Cultivating Victimhood

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:13-15 (ESV)
 
We seem to struggle with personal responsibility. We do not sin because we are forced to sin. We sin because we choose to sin. We are born into sin and have choices to make in various life contexts. Choice is something God has given all people and no person can make it so I cannot choose.
 
If someone tells me to give them all my money or take a beating, I should not claim that they gave me no choice. I could give the money, or I could resist and take the beating. I may not enjoy either of the outcomes, but I always had a choice.
 
Pretending that I have no choices due to circumstances I did not create cultivates a victim mentality and a nation of victims usually is ruled by despots. When I sin, it is because I made poor choices. The truth sets me free.
 



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