James 1:13

Letters to the Faithful - James 1:13

Berean Standard Bible

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

King James Bible

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

Greek Text:

Μηδεὶς πειραζόμενος λεγέτω ὅτι ἀπὸ Θεοῦ πειράζομαι· ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν, πειράζει δὲ αὐτὸς οὐδένα.

Transliteration:

Mēdeis peirazomenos legetō hoti apo Theou peirazomai; ho gar Theos apeirastos estin kakōn, peirazei de autos oudena.

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When tempted

Temptation is a common experience for all believers, reflecting the universal struggle against sin. The Greek word for "tempted" can also mean "tested," indicating both trials and enticements to sin. In the biblical context, temptation often serves as a test of faith, as seen in the trials of Job or the testing of Abraham. Understanding temptation as a test can help believers see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

no one should say, “God is tempting me.”

This phrase emphasizes personal responsibility in the face of temptation. It reflects the biblical teaching that God is holy and cannot be the source of evil. The Israelites in the wilderness often blamed God for their hardships, but James corrects this misunderstanding. Theologically, this aligns with the nature of God as depicted throughout Scripture, where God is consistently portrayed as righteous and just.

For God cannot be tempted by evil

This statement underscores the absolute holiness and purity of God. Unlike humans, God is not susceptible to evil influences. This is consistent with the portrayal of God in the Old Testament, where His holiness is a central theme, as seen in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:3). The idea that God is beyond temptation assures believers of His unchanging nature and perfect goodness.

nor does He tempt anyone

God's role in the life of believers is to guide and support, not to lead them into sin. This aligns with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His followers to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13). Theologically, this reflects God's desire for His people to pursue righteousness and holiness, as He provides a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's provision and guidance.

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In the piercing clarity of James 1:13, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man," we hear the voice of James, the servant of the Lord, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the scattered saints, dispelling a perilous falsehood that would malign the character of the Almighty. This verse, set within the epistle’s call to endure trials with steadfast faith, stands as a bulwark against the deceitful whisper that God is the author of temptation, affirming instead His unblemished holiness and unchanging goodness. Herein lies a profound declaration of God’s nature, a rebuke to human folly, and a summons to take responsibility for sin, that the faithful might walk in truth and cling to the One who is the source of every good and perfect gift.

The admonition, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God," confronts a dangerous error that seeks to shift the blame for sin onto the Creator. In the crucible of trials, when the heart is pressed by suffering or lured by desire, the tempted soul might falsely accuse God, as if He, who is sovereign over all, orchestrates the enticement to evil. James, with pastoral urgency, forbids such a claim, for it strikes at the heart of God’s character and distorts the nature of His providence. This error echoes the murmurings of Israel in the wilderness, who questioned God’s goodness in their want (Exodus 17:3), and recalls the serpent’s lie in Eden, casting doubt on the Lord’s benevolence (Genesis 3:4–5). To attribute temptation to God is to invert the truth, for He is not the source of sin but the fountain of righteousness, whose will is ever for the sanctification of His people.

The declaration that "God cannot be tempted with evil" unveils the absolute holiness of the Divine Nature, unassailable by the allurements of sin. Unlike man, whose heart is swayed by desire, God is immutable in His purity, untouched and untouchable by evil. He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). This truth, radiant with assurance, guards the believer against the blasphemy of imagining a God who could be swayed by wickedness or complicit in its schemes. It echoes the testimony of the Psalmist, who proclaims the Lord’s righteousness as enduring as the heavens (Psalm 89:2), and foreshadows the triumph of Christ, who, though tempted in all points as we are, remained without sin (Hebrews 4:15). God’s untemptability is the anchor of our trust, for He is ever the same, holy and just, unmoved by the shadows of evil that assail His creation.

