"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:13-15,21)
Don't Dwell on It
God does not lure us to sin, because He is Holy. Temptation is conceived when the mind dwells on its unconscionable thoughts. First let me say that there is nothing wrong with thinking any kind of thought. All of our thoughts become active behaviors. The good the bad, and the ugly. It's the dwelling on the unconscionable thoughts that may lead one to do some unconscionable things. I say unconscionable because no one has to be tempted to do good. But dwelling on wicked scheming plotting thoughts, those thoughts have the potential to render one spiritually powerless to not give into them. This is why we must train our minds. The scriptures tell us in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This tells us that before we are drawn away by our maladaptive unconscionable thoughts, we can rebuke them, replace them, and choose not to dwell on them causing us to sin.
Thank God, He Will See Us Through
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1Corinthians 10:13). The devil is always going to try and thwart the will of God through temptation, however he already tried that with Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Oh yeah, the devil tried it and he failed. Thankfully, God made a way of escape. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17). He did it in order that, once we accept this gift, we receive power. God's mighty Holy power "which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). There is no body greater than Jesus Christ. He is the Way... (John 14:6).
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).
