Deadly Conception

The New Testament book of James explains the progression of sin in this way: each person is tempted by his own evil desire, this desire drags away and entices the person, and "after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:14-15).

In a previous post I mentioned that the determining factor in whether a desire is good or evil is the object of that desire. According to James' theology, the evil desire tempts a person and becomes a controlling factor ("drags away, entices"). In what way is a person "dragged away" by desire? Does this occur at the moment when the sin is actualized? For example, when coveting (evil desire) leads to theft (evil action) or when lust (evil desire) leads to sexual immorality (evil action) is this the moment James is describing?

Notice though, that the enticement by the evil desire conceives (remember it takes two to get pregnant) and sin is born. So, to trace our steps back to the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we find this progression at work. Eve, is enticed, she acts on her "evil desire" and forfeits her immortality. Her husband, Adam, does likewise and takes on mortality.

In this way, we inherit the sin of our forefathers in that each one of us is born mortal. And our ancestors bestow to us the struggle of bridging humanity and spirituality in order to enter a new dimension.

This truth does not negate free will, rather, it puts it in its place. We are free to choose, but immortality is given to none of us because of the birth of sin. Our bodies will give out and return to dust.

God does not promise to grant our physical bodies eternal life. We are promised new bodies, which are different in chemistry and design of the bodies we now wear which clothe our souls.

Having conquered our physical bodies, sin know turns its attention to our immortal souls. This is the battle which brings evil and good to the same battlefield. This is the warfare witnessed at the death of Christ. However, while the battle rages the resurrection of Jesus bears testimony that the outcome is already decided. When Jesus rose from the dead, the claims of sin over our souls were rendered impotent. The fear of the power of this ugly monster of sin was dealt a death blow.

Such theology is comforting in future-tense, but we are left with the struggle James describes so vividly. Entertaining evil desires takes us down a road bordered by enticement and ripe for the most deadly conception of them all. To walk down that road is to find destruction (unless it comes upon you first).

The present-tense theology that helps us the most is found within the framework of shalom, the Hebrew word for "peace." It is not the absence of conflict. Instead, it is focused on the whole of the person: at peace with self, others, and most importantly, God.

In this Christmas season, the seasonal hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, expresses such theology:

God rest ye merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!