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"Let no one say when he is tempted..."

Text: James 1:13

THE SUBJECT OF “TESTING”

James was wise to re-visit and to write further on the subject of “Testing”. In his earlier advice, he wrote to encourage his readers to be positive when they face testing. He was correct in what he wrote.

THE SOURCE OF TESTING

However, he did not elaborate on the subject of “The Source of Testing”. In the following text, James addressed this subject.

“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.”
James 1:13

1. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God'”

a) James was obviously addressing a problem when he made this statement.

b) Some possible background to bear in mind:

i) Some may assume that God is the Source of all temptation/testing.

ii) Some may say, out of foolish pride, that they are chosen to be tempted by God.

iii) Some may have misgivings about God if they followed this trend of thought.

c) The fact is:

i) That we cannot assume that God is automatically the Person behind our testing.

ii) That it would be wrong and presumptuous to make this declaration.

iii) That the Devil is spoken of as the one can test us (Cf. Job, Peter, Paul).

2. “For God cannot be tempted by evil”

a) Some would even think that God can be tempted.

b) Some think that God could be tempted by that which is of evil origins.

c) This is simply the nature of the Being of God; He transcends the idea of being tested by anything.

3. “Nor does He Himself tempt anyone”

a) This statement must be read within this particular context.

b) Or this statement would be at odds with other texts.

i) Where God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1).

ii) Where God tested Israel (Exodus 16:4).

c) There are only a few special instances where God puts people to the test.

d) The Scriptures are not contradictory. James was writing to correct false assumptions.