We may be critical of young men and women who are intimate outside of marriage and conceive a child. We click our tongues and make comments about their ignorance. We say they have no concept of what it will cost them emotionally, physically and financially to raise a child.
In our grieving over other people' folly we need to remember James parable of sin being like conceiving a child. Once we are obsessed with a sin, we will eventually act on it, and as James puts it, the desire gives birth to sin.
Eventually that "baby sin" becomes a full blown rebellion against God and will lead to spiritual death (James 1:13-15). James says, "Don't deceive yourself". This will happen every time you dwell on sin."
The secret to avoid sin is to become intimate with the one who is the giver of righteousness, God. Do not keep thinking about the temptation. Bring your every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Focus on God and his overwhelming grace to provide all you need to live righteously (2 Peter 1:3).
