God Never Tempts Series

God Never Tempts

James 1:12-18

May 28, 2023

Have you heard the folk story of Jose Rivera? Jose Rivera was a bandit in southern Texas in the late 1800's. He stole money and jewelry, and the people hired a Texas ranger to track him down, arrest him and return what he stole.

Rivera fled to Mexico where the ranger finally found him at a small cantina.

After learning where he was, the ranger tapped Rivera on his shoulder and asked -- “Are you Jose Rivera?” Rivera mumbled, “No hablo ingles!”

So the ranger found someone who could translate for him. Through the interpreter, the ranger warned Rivera that he had 2 choices; tell him where he hid the money; and he could walk away a free man . . . or if he doesn’t tell him, he won’t walk out of the cantina. The young man translated the ultimatum.

Rivera pulled himself together and said to the interpreter, “Tell him to go out of the bar, turn right at the 2nd street, walk 600 paces and you will find a rock formation. The money is hidden under the rocks. You will find all the jewelry and most of the money I have taken.”

The young man translating, turned to the ranger, swallowed ... paused . . . swallowed again - - - and finally said, “Jose Rivera says . . . Jose Rivera says . . . ‘Go ahead and shoot!’” Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God.

I don’t know if this is a true story. But it’s rather true of life. Temptation has a way of grabbing hold of us, even when we’re not looking for it. And maybe, especially when we’re not looking for it and think we’ve got that area in our lives beat. That’s part of our focus this morning as we continue looking at practical wisdom from James.

Last week we began looking at the first verses from James. After greeting God’s people, he focused on the trials we all go through in life, which can be painful, disconcerting, frustrating and produce an overall angst in life. Yet James exhorts us to persevere, because when we do, we will grow and be more complete, as we mature into the person God has called us to be.

Again, nobody goes through trials excited about them, but we can still experience the joy and power of the Lord because of who He is in our lives. That’s where we started and verse 12 is really a continuation, and an ending to this first section as James wrote - - - -

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. - James 1:12

Remember that word steadfast means someone who is constant, never wavering, just as God isn’t wavering and fickle in His love for us, the person who is steadfast throughout their trials, will receive the crown of life . . . and get this and this is cool from God . . . .

God has promised this to you. Those who receive the crown of life are those who love God. That’s the requirement! It’s not by your works, it’s by the love you have for God. And by the way, God does not break His promises!

Now, James moves on, still talking about trials, but he has another point for us to grasp. He tells us - - - -

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

15 Then desire when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

WOW! That’s so powerful and so true. Let’s break this apart . . .

Firstly, the word used for temptation in the Greek is a negative word in this sense. It’s not like we saw last week where God tests us and the goal is for you to pass the test. Temptation does not come from God and it’s goal is to lead you to evil. The Greek word for evil can be defined as a morally rotten character.

That’s the purpose of the temptation and that’s never, never, never the goal or plan from God. God’s goal is to build you up! To see you succeed as you pass His testing. Failure is not an option in God’s kingdom.

Notice that James tells us what we don’t want to hear. And it’s so true. Sometimes you ever wonder how they got this wisdom 2000 years ago? We walk into temptation because we’re lured and enticed by WHO? By our own desire!