Read James 1:13-15
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your 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 1:13-15)
The noun ‘trial’ (Greek peirasmos) and the participle verb ‘tempted’ (Greek peirazo) in 1:13 share a common root. Previously we have been told that trials are a blessing. Now we are told that trials may bring temptation with them. Christian parents, whose only daughter has been raped, may be tempted to say “we will never forgive that man” and so they live the rest of their life in a state of unforgiveness and bitterness. The young man, whose parents have just been imprisoned because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and who has been dismissed from his job because he is a Christian is tempted to deny Christ and return to his former religion. These are real life situations but we do well to remember that: “no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God cannot be tempted, because God in His very nature is holy, there is nothing in Him for sin to appeal to. Also God never tempts anyone.
We see someone or something that produces an evil desire in us – and so sin has been conceived. If we pursue this situation there is a state of pregnancy and the temptation grows larger. Then we commit the sinful act and the sin has given birth to death.
Unfortunately there is still so much sin in us. James is not saying that because we sin we lose our salvation. “James’ intention is that we should take the holiness of God seriously, realize the extremity of danger in a life of sin and turn from sin to follow Christ.” (George Stulac).
Help us, O Lord, to find the way out when we are tempted.
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
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