A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:13-15

D4 Believers Should Know That Temptation Is Not From God James 1:13-15

James 1:13-15 WEL Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then, when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and when sin is matured, it brings forth death.

Tempted=

• This is the word πειράζω peirázō. We discussed the noun in James 1:2. The verb is similar and means a test to determine quality and an attempt to do something (Acts (9:26). Another meaning is to get someone to do something illegal, as our passage here and in Matthew 22:18, for instance.

• The context tells us.

◦ There is temptation that comes from our evil desires and lusts, as here.

◦ There is temptation that comes from testing how a person will respond to God’s teaching, as Abraham, for instance. Hebrews 11:17 NLT It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

• God does not tempt us, that is, seduce, to sin, that is, break His laws.

Everyone=

• The Lord Jesus was tempted to sin, but He never had the desire or lust to sin (Hebrews 4:15).

• We are tempted to break God’s laws, too, but it is from our inward desire. Two example:

◦ It is not wrong to eat, yet gluttony is sin (Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:2).

◦ Sex is not wrong, yet sex outside of marriage is wrong.

▪ Hebrews 13:4 NRSV Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

▪ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Drawn away=

• The Greek word is ἐξέλκω exélkō. It means to lure as a hunter does game.

• Manser notes the process of seduction:

◦ A thought planted Genesis 3:2-3

◦ An advantage promised Genesis 3:4-5

◦ Attraction Genesis 3:6

◦ Persistence on the part of the seducer Matthew 4:8-9 See also Genesis 19:9

◦ Yielding Genesis 3:6  

• Sin brings death

◦ Physical (sometimes immediately (Genesis 38:2-10) yet most of the time eventually (Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27)

◦ Spiritual (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Timothy 5:6)

◦ Eternal (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 21:8)

Summary= God does not seduce us to sin. The pattern of seduction is our fleshly desires inflame, grow, act out, and receive punishment. With the grace of God, we can resist temptation.

Questions

• Does God tempt us to sin? Defend your answer.

• Why do we sin?

• What is the process from temptation to death?

• Why does sin bring death?