I’ve often come across people who sound very religious. They make statements like:

• “God is putting me through a test to see whether I’ll trust Him that He is my Provider and will give me a good job” – when the person who makes this statement is not actively looking for a job.

• “Dear Lord, I pray that you’ll bless me with good health” – when the person who makes this prayer is not eating healthily and not exercising.

• “I don’t know why God allows me to fail my exam when I’ve already surrender my studies to Him” – when the person who makes this statement did not put in effort in His studies.

It is time to take up our own responsibility, stop deceiving ourselves and stop pushing all responsibility to God. This is why James 1:13-16 say “ 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. “

It is only when we are taking up personal responsibility to pursue righteousness and flee from sin then can we appropriate God’s blessing as in James 1:17-18 “ 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.“