God's escape route
And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 NLT
The Book of James deals with the persecutions Christians are going through because of their faith in God. These persecutions led some of the believers to commit sin. Because of the hurt inflicted on them, Christians retaliate by hurting those who persecute them. They justify their actions by taking matters into their hands including avenging themselves against their persecutors. They also justify their actions by claiming that they themselves are victims and thus deserve just compensation or settlement. Some would even go farther claiming that it was God that brought temptations in their lives. The reasoning goes this way: God sent trials in my life that caused me to be tempted, therefore God is the source of my temptation. This is also what Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden after they sinned. Eve blamed the serpent then Adam blamed God for sending Eve in his life. “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12). So from the text, James provides answers about these misconceptions regarding temptations. First, he says that God “never tempts anyone else” for He “is never tempted to do wrong.” It is not in the nature of God to commit sin. Sin is in opposition to God’s holiness and perfection. We ourselves are responsible for sin. We sin because we chose to do so. “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away” (James 1:14). We sin because we are sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV). Yes, Satan tempts us to sin but we are the ones who gave in to sin because of our sinful nature. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12 NIV). Sin is like an embryo that grows into maturity but will not produce life but death. “When sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:15). Therefore, sin should not be taken casually or lightly. Once enticed and dragged away by sin, it will lead to spiritual death, that is eternal separation from God. The only way of escape is to repent from sin, ask God for forgiveness and accept the life He offers.
Blessings,
