He brought us forth by the word of truth, so we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. – James 1:18

To overcome temptation, the third and final element we must focus on is God’s plan. James 1:18 refers to believers as the “first fruits” among God’s creatures. First fruits are of utmost value. In the Old Testament, the first fruits refer to the tithe to bring to the Lord. The first 10 percent of what was harvested went to Him.

Giving the first fruits to God demonstrates His priority because He receives the best portion. Here, God says in His Word that we are the first fruits of His creation. You are His first fruits. Nothing God ever made is more important to Him than His saints, His people—you!

God has mighty plans for you, and you shouldn’t let the devil persuade you otherwise. To believe the devil’s lies is to live beneath what God has in store for you. If you want your actions to change, you need to believe the truth that you are special to God. That will impact the way you live and the decisions you make. You will want to please and obey Him. You will discover the power to live out destiny God has ordained for you.

Check out more from Tony Evans @ tonyevans.org

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



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