When we come to James 1:13 we could be forgiven for thinking that James is changing subjects. He has finished talking about trials. Now he wants to speak about temptations. I want you to know that this is not the case.
THE SOURCE AND COURSE OF TEMPTATION (James 1:13-18)
You see the Greek word translated “trials” in vrs 2 is exactly the same word that is found in vrs 13. But now it is translated temptation in the NIV. When you stop to think about it temptations and trials are inseparably linked. All trials have in them an element of temptation and all temptations have in them an element of trial. Every difficult circumstance that enters a believer’s life can either strengthen him if he obeys God or become an opportunity to evil if the believer chooses to doubt God. Here is a person at work. They are having a difficult time with their boss. They feel that their efforts are not appreciated. They are undergoing a trial. How do they respond to that trial? Well the sinful nature immediately protests. “If my boss does not appreciate the work I do I will not go the extra mile. My work will be the bare minimum. And I will let everyone know what I think of my boss.” However this person could remind themselves of God’s word; whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men. Therefore they will work just as well as before. They also realise that the scriptures forbid dissension and so they restrain their tongues. This path leads to maturity in Christ and fullness of life. Can you see that every trial is a temptation and every temptation contains an element of trial? In testing us, God is aiming at our development. In tempting us Satan is aiming at our ultimate disgrace.
- THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATION (Vrs 13,14)
In vrs 13 we read; When tempted no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. Since God is absolutely holy he cannot be tempted and since he is absolutely good He will not deliberately entice us or trip us up. If God is not to blame for our temptations who is? The next place we look is other people. In Genesis 3 Adam blamed Eve for his predicament and Eve blamed the serpent. There is no doubt that Satan and his demons contribute very powerfully to temptation but James does not say anything about this. He puts the responsibility where it ultimately resides. In vrs 14 he says; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. No power on earth, Satan included, can make you want to be wicked. You have to want it for yourself. Our own sinful hearts that have been corrupted by the fall. As Jeremiah 17:9 says; the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. At the end of the day we succumb to temptation and sin because we want to.
THE COURSE OF TEMPTATION (Vrs 14, 15)
This is outlined for us in vrs 14, 15. The Greek word for dragged away in vrs 14 is a hunting term. It was used of the process used to lure a wild animal out of its place of safety into the open where it could be captured or shot. The Greek word for enticed is a fishing term and was used to describe a fish that was attracted to some bait, changing its course, closing its mouth on the juicy bait only to find itself dangling from the concealed hook. There are at least four stages in the course that temptation takes. The first stage is when the bait is dropped. Trout fishermen have a number of flies in his box. Each of them is attractive and designed to lure trout to take a bite. The really good fly fishers know which fly to use. Now I want to suggest to you this morning that the devil is a master fisherman. We have already seen that we are ultimately responsible for succumbing to temptation. We sin because we want to but the enemy of our souls knows our particular weakness and he knows what bait to drop before us. Some of us are vulnerable with our attitude to money, others are weak in the sexual area, or likely to twist the truth to get us out of a tight spot, or have a problem with pride. Satan is a fisherman who knows his fish and the flies he dangles before us are calculated to appeal to our evil desires. And he is always at it. As some of the old preachers used to say; “even on the brink of Jordan I find Satan nibbling at my heels.” The second stage in the course of temptation is found in vrs 14. Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Our inner desire is attracted to the bait that is offered. Our evil desires are aroused and we want to sin. We are dragged out from our place of security and we start to swim around the bait getting closer and closer. There is one name for those who linger to try and reason with temptation: VICTIM!! The third stage in the course of temptation is found in vrs 15; then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. We sin when having flirted with the bait long enough we move in and take a bite. It is at this point that the will joins the desire in yielding to the temptation. Temptation gives way to actual sin. The fourth stage in this course that temptation takes is – death. Sin results in tragic consequences. We end up dangling from a hook and in the frying pan. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin and sin when it is full grown gives birth to death. Once the process is set in motion, it takes over. If we entertain those desires which conceive sin, we have admitted death and disintegration into our experience. We have seen that there are four steps in this process. At which step are we to intervening action. There is not much we can do about step 1. Martin Luther once said; “you can’t stop the birds flying over your head, but you can stop them nesting in your hair.” Our intervention must come at step 2. In 1 Timothy 6:10, 11 Paul gives his young lieutenant Timothy the following counsel. Some people eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all of this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.