Self Awareness - The Best Defense Against Temptation

(Audio: Spanish)

SUMMARY: James talks about enduring trials and how they can be used by God to bless us and make us more like Christ. He uses the Greek word peirasmos, which can mean test or temptation. He warns not to blame God for temptation, as it is Satan who is the tempter. He also says that each person is tempted by their own lusts and urges, which can lead them to sin. It is important to know oneself and be honest about one's weaknesses and inclinations, as the devil uses these to trap and seduce us. Sometimes God allows these weaknesses to remain in us to teach us war and make us stronger. It is important to seek God's grace and mercy in dealing with our weaknesses and to be pastoral towards others who struggle with their own weaknesses.

God allows us to go through trials and weaknesses to develop our character and learn mercy towards others. We need to be aware of our weaknesses and develop defenses against them. Temptation comes from our own concupiscence, and we need to be careful to not let it conceive and give birth to sin, which ultimately leads to death. Instead, we should focus on filling ourselves with God and his goodness, so that there is no room for the devil to tempt us. God wants us to be virtuous and bring joy to his heart, and he is committed to helping us reach victory over sin through Christ.

God took away the devil's authority over humanity, and in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. We have power over every situation in our lives by using the armor of Christ. We ask God to heal and purify us, and give us a church that reflects the values of His kingdom. May we be innocent and have a posture of holiness like Christ. We praise and bless God. Amen.

We were talking about trials, and how trials, tribulations, life, difficult situations, many times are used by God to bless us, to form us, to create discernment in us, to make us more like Christ, to make us more compassionate, to give us experiences that they give us different dimensions and facets of the God we serve. God uses tests, tests come, they come into the lives of believers, but our faith can transform them into steps for spiritual growth. How nice that sounded. Write it down for me so I don't forget. Yes, yes, they can be ways to grow, to become more like Christ.

So, James there in that Chapter 1, after talking about that, he goes to another place where he talks, in Verse 12, about "enduring trials." Interestingly, the word test, which is the Greek word peirasmos.

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