red Sea.” (vv.20-22)
What an insult, to exchange the omnipotent, eternal, transcendent God for the likeness of a farm animal! And yet, when you and I give in to ingratitude, we, too are exchanging the reality of our perfect God for a flawed image of God—one of our own making in accordance with our distrust or inability to understand what God is doing.
As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, remember the wondrous works of God, the great things He has done for you, and choose to fight the temptations that arise with a heart centered on thankfulness to God for His good and perfect gifts!
“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:22