James 1:13-15

There Is One Kind Of Testing That Is Not To Be Seen As Of God And That Is The Temptation To Sin. That Springs From The Lusts Of The Human Heart And Leads To Death (James 1:13).

James now moves from the trials of life to the idea of a particular trial, that of temptation to sin. It would seem that some were blaming their temptations to sin, and even their sinfulness, on God, so he assures them that it is not God Who tempts men to sin, but men who are tempted because of what they are. They are led astray by their own sinful desires. And they are to be aware that this kind of testing does not lead to the crown of life, but to the dust of death (James 1:15).

Analysis.

A Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no man (James 1:13).

B But each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed (James 1:14).

C Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin (James 1:15 a).

D And the sin, when it is fullgrown (‘has come to completeness'), brings forth death (James 1:15 b).

Note how this is presented in the form of a sequence. First what is not the cause of temptation (it is not God who causes man to be tempted), then what is the cause of temptation (temptation is caused by man's own desires and lusts), then the consequence of temptation, (man's lust ‘conceives' and like a pregnant woman ‘bears' sin), then the consequences of that sin (sin comes to completeness and, again like a pregnant woman, ‘brings forth' death).