while today

Where does temptation come from? If we could find the answer to this question, it would help us to overcome sin in our lives. James addresses this important question in his letter. Interestingly, he speaks of both trials and temptations with the same root word. This tells us that trials and temptations are closely related.

I think we can understand this intuitively from our own life experiences. With almost every trial, there is also a temptation lurking. If I have financial trials, there is the temptation to love money. If my patience is tested, there is the temptation to sin with my tongue. If I face the trial of being mistreated by someone, there is the temptation to be unforgiving and bitter.

James tells us that God allows us to go through trials so that we will grow in endurance and become spiritually mature. But if God allows us to face trials, and if temptation comes with the trials, then should we conclude that temptation comes from God?

The answer to that is a resounding, “No!” Listen to the inspired words of James: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:13-15 NASB95). God cannot be tempted and He does not tempt anyone. Yes, God does allow trials to come upon us. Trials that show the genuineness of our faith, that purify us, and that help us to grow spiritually. But God would never entice anyone to sin or desire that anyone commit sin. That is not in His nature.

So then, where does temptation come from? As we see in this passage, temptation comes from within us. It is born out of our desires. It comes when we respond with a poor attitude to the trials that we face. They do not come from God. This is important to realize because if we can win the battle against temptation, we can prevent sin from being conceived and the birth of sin and death.

The trials we face can either be an opportunity for our growth or a cause of sin. It all depends on our attitude and response. When we are tried, may God help us to turn away from temptation before it can overtake us. May we set our desires on His will rather than our own, ask for His wisdom, and rely on His strength to overcome.

—Scott Colvin