The early verses of James chapter 1 were considered last month, and it was observed that trials are part of life for believers. They exist in order that there may be spiritual development and maturity, and that Christ might be more seen in the lives of the saints. In the second part of chapter 1, James encourages the believers to distinguish between God-given trials, and sin-fuelled temptations. In summary, God will never tempt the believer to sin. In addition, James goes on to exhort them not only to hear the Word of God, but to be doers of it also.
Verses 13-21: The Believer and Temptation
As has been observed, James wants the believers to distinguish between trial, in which character is to be developed and approved, and temptation, which does not come from God, and is liable to end in sin and disaster rather than development.
Verse 13: The Power of Temptation
Sadly, believers often attempt to justify a sinful direction in life by claiming God's guidance. However, God will never tempt men to commit sinful acts. As will be seen, temptation can be powerful, but that power is not one that comes from God. This verse also contains an important doctrinal truth: God cannot be tempted to commit evil acts. Therefore, the fact that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God means that it was, and is, impossible for Him to sin. His impeccability is therefore more than innocence; there was no possibility of Him committing sin.
Verses 14-20: The Process of Temptation
In these verses James analyses the process of temptation. Contextually, temptation to commit sinful acts happens when the believer is guided, or dragged ("drawn away"), by an illegitimate desire which connects with the object of the desire, and they conceive to produce sin. The sin is the believer's, and never comes from God. Sin therefore arises when the saint's affections are not centred on Christ, and are able to stray, so that the life of that saint is being controlled by desires that do not originate with God. Is it any wonder, therefore, that temptations are so real, and that sin is such a present regret, when the thoughts of the saints are focused on people and things other than the Lord? The people of God need to allow the Holy Spirit to control them, so that affections are centred on Christ, and desires are regulated by Him. The process of temptation will be defeated if Christ is everything!
Good things come from God; never sinful things (v 17). He regenerated saved men and women through the operation of the Scriptures, that they should be firstfruits of His creation. That is the purpose of salvation. Verses 18 and 19 teach that firstfruits character should be demonstrated in a particular way; patience and even-tempered behaviour with others, listening, rather than demonstrating the anger of the natural man. The treatment of others is a theme James returns to throughout the epistle, and it remains a necessary ministry today in a world that promotes a selfish agenda, and is full of lonely and embittered lives. Perhaps some thought that hardness and anger was the way to glorify God, but James teaches that the contrary is true. Dealing with temptation is not achieved by self-righteous hypocrisy, but rather by the antidote James then describes.
Verse 21: The Prevention of Temptation
In short, the disciple feeding on the Word of God, and consequently finding satisfaction in Christ, will be one who can deal with temptation. The believer must take action in order to deal with sin and temptation: "put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness" (v 21, ESV¹). In this connection, the Colossian epistle speaks about the need to put the flesh (what believers are naturally, apart from eternal life) to death in a practical way. Holiness will not just happen. However, it will require God's control and help to see practical evidence of sanctification in a believer's life. The Word of truth was used to give every saint life. Other Scriptures teach that it is implanted and working (1 Thess 2.13), and abides in the saved (1 Jn 2.14). However, the same Word that gives life also has to be received on a continuing basis to enable fruitfulness for God. The Scriptures will draw out our affections and desires to Christ, and will deliver practically from temptation. Not only must the Word be received, but it should be received with meekness, that is, with a teachable, humble, responsive spirit. Is it any wonder that there is often a lack of power about the gatherings of saints, and carnality staining efforts, when some saints do not pick the Bible up at all? There needs to be an exercise to approach the Scriptures humbly, to receive God's Word for life today.
Verses 22-27: The Believer and Truth
In the final section of the chapter, having dealt with the primacy and importance of the Word of God, James turns to how it is received. He contrasts the forgetful hearer and the faithful doer of the Word. In short, it is not enough to read, or hear, and understand the Word of God. The truth of the Scriptures must be obeyed in its entirety, so that practically it regulates lives, both individually and collectively. It is good and necessary to read and understand the Scriptures, for God does not intend saints to be ignorant of His purpose (2 Tim 2.15). It is sad when the truth of God is not obeyed and practised by the Lord's people. In the next section of the letter, James gives some of the reasons why that is the case. To fail to do so, he says, is to deceive oneself. He says it is like looking in a mirror, seeing the natural appearance, and then walking away forgetting what was seen and what one looks like. In other words, understanding with no change means that the Word of God is leaving no lasting mark or impression upon the character. In contrast, following James' example, believers need to be like a man who studies intently the perfect law of liberty, and continues practically in the knowledge of what it teaches about who he is and how he appears. That is the path to blessing. It is all too easy to have truth brought to bear, particularly in relation to our character and conduct, and then forget what we have been shown of personal spiritual fragility. Notice in the description given that God's Word is perfect. It is, paradoxically, a law (though not the law) that gives liberty to be what God originally intended in Christ.
Some specific examples are given in the last verses of the chapter as to how a believer ought to demonstrate obedience and devotion to God and His Word. They are not exhaustive, but they are instructive. Firstly, again touching on a theme that will be returned to later, the tongue must be controlled. To claim to be devoted, and not be able to control the content and character of speech, is a mark of empty profession. On the other hand, James gives examples of deeds and attitudes that are marks of godly obedience. Firstly, godly saints will have an interest in those who are vulnerable and needing help. That help will be made particularly available when (using James' example) the orphan and widow are facing times of difficulty. It is easy to see that the help may be practical (for example, financial), but it could also be spiritual. It is a myth that there are no believers in assembly fellowship who require practical support. While it is true that state welfare is often available, it is sad if genuine cases of need are overlooked. Even if no financial or practical need is there in assembly life, there will certainly be the widowed and fatherless who would still benefit from visitation, interest and spiritual support. Assembly life ought to be marked by care for those who need it. The second example James gives is a very challenging one. The obedient believer will keep himself "unspotted" from the world. He will not allow the world to mark him or taint him at all. Clearly, by so doing, while living in the world, he will be separate from the world. A relevant challenge indeed for 21st century life!
(To be continued …)
¹ English Standard Version.
