During the last two weeks we have been talking about testing; testing that God sends our way and testing He allows at times in our lives. Today’s verses speak about temptation; the temptation that comes our way when we are going through trials and tribulations. But, be careful not to confuse the two. So many people do, and often say that God is tempting them in some way. But these verses are noticeably clear. 

No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. (James 1:13-16)

Temptation never comes out of the blue. It may feel like that sometimes but in reality, there is a process. It begins subtly and builds in strength over time. But make no mistake, there is a process and there is a source behind every temptation, that is what I want to talk to you about today. So, what do we need to know about the Process and Source of temptation? 

Temptation is a Reality (v 13)

James says it is not a matter of if but when. We all at some point in our life are going to be tempted. Being tempted is not a sin in and of itself. Jesus was tempted in the desert, (Matthew 4) He was not a sinner. But some people dwell on temptation and feel guilty because they are tempted. This could happen because of a hyper consequence or something else. The reality is that it is always going to be in front of us. You could be driving down a road you have never been before and up pops a billboard or some other sinful distraction. You didn’t ask for that did you? The fact that we are going to be tempted means we are living in a fallen world of evil and sin. It is a reality for everyone. But who is responsible for temptation? 

Someone is always Responsible for temptation (v 12)

Who provides temptation? Some might say the person who provided the billboard. They may have had a part in it but that is not the true source. Our modern world plays the blame game (parents/society/others). The environment we live in could play a part too, but do you see how we are just playing the blame game here. Where does it stop?

The OT says that the soul who sins is the soul who dies. You and I are guilty for our own sin ultimately. But is there someone behind this?

The Bible says Satan is sometimes. 

Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8) 

Satan wants to use temptation for our bad, but God uses testing for our good. Can God use temptation for our good though? Yes! 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Be careful because God is not the author of temptation. There is a difference of God working through our temptation and God being our temptation. That is a distortion of the Truth. How do we know that there was a distortion in James original audience? Because he said, “some of you are saying God is tempting you.” But this is impossible! God is too holy to be tempted. He cannot be tempted. Just know that there is nothing in His nature that would lead Him to be attracted to sin. Scripture is clear. Nothing God does is wrong.

The other source of our temptation lies in our own lives. Verse 16 says, “do not be deceived.” Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful about all. We may give the devil a little more credit than he deserves. Most of the time it is more our choices. The devil is not omnipresent and not omnipotent. He is an angel. Which means one place at one time. God is not going to share His omnipresence with anyone. 

Revelation 12:10 says Satan stands before God day and night accusing the brethren. If he spends that much time before God, he does not have much time to camp out with us. But he does have a vast army (Revelation 12:4). So maybe sometimes we should own up to our own sin and admit we wanted it. Just make sure we never pass along blame to the devil that should be ours.