(“The Enemy Within”)¹ (I)

James 1:1-15 (NASU)

13“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. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

(James 1:13-14)

(A) THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

(1) How many attributes of God can you name? Five? Ten? Twenty? More than twenty? One of my favorite quotes regarding God’s attributes is a hymn-line penned by Charles Wesley, in which he wrote:

“Sovereign Father, heavenly King,

Thee we now presume to sing;

Glad Thine attributes confess,

Glorious all, and numberless.”²

I think Wesley was right when he suggested God’s attributes are “numberless” – that the qualities which make up God’s character are as infinite as God Himself – and that one of the things we will do in eternity is learn more and more and more about who God is and what He is like. Nor will it be a boring, intellectual-only exercise – rather, I think it will be a joyous experience that will give us ever-increasing reasons to love Him, and serve Him, and worship Him forever and ever!

(2) Although there are many things about our God and Savior we don’t yet know, there are things about His character we DO know, or that we can learn about if we have eyes to see (c.f. Matthew 13:13-16; Romans 11:8) and know where to look.

(a) For example, some of God’s attributes can be discovered by studying nature – for Scripture says: “since the creation of the world HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES, (like) His eternal power and divine nature, HAVE BEEN CLEARLY SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD THROUGH WHAT HAS BEEN MADE …” (c.f. Romans 1:20).

(b) Other aspects of God’s character can be learned from studying the life of Jesus (who is “God with us” in human flesh – Matthew 1:23), for Scripture says that He is: “THE EXACT RESPRESENTATION OF (GOD’S) NATURE” (c.f. Hebrews 1:3) – and that: “in Him (i.e. Jesus) ALL THE FULLNESS OF DEITY DWELLS IN BODILY FORM” (c.f. Colossians 2:9).

(c) Obviously Scripture itself is another major source of information when trying to learn about God’s attributes. For example, the Book of Job tells us He is Sovereign, saying in one place: “I know that You can do all things, and that NO PURPOSE OF YOURS CAN (EVER) BE THWARTED” (c.f. Job 42:2). Likewise, the 139^th Psalm tells us He is Omnipresence, saying in part: 7“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8If I ascend to heaven, YOU ARE THERE; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, YOU ARE THERE. 9If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10EVEN THERE Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me” (c.f. Psalm 139:7-10).

(3) One of God’s basic attributes is His omnipotence – which means He is all-powerful³ – that He possesses all power – nor is His power ever diminished or drained by exertion so that it needs to be replenished.

(a) This aspect of His character can be discovered (in part) by meditating on the enormity and complexity of the universe – for only a Being with unimaginable power could create and sustain something as vast as the cosmos, while also synchronizing all its various functions and parts (c.f. Genesis 1:1-31).

God’s omnipotence is also revealed by the miraculous things Jesus did during His time on earth – like changing water into wine (c.f. John 2:1-11) – calming the stormy sea with a word (c.f. Mark 4:36-41) – healing every kind of sickness and disease (c.f. Matthew 15:30) – and raising people from the dead (including Himself) (c.f. John 10:17-18; 11:43-44). Only Someone with incredible power could do these kinds of things as easily and as often as Jesus did!

God’s almighty power can also be discovered by reading the biblical accounts of His great works – from sending a flood to cover the whole earth (c.f. Genesis 7-8) – to the parting of the Red Sea (c.f. Exodus 14) – to causing the sun to stand still for about a whole day (c.f. Joshua 10). Only Someone with power beyond human comprehension could do these kinds of things (c.f. Isaiah 55:8-9)!

(b) Having all power, however, doesn’t mean God can do EVERYTHING that can possibly be done – indeed, Scripture indicates there ARE some things the omnipotent God CANNOT (or WILL NOT) do.

For example, the Book of Titus tells us that: “God … CANNOT lie” (c.f. Titus 1:2). Fallen men lie – and Satan is called “the father of lies” (c.f. John 8:44) – but God CANNOT and DOES NOT lie. Moreover, this is a good thing to know when considering promises like the one found in verse five of this morning’s Scripture lesson, which says: “… if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM” (c.f. James 1:5). The reason we can count on that promise (and any other promises the Lord has made) is because Scripture says elsewhere that: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (c.f. Numbers 23:19).

