James 1 – 'It's on Us'

Introduction: Two words that James connects early in his writing is that of temptation being linked to trials.

vv. 1-8 – Profiting from Trials.

‘Various trials’ =

Application/Question: Profiting from Trials?

vv. 12-18 – Temptations.

‘Tempted’ = peirazo {pi-rad’-zo} 

Meaning: 1) to try whether a thing can be done 1a) to attempt, endeavour 2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself

‘God cannot be tempted by evil’ = 

‘Nor does He tempt anyone’ = 

Transition: So what can we extract from James 1?

1. Challenge – It is to be endured.

2. Rewards = ‘Crown of life’ = completion/excellence; reward of righteousness

3. Source – ‘It’s On Us’

[But every man is tempted] Successfully solicited to sin, when he is drawn away of his own lust-when, giving way to the evil propensity of his own heart, he does that to which he is solicited by the enemy of his soul.

In the words, drawn away by his own lust and enticed, 

Lust = desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden

there is a double metaphor; the first referring to the dragging a fish out of the water by a hook which it had swallowed, because concealed by a bait; the second, to the enticements of impure women, who draw away the unwary into their snares, and involve them in their ruin. 

Illicit connections of this kind the writer has clearly in view; and every word that he uses refers to something of this nature, as the following verse shows. 

4. Root – Not God, but sin / depravity in us!

• Adam and Eve’s failure passed onto all who would be born after.

5. Consequence – sin and death

Conceived, nurtured, completed = death

Transition: But there is an answer:

1. Submit to God – resist the devil and he will fless.

2. Believe and Receive gift of Grace.

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:12, 15, 17–19)