Last Thursday, I taught on the anatomy of choice and desire, and the focus scripture was taken from James 1:14-15. This passage of scripture outlines the process of the conception of sin and how sin goes from thought to action. Below are the phases I discussed during the live broadcast.
James 1:14-15 shows the stages from desire leading to the consequence of following through with the desire.
Desire > Thought > Action > Consequence
Phase 1 The Lure (Desire)– James 1:14 says, “But every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed”. The Greek word for enticed is deleazō, which is a fishing term for bait. A fishing bait looks like a reward but hides the hook.
Phase 2 The Conception (Thought)– James 1:15 says, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin”. During the broadcast, I shared practical examples of what the conception looks like. The key here is to be aware of your triggers and put in place the necessary boundaries in place to stop the conception of sin being put into action. The conception stage looks like you, for example, knowing you are in heat but still going on that date and inviting your date back to your home. Here you start to rationalise the wrongdoing.
Phase 3 The Birth (Action)– James 1:15 says “It bringeth forth sin”- this is where your thoughts have moved from your mind to the external world by way of physical action.
Phase 4 The Full-Grown Result (Consequence) – “And sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.
This is the consequence of the sinful act. This can be spiritual death, death to a relationship, distance from the presence of God, opportunities, etc.
Through further studies, I taught on psychological frameworks, coupled with the scriptures, to overcome the cycle of unbridled desire and sin. This is known as the top-down approach
Step 1– Exposure of Truth- you have to name the temptation and desire that is trying to overpower you. In Psalm 139:23-24, David asks God to search and know his heart and his thoughts. We have to commit our hearts and minds to God.
Step 2– Replacement (Reframing) – Set your minds on things above, according to Colossians 3:2. Don’t suppress the desire, face it and acknowledge it and find something else to take your focus off the desire. Remember last week’s teaching: a feeling only lasts for 90 seconds; it is what you do with those 90 seconds that determines whether the feeling is prolonged or dissipates.
Step 3– Seek support- this step shows the importance of community and accountability. James 5:16 says, “confess your faults one to another”. This is what takes the power away from the temptation the enemy is trying to keep a hold over you.
This is just a brief outline of the cycle of sin and ways for you to overcome unyielding desires using the scriptures, and also paying attention to your personal decisions. Decisions decide. Dahna-Esther also prayed for those who are dealing with guilt and shame as a result of dealing with the cycle of sin.
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me the stages of how sin is conceived and when acted upon, the consequences it carries. Father, I ask You to keep me from falling according to Jude 1 v 24. Father, I ask, release your grace to empower me to say no and to flee from the temptations of the enemy. Empower me in the Holy Ghost to avoid the traps of the enemy. Father, cast down every thought and imagination trying to conceive sin in my mind that can then lead to my actions. Lord wash me and cleanse me and create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me in Jesus Name, I pray, amen.
Watch the replay to Anatomy of Choice and Desire– https://bit.ly/4aEHoiq
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