Another thing God “CAN NOT” do (according to the Book of Habakkuk) is “look on wickedness with favor” (c.f. Habakkuk 1:13) – which means, among other things, that God NEVER approves sinful behavior of any kind – nor will He allow the evil men do to go unpunished. Otherwise the description of God found in the Book of Job would not be true, that says: “God will NOT act wickedly … (NOR will He ever) pervert justice” (c.f. Job 34:12).

In the Book of Malachi, God says: “I, the Lord, DO NOT change” (c.f. Malachi 3:6) – which means God is always the same – in fact, the Book of Hebrews says He’s “the same yesterday and today and forever” (c.f. Hebrews 13:8). God is the same today as He was in the days of Noah, and Moses, and David – indeed, He’s exactly the same God James spoke of when he said (in verse seventeen) that: “every good thing and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is NO VARIATION OR SHIFTING SHADOW” (c.f. James 1:17).

(c) Two more things God CANNOT do are listed in this morning’s text – specifically in verse thirteen, where James says: “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 (meaning He does NOT tempt anyone, be they a Christian or non-Christian, to sin against Him)” (c.f. James 1:13).

If that’s the case (and it is!), then where do the temptations to commit evil (that we all face) come from? Verse fourteen says: “each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed BY HIS OWN LUST” (c.f. James 1:14). What we want to do in the time we have left is take a closer look at what this means.

(B) WHO’S REALLY TO BLAME?

(1) And we begin with verse twelve, which says: “Blessed is (the) man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (c.f. James 1:12).

(a) In this verse James returns to the theme he introduced at the start of his letter⁴ (c.f. James 1:2-4) – namely, the testing of our faith and the importance of persevering under trials. In verse two he said we Christians should: “consider it all JOY … when(ever) (we) encounter various trials” (c.f. James 1:2) – which is contrary to how we usually react to the painful difficulties of life. Now here in verse twelve he says that the “man who perseveres under trial(s)” is “BLESSED” (c.f. James 1:12) – which is also contrary to how we usually view life’s troubles – hence our need for this exhortation and/or reminder.

(b) The word “blessed” (c.f. James 1:12) – which Jesus used at least nine times in His Sermon on the Mount (c.f. Matthew 5:3-12) – does NOT refer to the kind of happiness the unbelieving secular world is constantly chasing after – i.e. that mythical happiness associated with a carefree existence, or from having little or no conflict or trouble in life. On the contrary, “blessed” (c.f. James 1:12) refers to that profound inner peace and sense of fulfillment the Lord gives those who, for His sake and by His enabling grace, faithfully and patiently endure whatever trials or tests He chooses to send their way.⁵

As we’ve noted in other messages, the “blessing” or “joy” comes – not from the trials themselves – but from looking ahead to what the end result is going to be, which includes the building up of our faith, and Christ being praised and glorified. Moreover, this “blessed joy” is not merely future – it can also be a present experience, even in difficult times.⁷ Hence, the Apostle Peter wrote: 6“In this you GREATLY REJOICE, even though NOW for a little while … you have been DISTRESSED BY VARIOUS TRIALS, 7so that the PROOF OF YOUR FAITH … may be found to result in PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (c.f. I Peter 1:6-7).

(c) The “man who perseveres under trial” (c.f. James 1:12) is NOT someone who simply grins and bears it – or toughs it out (as it were) – or just puts up with whatever happens in a philosophical sort of way. Nor do we persevere by putting on a happy face, being stoic, and/or never shedding any tears (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:13). Rather, the “man who perseveres” does so by NOT relinquishing his confidence in God – by NOT abandoning his faith in Christ – by NOT pulling back from serving and worshipping his Savior.⁶

Like Job his attitude is: “Though (God) slay me, I will hope in Him” (c.f. Job 13:15) – like Joseph he knows even though others may mean him harm, “God mean(s) it for good in order to bring about (a particular) result” (c.f. Genesis 50:20) – like Daniel he would rather be thrown to the lions than deviate from worshipping His God (c.f. Daniel 6:1-10) – like the Apostles, he would rather incur the anger of sinful men and be whipped than stop obeying his Savior’s commands (c.f. Acts 4:18-21; 5:27-41).

