James 1:13-18
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We must keep in perspective that James is writing to the 12 scattered tribes (aka the Church). James gives a NT approach of Proverbs, as he lifts up the necessity of God’s wisdom as well as the distinction between wisdom from above and worldly wisdom.
v13
v13
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:
This is to expound from v12 knowing the distinction of temptation.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
No one should say that they are tempted by God
God can’t be tempted by evil
1 Corinthians 10:9
God doesn’t tempt anyone
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
v14
v14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
What draws us away is not what is on the outside but rather what is on the inside.
We’re drawn from truth and virtue.
Enticed = taken with a bait
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
v15
v15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James displays how sin is developed like human conception. Desire is conceived when a person yields to temptation, which bringeth forth or gives birth to sin. When sin matures, this leads to separation from God’s righteousness.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
v16
v16
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
God doesn’t send trials to make us worse but to make us better.
v17
v17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James shared on of these gifts as wisdom.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Father of lights - refers to God’s power over the sun, moon and stars
no variablesness, neither shadow of turning - other lights fluctuate but God never changes - “there is no shadow or turning with thee” (Great is Thy Faithfulness)
v18
v18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James uses the birth analogy in contrast with sin. Of God’s own will, we were begat with the word of truth (the gospel of Jesus Christ) that we should be a kind of firstfruits. (Christlike or Christians)