11.19.2014 New Testament: Jam 1.13–16

To read the Bible in a year, read James 1 on November 19, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

What does the Lord want for us? Does He not want us to live in holiness and to do everything that we can to turn from sin? How then can anyone claim that He is the one tempting us?

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren (Jam 1.13–16). 

You cannot tempt God to do evil, therefore, He would not tempt anyone to do evil. No, we tempt ourselves when we draw our attention away from Him and put it upon that which we desire. Do not deceive yourself into believing that you are innocent and that God is the one doing it.