As someone who handles hazardous materials each week, I encounter a wide range of warning signs. Whether it’s an image of a gas mask, a skull and cross bones or radioactivity, these send the message to proceed with caution. Meanwhile, if you have the chance to do a lot of traveling, you’ll see a number of warnings designed to serve as a disclaimer to prevent owners from being liable. Such is the case of doors labeled with “enter at your own risk.”
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one, James 1:13.
The early brother of Jesus provides the spiritual version of enter at your own risk. The context of the passage above and below is referring to the door leading into temptation. James’ disclaimer comes in the statement above. When you are tempted by someone or something, it isn’t God’s fault as free will gives all humans beings the choice to embrace temptation or flee. Therefore, enter at your own spiritual risk.
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death, James 1:14-15.
The final portion of this passage explains what happens while inside temptation. James compares this to a fishing trip. However, instead of using a first century net, the enemy uses bait to lure curious spectators behind the Devil’s Door. The hungrier souls become, the more appealing forbidden fruit becomes. If you decide to enter temptation at your own risk today, beware of fleshly desires, lust and earthly passions that will intensity. Turn back before it’s too late.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 