Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14–15)

Sinning is a process. It begins with temptation. Once our evil-inclined reasoning (Genesis 8:21) justifies what temptation calls us to do, we give in. And, as James observes, death is the conclusion of what began as a reasoned surrender into temptation.

We saw it first in Eden. The temptation: Eat the fruit of the forbidden tree.

This invitation ran contrary to a directive of God to not eat of the tree (Genesis 2:17). The temptation presents the inducement to sin (Matthew 4:1; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

To gain traction, temptation must maneuver around God’s word. Notice how the devil did that:

1. Challenge the clarity of the command (Genesis 3:1) by suggesting it sounds so wrong that it surely must have been misunderstood.
2. Deny consequences for violating the command (Genesis 3:4).
3. Suggest the command only holds you back from knowledge, pleasure, freedom, etc. (Genesis 3:5).

Now consider Eve’s perspective:

1. The deed seemed doable. The fruit looked appealing and safe (Genesis 3:6).
2. It promised something desirable: wisdom like God’s.
3. She reasoned it was worth a try, and she wanted peer support to do it.

We see this mental gymnastics to justify sinning all the time in life and family issues.

“Terminate the pregnancy” is the temptation. Abortion advocates then raise doubt. “The Bible doesn’t even mention abortion” is one argument. “Many churches are OK with abortion” is another argument.

Then comes the denial: “People have had abortions for years and lead happy lives.”

Finally comes a new reasoning that favors abortion to protect a scholarship, preserve one’s freedom, or view it as a good thing to avoid bringing an unwanted child into the world too soon.

With this new way of thinking, life develops new priorities that leave no room for God. With God out of the picture, abortion can be presented as appealing. A new mother chooses abortion as “the best thing” for her at this time, and she seeks out others who think like her to garner support for the decision.

The formula never changed. We just need to pay attention.