0020Tom Lowe
1/25/2021
Jesus Cares
Lesson 9. Repudiation of the divine source (James 1:13, KJV)
TEXT (James 1:13, KJV)
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
INTRODUCTION
The focus of the chapter turns from trials to temptation. A temptation is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a wrong way, out of the will of God. Is it wrong to want to pass an algebra exam? Of course not, but if you must cheat to pass it, then you have sinned. The temptation to cheat is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing (passing the exam.) in the wrong way.
COMMENTARY
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13)
James's words give believers the courage to face difficult choices and to choose the way of Christ.
James is clear about two things:
1) Temptation does not come from God.
2) God is not tempted by evil, nor does He tempt any man.
God is a loving God who wants to help His children, not harm them. God is not the source of temptation but the source of every good and perfect gift. Salvation is not the least of His gifts. God gives new life using the message of truth. This brings believers to a choice: Either sin can be the master (as implied in verses12-16), or the Creator can be the master (as expected in verses 17-18).
God will never deliberately cause a person to sin because that would go against His nature, and it would be against His purpose of molding His creation into His holy image. Yet God sometimes places His people in adverse circumstances to build a godly character (Gen 22:1, 12). But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of nonsense, though His fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame for sin, either upon their make-up or upon their situation in the world or pretend that they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if He were the author of sin. Afflictions sent by God are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of evil and temptations is in our hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be entirely charged to us.
James is making the point that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer's life can either strengthen him if he obeys God and remains confident in His care or becomes a solicitation to evil if the believer instead chooses to doubt God and disobey His Word. God cannot be tempted. God has no capacity for evil or vulnerability (Hab. 1:13). Neither tempteth he any man: God intends for trials to occur, and in them He allows temptation to happen, but He has promised not to allow more than believers can endure and never leave them without a way to escape (1 Cor. 10:13). They decide whether to take the escape God provides or to give in to temptation (2 Sm. 24:1).
