James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

It’s a fact…sin is fun. If it weren’t, there wouldn’t be much temptation to do it. But the pleasures of sin are deceptive. It is never what it appears and always more than it initially seems. Sin will always take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay, and cost you more than you were ever willing to pay. It is like bait on a hook. Its purpose is to lure you with promises it never intends to deliver. It is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. We are usually so entranced, so dazzled by what is being offered, we fail to consider what lies behind the ‘curtain’; we fail to consider what the long term effects will be. The deal looks so great we fail to read the ‘fine print’ until it is too late. While God is always faithful and just to forgive and show mercy, that forgiveness and mercy does not wipe away the consequences of making the wrong choice. Sin is a choice, not an accident. It is our own desires that lead us to chase the ‘lollipop’. There is never a right time to choose to do the wrong thing.

Pray: Lord Jesus, you had to come into this world and die because of sin. You had to pay the price because you knew that I would fall, often again and again, giving in to the temptations and enticement of sin. But I am not helpless any longer, but now have the Holy Spirit to help me in my battle against sin. I know you hate sin, and for that reason if no other I will always try and choose the right thing. In your holy name I pray – Amen