The further assertion, "neither tempteth he any man," seals the defense of God’s character, proclaiming that He does not entice His creatures to sin. Temptation, as James will unfold, springs from within, from the lusts of the human heart (James 1:14), not from the hand of the Almighty. God may permit trials, as He did with Job, to refine faith and prove steadfastness (James 1:2–3), but these are distinct from temptations, which seek to draw the soul into rebellion. The Lord’s testing is for our good, to strengthen and purify, as gold is tried in the fire (1 Peter 1:7); temptation, by contrast, is the work of the adversary, who prowls to devour (1 Peter 5:8). By declaring that God tempts no man, James absolves the Creator of complicity in sin, pointing instead to His purpose to deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13). This truth aligns with the promise of the prophets, that God desires mercy and not destruction (Hosea 6:6), and with the work of Christ, who intercedes to keep us from falling (Hebrews 7:25).

The context of this verse, nestled between James’s exhortation to rejoice in trials and his explanation of temptation’s true source, amplifies its weight. The scattered believers, facing persecution and hardship, were tempted to falter, perhaps blaming God for their struggles or questioning His goodness. James, with wisdom born of faith, redirects their gaze, urging them to see trials as opportunities for growth and to recognize temptation as the fruit of their own desires, not divine malice. This teaching echoes the law, which calls for accountability before God (Deuteronomy 30:19), and anticipates the gospel, which offers grace to overcome sin through Christ. It is a call to humility, for to blame God is to evade the truth of our own frailty, and a call to hope, for the God who tempts no man is the same who provides a way of escape in every trial (1 Corinthians 10:13).

For the faithful, James 1:13 is a summons to guard our hearts against falsehood and to honor the holiness of God. It bids us confess our own sinfulness, taking responsibility for the temptations that arise within, rather than casting blame upon the Lord. It calls us to trust in His unchanging goodness, knowing that He is not the author of evil but the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). It urges us to flee to Christ, who, having overcome temptation, empowers us to stand firm. Let us, with James, proclaim the God who is holy and just, who tempts no man but delivers His people, that we might walk in His truth and rest in His mercy. Blessed be His name, who in His righteousness leads us not into temptation but delivers us from evil, that we might live forever in the light of His grace.

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Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, beloved of God, who have been called to holiness through the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, who was delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification. I speak to you not in the wisdom of men, nor in the persuasion of human reason, but in the truth which proceeds from the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. Let every heart be attentive, and let every mind be subject to the authority of the Holy Spirit, who searches all things, even the deep things of God.

It is written by the servant of the Lord, James, brother of our Lord according to the flesh and elder of the church in Jerusalem: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.” This word is pure and trustworthy, for it declares the holiness of our God and the deceitfulness of the human heart. Let every mouth be stopped that would speak falsely of God in the day of trial, and let every tongue be silenced that dares accuse the Holy One in the hour of temptation.

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. He is not moved by sin, nor stirred by evil, nor attracted to wickedness. He is the unchanging One, whose judgments are true, whose ways are upright, and whose throne is established in righteousness. He who formed man from the dust, who breathed into him the breath of life, who gave the law and fulfilled it in Christ—shall He now be accused as the author of evil? Far be it from us to think such a thing. Shall the fountain of living water bring forth bitterness? Shall the vine of heaven produce thorns? No, God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt any man.

Temptation arises not from above, but from within—from the desires of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire, and desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Therefore let no one shift the blame for his fall to the God who saves. Let none say in his heart, “The Lord led me into this.” For it is not God who leads to sin, but sin that leads away from God. It is not the Lord who turns hearts from the path of righteousness, but the deceitfulness of sin that turns hearts away from the fear of the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, the enemy of your soul is cunning, and the flesh is weak. But God is faithful, and He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with every temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Do not despise the testing of your faith, for the trial produces steadfastness, and steadfastness must have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But temptation is not the same as testing. Testing refines; temptation deceives. Testing purifies; temptation corrupts. And though God may test to prove and strengthen, He never tempts to sin.

Let the people of God walk in reverence, not in accusation. Let us guard our thoughts, that we do not murmur against the One who is holy. In the wilderness, the people of Israel grumbled against God and perished in unbelief. But the righteous know that God is not the author of confusion, nor the instigator of evil, but the Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift comes down. He does not change like shifting shadows. His will is pure. His purpose is good. His nature is love.

