We saw from last week's post that God does not tempt anyone—He is not the source of temptations. An understanding of the source of temptation will help us overcome temptations when they come this year.
As a continuation from last week, where we showed the devil as a source of temptations, let’s take a step further to investigate another source—Man.
2. MAN
“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: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
James 1:13-15 KJV
Again, read slowly with the aim of understanding. The phrase used by James, “let no man”, is not exclusive to man alone. It means no one, not anyone, nobody, nothing. So, we can say, “let no one or nothing say“.
It means no one or nothing can say God tempts. It would be an error. “No one”, would stand for what men say when they assume God is tempting them, and “nothing” would cover teachings, stories, experiences, dreams, visions that explain God as one that tempts man.
James says; “Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:16; KJV)
Don’t make that mistake. God is not the source of temptations, for he(God) cannot be tempted with evil, and he does not tempt. Job and his friends made this mistake, when they presented God as the engineer of Job's misfortune.
Keep reading, please.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
James did not say, “every man is tempted when God tempts him”. No! Man is tempted when he is drawn away OF HIS OWN LUST.
The root of temptation is seen in man's own lust. We are tempted when we give into lust. Now, don’t think lust talks only about desiring a woman that is not your wife—No. Lust means any passionate desire that is sinful. This can be directed at anything.
The word "entice" there, means “to entrap, take or catch with a bait”. In other words, a man’s lust or passionate desires which are sinful, are like a bait that entraps him. Note that there is no mention of God in all of these; not even the Devil. This shows that men are capable of lust, without the influence of God or the Devil.
The Greek word for "conceive" here, when translated, means to arrest, apprehend and (as used in Luke 1:24) to become pregnant. So, a man follows the bait that lust provides, and he is trapped or locked in. The combination of his lust and the bait, gives birth to sin, and when complete or finished produces death.
Now, observe the progression: A man lusts after a thing, and he is trapped. Then lust gives birth to sin; and sin, ushers in death.
No mention of God in the production of temptations and sin—it's man all the way.
Men can intentionally tempt their fellow men, Jesus was tempted by men. (Matthew 16:1).
So friends, when you see temptations come your way this year, as they would, don’t be cajoled by anyone or anything that God is responsible. Temptations come from the Devil and men; never God. This would arm you to overcome them.
Stay with us, as we continue navigating the year, next week.
GO ACHIEVE
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