“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.” James 1:13
Sometimes in our lives our suffering is very great. It feels impossible to bear. We feel like we might explode or go crazy. In these times, we might want to blame God and accuse him of sending something into our lives to cause us to sin against him.
James’ first audience felt this way. They were under severe pressure from different people who hated Jesus and his mission, and sought to make their lives very difficult, sometimes even trying to physically harm them. These were not, by any means, easy or comfortable situations for these new believers in Christ.
James knew that it was easy for them to think that God might be against them, which would lure them into sin, so he reminded them that God is not evil, nor could he ever do evil. Evil cannot stand in his presence.
God could allow a trial into your life in which you’re bullied for not joining the bullying crowd. But if you feel like the temptation is too much to bear and decide to join them, you can’t blame God for your sin. He didn’t tempt you to give in; you did that on your own.
God is wholly pure, perfect, and sinless. We can never charge him with anything other than that.
Read
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
- What is the promise(s) in this verse?
- Is there a way you are being tempted to sin right now due to suffering?
- How can we pray for one another?
Prayer
Father, we know that you love us and bring trials into our lives for our good. May we remember this fatherly affection that you have for us when we are tempted to think that you don’t love us and that our suffering is too challenging. We know that you would never lead us into sin; please grant us the power to endure when our lives are really hard. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This devotion is adapted from the James Study Guide. Pick up a copy today for only $9.99. The Study Guide includes a 15-week curriculum, a small group study, a group inductive study, as well as 75 daily devotions for your personal or family worship.
