The Anatomy of Sin's Seduction

To understand how the flesh dupes us, consider James 1:14–15 in light of the principles of deception:

. . . each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James is writing to people trying to excuse their sin much the way Adam and Eve did in the Garden, pinning the blame on God. But James says that the whole guilt of sin lies in the sinner, as he is hoodwinked by the desires of his own flesh. He helps us unmask the con man within by exposing what the flesh wants, and how it goes about getting it from us.

First, the goal the flesh aims at is death (verse 15). What- ever sin pretends, it will end in death. The flesh wants us to believe that the consequences for dallying with sin will only be slight (not as much blessing from God, a cheaper seat in heaven). Knowing this is our first means of arming ourselves against deceit (as knowing that the used-car salesman will do anything to sell you a car helps to protect you from driving home the lemon while he laughs behind your back).   Continue at Alistair Begg,