Focal Passage: James 1:13-18
To be tempted to sin is the universal experience of humanity, both for Christians and non-Christians.
The difference between the two is that the Christian has the awareness and the tools to overcome a variety of temptations, the unbeliever does not. Let’s do an autopsy on temptation through James 1:13-18 so that we might see how it works in order to conquer those temptations that come our way.
Temptation does not come from God (James 1:13). Let’s be clear, neither the devil nor God make us sin. When we are undergoing a trial or a temptation that could lead us into sin we cannot blame anyone but ourselves when we do sin. The God who hates sin would never cause us to sin. Just as God cannot be tempted by evil, He Himself will not tempt us to sin.
Temptation and our sin nature (James 1:14-15). James makes an argument as to how temptation works that is helpful.
Shrum
First, temptation is individual — “each person” is tempted (v. 14a). You don’t sin for me, I don’t sin for you. Each is accountable. Second, a temptation comes our way that has as its goal that we might be “drawn away and enticed” (v. 14b). Third, that temptation becomes a lure to our already sinful nature – temptations connect with and our “own evil desire” (v. 14c). Fourth, when we take the bait of temptation something is born, conceived — our sinful nature connects with a particular temptation and a particular sin is conceived (v. 15a). Fifth, this sin in its infancy begins to grow (v. 15b). And sixth, once it grows, it produces nothing but death (v. 15c). This chain of events happens every time we succumb to a temptation.
We fail to remember that we are sinners by nature (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:12). We are also sinners by choice as well. Our nature produces wicked choices that produces death. We are not neutral observers. You might even say that we do not have free will in that our will is not untainted by sin. We are not innocent bystanders. There are none good (Romans 3:10-18).
Yes, we freely choose what our wills are bound to so that if our nature is sinful we will freely choose our sin. This is why we need the new birth. We must be born again (John 3:3) so that we might have a new nature that is able to freely choose against sin and for righteousness.
Temptation and God’s goodness (James 1:16-18). So, if God doesn’t tempt us, what does God do for us? First, He gives us Himself “including the word of truth” (v. 16). We are not to be deceived into thinking that God is against us as we face temptation. Second, God gives us every “good and perfect gift” we need in order to face life (v. 17a).
Third, we can rest assured that God doesn’t change — “the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (v. 17b). Finally, by His sovereign choice He alone gives “us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (v. 18).
In other words, God has given us a new nature in Jesus Christ that is empowered by the Holy Spirit to deal with and overcome sinful temptations. Praise be to His name. B&R
