Context No. 2774 of 4322 · James

James 1:9-18: in context

9Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; 10and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. 11For the sun arises with the scorching wind and withers the grass; and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So the rich man will also fade away in his pursuits. 12Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. 13Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 15Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death. 16Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation nor turning shadow. 18Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

James sets the poor believer and the rich one side by side and turns the usual ranking upside down. The lowly brother should glory in his high standing before God; the rich one in his humbling, because he will fade like a wildflower scorched by the sun. Then a promise: blessed is the one who endures testing, for he will receive the crown of life.

He follows it with a careful correction about where trouble comes from. Let no one say, I am tempted by God, for God tempts no one. Temptation is homegrown, born when my own desire drags me off and entices me, and desire, once it conceives, gives birth to sin, and sin to death. But every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights, who does not shift or change. James draws a sharp line: the pull toward evil starts in me, while all good comes down from an unchanging God. We are quick to reverse it, blaming God for the pull and taking credit for the good.

When I am tempted, do I trace the pull honestly to my own desire, or quietly blame my circumstances, or even God?

Sources

James 1:13: "God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one."
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
1 Corinthians 10:13: "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able."