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<v SPEAKER_00>When temptation gets the better of us, our first instinct is to look for someone to blame.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The situation, the other person, even God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We hide, we explain, we point anywhere but at the desire underneath it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In James 1, 13 through 15, he traces it honestly back to the source.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.

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<v SPEAKER_00>James walks the whole chain backward.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sin doesn't start with the act, it starts with a desire we keep feeding in the dark.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And there's freedom in that because if the root is a desire, it's something God can actually meet and heal the moment we stop hiding it and bring it into the light.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let's begin by thanking God that we can bring anything to him without being ashamed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Thank him that he is completely pure, that there is no darkness in him to hide from.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And thank him that in Jesus you are already made right with him, so you can be honest about what's still being healed.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Now, let the Holy Spirit search your heart for a moment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ask him to bring up the desire underneath the temptation that keeps tripping you up, what you actually reach for in a weak moment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Name it to God out loud or in the quiet, instead of hiding it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And ask him to go to the root and turn that desire back toward himself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Nothing left to blame, nothing left to hide.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Quietly tell him, I'm not hiding this anymore.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Meet me at the root and heal it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We give you what we've been hiding, and we trust you to cover us with forgiveness and grace.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.