James 1:13—Temptation
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. James 1:13
James draws a line in the sand: “Don’t even think your temptation is from God; don’t let those words be uttered out of your mouth!”
The word “tempted” here [Let no one say when he is tempted] is the Greek word peirazō (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G3985&t=KJV ).
This word has a number of definitions, but in this verse, according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (also found at the above link), it means “to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin…hence, according to the context: to solicit to sin, to tempt” (emphasis added).
Let’s think about what James is saying by looking at the different scenarios presented by this definition.
- When your virtue is tested, don’t say it’s from God.
- When your character is tested, don’t say it’s from God.
- Whenever you are enticed to sin, solicited to sin, or tempted, it’s not from God.
Have you ever wondered Why does God allow me to be tempted? Please recognize this fact: God never sends enticement, solicitation, or temptation. But then why doesn’t He stop it? Are you implying that because you are tempted, you have no choice but to give in to it unless God blocks it in the first place? If this is true, and believers are helpless in the face of temptation, then Christ’s death on the cross was meaningless. However, His death and resurrection was the most revolutionary event in history, and the grace and power you need to thwart and/or overcome every temptation, enticement, solicitation, or test of your character have been abundantly provided for you in Christ.
Bottom line: God expects YOU to overcome. He expects ME to overcome. He’s given us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness (see 2 Peter 1:3), and we have a lifetime to learn how to draw upon the grace and power He’s provided for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
…for God cannot be tempted by evil…
I love to think about the things God can’t do. He cannot lie (see Hebrews 6:18 and Numbers 23:19). He cannot change (see Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8). And He cannot be tempted by evil. When I think of our omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient God, I am awed by the things He cannot do and what these limitations reveal about His character.
The God you serve cannot be tempted by evil. It just isn’t happening.
…and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
He is good, through and through. He cannot be tempted by evil, and He will not tempt you. If you are tempted, enticed, solicited, or your character or virtue is tested, God’s not in it, and He’s not behind the scene, authorizing it to take place.
What He has authorized is this: Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials [or temptations], because the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4).
And here’s one more thing God has authorized: No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Next time you are tempted, tested, enticed, or solicited to follow a fleshly route, know that it is not God messing with you, trying to see what you are made of. He doesn’t do that! Instead, realize that He is on your side and will be faithful to you to provide the way of escape. Look to Him for it.
Expect that the grace and power you need to overcome will be provided as you obey Him and endure.
Dorothy