(d) The “man who perseveres under trial(s)” is “blessed” for at least two reasons – one is because perseverance results in God’s “approval”⁶ – and the other is because “he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (c.f. James 1:12).

[1] The idea of “approval” has nothing to do with earning our salvation – which is always and only by grace through the gift of faith (c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, it has to do with that which pleases God – in other words, it pleases God when we “persevere under trials” (c.f. James 1:12) – it pleases Him when we “persevere” without cursing Him (c.f. Job 2:9), or giving up on Him, or turning away from Him (c.f. John 6:67-68).

[2] It’s also possible that the idea of being “approved” (c.f. James 1:12) has to do with “proving” or confirming who belongs to Christ and who doesn’t⁸ – of showing who really “loves Him” (c.f. James 1:12) and who’s only giving lip-service. As Paul told the Corinthians: “there must … be factions among you, so that those who are APPROVED (same Greek word as used in our text)⁹ MAY BECOME EVIDENT among you” (c.f. I Corinthians 11:19).

This helps explain why God asked Satan, not once but twice, “have you considered my servant Job?” (c.f. Job 1:8; 2:3) – indeed, one could say that all the trials and tests Job went through were intended to “prove” or “confirm” to Satan that he really was one of God’s redeemed people, and that he would not curse God or turn away from Him no matter what happened (c.f. Job 1:11; 2:5, 10).

Trials and tests often serve the same purpose in our own lives – in this regard, that they show us who’s wheat and who’s chaff – who’s one of Christ’s sheep and who’s numbered among the goats – who has made a true profession of faith in Christ and who’s a hypocrite.

Hence, when we see people we consider to be our brothers and sisters in Christ undergoing trials, we ought to pray for them – specifically, we ought to pray “that (their) faith (will) not fail” – just like Jesus once prayed for Peter while Satan was sifting him like wheat (c.f. Luke 22:32).

[3] The other reason “a man who perseveres under trial(s)” is “blessed” is because those who have “been approved” by means of such tests “will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to (all) those who love Him” (c.f. James 1:12).

The term for “crown” (c.f. James 1:12) is taken from athletic competition rather than royalty.⁶ Hence, it’s not the “crown” of privilege, but a “crown” that comes from PERSEVERING – nor is it the “crown” of advantage, rather it’s the “crown” God gives to those who remain FAITHFUL to Him regardless of what comes their way (c.f. Revelation 2:10) – nor again is it the “crown” of favor or favoritism, rather it’s the “crown” that comes from ENDURING life’s most difficult circumstances without cursing God (c.f. Job 2:9-10), or accusing Him of sinful misconduct.

James never explains what “the crown of life” is¹⁰ (c.f. James 1:12). However, it appears to be related to the “joys” and “blessings” associated with eternal life – to the gladness and glory¹¹ associated with heaven. It’s probably the same thing Paul called “the crown of righteousness” (c.f. II Timothy 4:8) – and Peter called, “the unfading crown of glory” (c.f. I Peter 5:4).

Whatever it is, it’s meant to be an incentive for us to “(persevere) under trial(s)” (c.f. James 1:12). For as Paul once said: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (c.f. Romans 8:18, NIV). Moreover, Jesus is our example of joyful perseverance – for the Book of Hebrews says that: 2“for the JOY set before Him (Jesus) ENDURED the cross, (and) despis(ed) the shame” – and that you and I are to: 3“consider Him who … ENDURED such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that (we do) NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART” (i.e. when undergoing our own sufferings) (c.f. Hebrews 12:2-3).

[4] Scripture says that one evidence our love for Christ is genuine is our obedience to His commands (c.f. John 14:15). Here in the first chapter of the Book of James we have another evidence – namely, our ability to “persevere under the trials” (c.f. James 1:12) God chooses to send our way – an ability that is not really ours, but a gift of Christ’s enabling grace.

Jesus once said that in the days leading up to His return, “most people’s love (i.e. for Him and/or for each other) will grow cold” (c.f. Matthew 24:12). He also said His disciples would be hated on account of His name (c.f. Mark 13:13). BUT, He then added that “the one who ENDURES to the end … will be saved” (c.f. Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13) – i.e. the one who perseveres through these loveless, hate-filled times will be saved – which is just another way of saying: “he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to (all) those who love Him” (c.f. James 1:12). No wonder, then, that James says the “man (or woman) who perseveres under trial(s)” is “blessed” (c.f. James 1:12)!

