January 15, 2024

James 1:13b

Written by:
Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy

READ:

James 1:13b

13b For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.


EXHORTATION:

Though our trials are permitted by God, He is not the author of the temptation of sin that may come simultaneously with those trials. No temptation of sin is designed or discharged by God. As James says, “for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man”.

God will never cajole and coax us to sin. God will never influence us to sin by infusing evil thoughts, inclinations, or desires. Nothing God does is evil; His ways with His people will never lead them to sin. The tempter is the devil (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:3, 13-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). God is holy, and He leads only into the paths of righteousness. As David unhesitatingly confessed, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

Let none think that God, through the trials, lays upon one an unavoidable compulsion to sin. The trials that God permits in one’s life are never to compel one to sin, but to sanctify and strengthen that one. All that God does is good and perfect (cf. James 1:16, 17). Therefore, do not yield to the temptations of sin, saying, “God has tempted me!” It is very impious of anyone to make such a dreadful assertion.

God’s design in all our sufferings is to purge us from all impurities. He rebukes and chastises us so that we may produce the fruit of righteousness. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). The apostle Peter tells us that the ultimate design of our trials is to lead us to God’s glory – “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). God influences us only unto righteousness while Satan, the world and our own lust tempt us with sin unto unrighteousness.

The Lord never tempts us with sin. On the contrary, He is ever ready to protect and deliver us from sin’s temptation. So the Lord taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). God will aid every one of His children who yearns to be delivered from evil temptations. Did not Jesus say, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Matthew 6:13; cf. Mark 14:38)?

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Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church adheres to the system of faith commonly known as the “Reformed Faith” as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
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