The Perfect Things

I've been meditating on this scripture for the past few days: James 1: 13-18

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Like every human being I have fallen to temptation, often the same one, Satan hasn't any new tricks. The thing is, that when something entices me...the lusts of  my flesh will desire things that my rational mind knows aren't beneficial. Still I was convinced that this thing, was somehow still good, because it felt good, looked good and tasted good, at least initially.
I think the key part of this scripture is verse 16 "Don't be deceived my dear brothers and sisters (NIV), every good and perfect gift is from above" Psalms 84:11 says "...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly".

Stop focusing on the thing that you don't/can't have, and instead realize that all God wants to give you is the good. And if it were good you would have it. Some of the things we want are clearly damaging to our bodies, minds, and souls. "Don't be deceived, God only has the good for you". The small things that my flesh desire, lead to sin and ultimately death. Death = separation from God in the here and now, along with the hereafter.
So every time I'm tempted to please my flesh, I have to renew my mind, reminding myself that its not desirable anyway. Why should anyone focus on the one forbidden tree, and ignore the thousands that were freely given?
God IS Good. Allow no one to tell you otherwise.

Peace
Denell.