When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire 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 and sisters. 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. James 4:13-18
“God may test, but he never tempts. There is no way in which God can be the source of evil or of our misfortunes. On the contrary, He is the source of every good and perfect gift. He is faithful and does not change, and so He can be trusted to accomplish His plan for our good.
Temptations come when we entertain evil desires. These desires lead us to commit sin, that is, acts that dishonor God and lead to death. We need to seek out and destroy the seeds of envy and lust and create a healthy environment in which the various kinds of evil desires cannot thrive.
Some may doubt the faithfulness of God in moments of testing and trial, so James reminds them that God has chosen to give us birth through the word of truth, which means that He has made us His children so that we may be σ kind of first fruits of σll He created. We will be the peak of His creation, as we were in the time before the fall! What a privilege!”
Solomon Andria (Madagascar) in “James” in Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006).
Happy Thanksgiving.
Pause to give thanks for every good and perfect gift from God. And should you find yourself in a time of testing, give thanks all the more as God uses such times to shapes and grow you.
Are you tempted? Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Otherwise God will let you have what you lust after you, and it may lead to your own self-destruction. Giving can free you from that.
Cut off all money, time, energy, and attention to whatever tempts you. Nurture, grow, and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ through giving. Why? Your heart always follows where you give God’s money.
And take time today to give thanks for the gifts of God but do not stop there. Give thanks for God. He’s the greatest gift. Enjoy Him as the first fruits of creation like Adam and Eve enjoyed Him in the Garden of Eden.
Again, Happy Thanksgiving.