Such examples from the Old Covenant serve as warnings for us, as Paul says, “…to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1 Cor. 10:6). Despite all of the advantages the Israelites had, despite their “baptism” and their spiritual food and drink, “God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered over the desert” (vv. 1-5). Paul cautions, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (v. 12). He goes on to reassure us that temptation cannot overwhelm us, for God limits its power and always provides a way of escape (v. 13). Nevertheless, we certainly can choose to sin and ignore the escape route.

James 1:14-16 says each person who sins is dragged away by his or her own evil desire and enticed. James then speaks of a process of gestation and growth that takes place (unless we by God’s power kill the sin growing in our hearts). Lust conceives and gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown gives birth to death. That’s death, not just punishment, and I believe James is referring to spiritual death, not just physical mortality. In the very next verse, he says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear children.” The deception is that we tell ourselves we can sin and get away with it. The Bible warns on nearly every page that we cannot.