February 13, 2024
Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Jas 1:12-18
More on perseverance. But this time, not as much perseverance in getting what we want and need, like wisdom, faith and strength, but perseverance in escape from temptation to do what we shouldn’t. Yes, we all have desires for comfort, for acceptance, for food, for vices (whatever they may be), but this is where asceticism comes in. This is why we have periods of fasting and abstinence, like Lent, in order to strengthen our discipline of restraint against those desires that can lead us into sin. James knew well the outcome of allowing our temptations to get the better of us. And when we think about the eternal death he speaks of, it makes the eternal life that God offers us so, so much better. And this is the goal of our perseverance! LIFE in love with God!
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Whispers to the Wind 