James 1:12–18 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The people to whom James was writing were evidently having a rough time. Already in the first chapter he addresses this issue of trials and temptations. Some think James was writing about people trying to use persecution as a justification for sin. They may have reasoned, “Things are so hard for me that I should be able to do whatever I want to make my life happier.” This line of thought may have led them to conclude that God was therefore the source of their temptations. Their reasoning went something like this:

• God has sent the trial.
• The trial caused me to be tempted.
• Therefore, God has tempted me to sin.

This kind of reasoning goes back to the Garden of Eden. If you recall, Adam tried to blame his sin on God because he was tempted by “the woman you gave me!”

James sets the record straight. God tempts no one. God does not want anyone to sin. Never has, never will. Instead, He calls us to repent, to turn from our sin, and follow Him and His ways. He knows the horrible consequences sin brings. He wants us to avoid the eternal consequences our sins deserve and did what was necessary to make that happen.

What God did was promise to take care of the problem Himself. He kept that promise by coming down here Himself and paying the penalty our sin deserves. Because He has done this, we have the certainty of forgiveness and life forever with Him. And God asks us to live in a new way because of what He has already done for us.

Temptations to sin will continue to come. They are an ever-present reality in our lives. Jesus knew this, and even included a request for help with temptations that come in the prayer that He taught us. Martin Luther wrote about this in his Small Catechism:

Luther’s explanation of 6^th petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

Jesus won the victory for us and gives it to those who trust in Him. And the same one who saved us promises to be with us and give us the power to overcome temptations as they come.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.