In 1716 Christopher Bullock wrote, “Tis impossible to be sure of anything but death and taxes.” Many others have repeated that with some variations. However, James would disagree. He would add to the list of death and taxes, trials and temptations.
In James 1:2 he stated “when you meet trials . . .” and in verse 13 he wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted. . .”
To be Doers of the Word, you must have distinctly different reactions to these unavoidable certainties of life. We need to rejoice in trials (vv. 2-12) and resist temptation (vv. 13-18). This passage declares three important truths about temptation.
1. The cause of temptation, vv. 13-14.
2. The course of temptation, vv. 14-15.
3. The corrective for temptation, vv. 16-18.
Remember, being tempted is not sin. It is what you do with the temptation.
Jesus was tempted, yet He remained sinless.