If you are tempted, cry not against God, but cry out to Him. He is a present help in time of trouble. He is the refuge for the weary and the strength of those who call upon His name. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Let this truth be sealed upon your hearts: that temptation is not from above, but from the enemy below and the weakness within. Yet God is not far off in the battle. He strengthens the weak. He gives grace to the lowly. He delivers those who cry out for mercy. And when you stand, give glory to God, for it is He who keeps your feet from stumbling. And if you fall, do not blame Him who is righteous, but run to Him who is merciful. Confess your sin, for He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

O Church of the living God, walk as children of the light. Put on the full armor of God. Stand firm in the truth. Let no accusation rise from your lips against the One who has called you to holiness. Let your hearts be established in grace, and let your minds be renewed in the knowledge of the truth. When you are tempted, remember this: the Lord is not your adversary, but your Advocate; not your accuser, but your Deliverer.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority, both now and forever.

Amen.

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O Holy and Righteous Father, who sits enthroned in majesty and whose judgments are pure, we lift our hearts to You with reverence and awe, for You are the everlasting God, the One who was, and is, and is to come. You are clothed in light as with a garment; You are perfect in holiness and altogether without iniquity. With You there is no shadow of turning, and Your ways are unsearchably good. You are the Rock, and all Your works are just; a God of truth and without wrongdoing, righteous and upright are You.

We give You thanks, O Lord, for Your unchanging character, that though we are tempted and tried, You remain unmoved, unaffected by sin, untouched by evil. You are never the source of our stumbling, never the cause of our downfall. You do not entice us to sin, nor do You lead any soul into iniquity. You are not the author of temptation but the One who delivers us from it. You are not the hand that entraps, but the hand that rescues. Temptation comes not from You, but from the corruption within our own hearts and from the deceit of the enemy who seeks our ruin.

Therefore, Lord, we humbly confess our frailty before You. We are often drawn away by our own desires and enticed. We stumble not because You have failed us, but because we have failed to keep our eyes upon You. We fall when we listen to the voice of our flesh more than the voice of Your Spirit. Forgive us, O Lord, for every time we have blamed You in the hour of our weakness, for every time we have questioned Your goodness while walking in disobedience. Cleanse our hearts from hidden fault and purify our lips from accusing speech.

O God, strengthen us in the day of trial. When temptation comes, let us not be deceived by its voice, nor confused by its presence. Teach us to discern the difference between testing that refines and temptation that destroys. Grant us grace to stand firm, not in the strength of our will, but in the power of Your Spirit. Let Your Word be hidden in our hearts, that we might not sin against You. Let the fear of the Lord be our delight and Your precepts our defense. And when the tempter comes, let him find nothing in us, for we are covered by the blood of the Lamb and sealed by the Spirit of truth.

Lord, help us to endure temptation with eyes fixed on the crown of life You have promised to those who love You. Let us not be conformed to this world, nor entangled again in the lusts that war against our soul. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Guard our hearts from deceit, our minds from confusion, and our steps from error. And when we fall, let us not dwell in guilt, nor charge You with wrongdoing, but run to You, who is faithful to forgive, and whose mercy is new every morning.

Grant wisdom to Your people, O Lord, that we may not call evil good, nor good evil. Let us not mistake liberty for license, nor trials for temptations. Teach us to walk in the light as You are in the light, to delight in the truth, and to flee from every appearance of evil. Fill us with the knowledge of Your will, that we may approve what is excellent and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

Let Your Church be a place of holiness, not pretended but true; of grace, not indulgence; of watchfulness, not pride. Let our fellowship be marked by mutual exhortation and humble confession. And let Your people be taught not to accuse You in their weakness, but to look to You for strength, to resist the enemy steadfast in the faith, and to grow in the likeness of Christ, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

We bless You, O Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift comes down. You are not the voice that lures us to ruin, but the One who calls us to life. You have given us Your Son, Your Spirit, and Your Word. You have provided every means of escape. You have promised to keep us from stumbling and to present us faultless before Your presence with exceeding joy. Therefore, we will trust You, even when we are tested; we will follow You, even when we are pressed; and we will love You, even in the fire, for You are faithful and true.

Now unto You who are able to keep us in the hour of temptation, and to bring us through with praise on our lips, be honor and glory, wisdom and strength, majesty and dominion, both now and forevermore.

Amen.