Crown of Life

James 1:12-15 ESV
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 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. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Temptation is by no means easy to go through. When Christ went through temptation, we know that He suffered (Heb 2:18). Unlike us, Christ did not buckle under that suffering of temptation (Heb 4:15). So how do we remain steadfast under trial? Is that crown of life attainable or are we destined to fail every we are faced with temptation?

If you read the Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 you probably already know the answer. It is Jesus who gets us through temptation. Every now and again God will have to provide a way around temptation (1 Cor 10:13), but I firmly believe that God wants us to get THROUGH temptation. And the only way THROUGH is IN CHRIST. We need to put on the MIND OF CHRIST instead of opening a door to the desires that tempt us (Rom 13:14). And the best way to do that is to know His mind through His word (John 1:1; Ps 119:11).