Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
So far in our study of the Epistle of James we have learned about the way our Lord brings tests into our lives in order to strengthen our faith and to promote our love for Him. And because such trials come from the hand of our Father and are specifically designed for our good, we can “count it all joy” when our faith is put to the test (James 1:2-4). The blessed outcome that the Lord desires for us in such experiences is Christian maturity, and especially the display of “steadfastness” (v. 4).
But, we have also learned that times of testing are also opportunities for temptation, and this is the subject to which James seamlessly turns in verses 12-16. Trials and temptations are indeed related. With every trying experience that we are called upon to joyfully endure there is also the opportunity for disobedience and sin. And this fact is the main concern that James expresses in these verses.
To be more precise, James is concerned about what we “say” when we are “tempted” (v. 13). That is, what conclusions do we draw about the source of our temptations? We might naturally think that since the Lord does, in fact, bring specific tests into our lives for the promotion of holiness and maturity, He also tempts us as well. But as you can see in verse 13, such a conclusion is flatly forbidden: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God.’”
So, what do we make of this? How do we understand the relationship between trials and temptations? And where do temptations originate? And how does all of this fit in with God’s sovereignty over our lives? Is God in control of all things or not? And if so, how can James conclude that He never tempts us?
On this coming Lord’s Day we will open the Word and wrestle with each of these very important issues.
I love you all so much,
Mike