(2) Moving on to verse thirteen James says: “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” (c.f. James 1:13).

(a) James is nothing if not a realist. He knows, for example, that in a fallen world where the work of sanctification is not yet complete, (he knows that) not everyone will “persevere under the trials” (c.f. James 1:12) God sends their way. He knows that despite the promise in First Corinthians chapter ten that says, “God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure” (c.f. I Corinthians 10:13), (despite that promise, James knows) not everyone will successfully endure every test. He knows (as he states in chapter three) that “we ALL stumble in MANY ways” (c.f. James 3:2a) – “stumbling”, in this instance, being a figure of speech for sinning against God (c.f. Psalm 51:4).

(b) He also knows that when that happens (i.e. when we fail to persevere) some of us will want to blame God – some of us, when we fail to persevere and fall into sin, will want to accuse God of tempting us to sin, and even causing us to sin.¹² Hence, he warns us in no uncertain terms NOT to do that, saying (in verse thirteen): “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” (c.f. James 1:13).

(c) Blaming God for our own sin is as old as the Garden of Eden.¹² After the Fall, when God confronted Adam and Eve with what they had done, Eve blamed her sinful behavior on Satan, saying: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (c.f. Genesis 3:13). Adam, however, took the blame game one step further, telling God that the reason he had sinned was because: “The woman WHOM YOU GAVE TO BE WITH ME, she gave me from the tree, and I ate” (c.f. Genesis 3:12). To be sure, Adam was trying to pass some of the blame for what he had done to his wife – but he was blaming God even more. Because essentially what he said was this: “God, if You hadn’t given me this woman, I would never have been tempted to disobey You! So my sin is really Your fault!”

(d) James doesn’t delve into the mysteries of the origin of sin¹² – he simply says that “God cannot be tempted by evil, and (that) He … does not tempt anyone (to do evil)” (c.f. James 1:13). In other words, God is beyond the reach of temptation¹³ – sin holds no fascination, no attraction, no allure for Him (like it does for us) – evil is powerless against Him, powerless to entice Him, powerless to draw Him into its deadly web (c.f. James 1:15) – indeed, He can no more sin than He can cease to exist. It is utterly and completely impossible for God to be “tempted by evil” (c.f. James 1:13).

(e) And, since that’s true, it stands to reason that God “does not tempt anyone” (c.f. James 1:13) in the sense of trying to cause them to give in to evil and sin against Him. To do that would be a sin in and of itself – and God does not (and cannot) sin! God tests people – but He doesn’t tempt them. He sends His people trials to strengthen their faith, and show what they are made of (by His grace – I Corinthians 15:10) – but He NEVER tempts them (or anyone else) for the purpose of causing them to succumb to some form of sinful behavior. As one writer said, in Scripture Satan is called “the tempter” (c.f. Matthew 4:3) – not God!¹²

(3) So where do the temptations to commit evil (that we all face) come from? Obviously James doesn’t blame God – nor does he lay the blame at Satan’s door, even though we know from other places in Scripture that “the tempter” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:5) certainly figures into the equation (c.f. I Peter 5:8). Instead, he says YOU AND I ARE TO BLAME. Specifically what He says is this: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed BY HIS OWN LUST” (c.f. James 1:14).

(a) The phrase “each one” (c.f. James 1:14) underscores the fact that temptation is a universal problem.¹⁴ No one escapes¹⁵ – not even Christians – not even Reformed Presbyterians. Even Jesus did not escape (c.f. Hebrews 4:15).

(b) Moreover, you and I are going to encounter temptations wherever we go – at work, at school, at home, at the grocery store, at the bowling alley, even at church. And the reason this is true is NOT because there’s an external problem (although there is) – it’s because we have an internal problem – a heart-problem, if you will (c.f. Matthew 15:19) – a lustful heart-problem to be more precise (c.f. James 1:14) – a problem we carry around with us everywhere we go – a problem that enables temptations of all kinds to “entice” us (c.f. James 1:14) into doing things we know are sinful, or that blind us to the sinful nature of what we’re doing.

(c) We will come back and look at these things in more depth next time. But for now, in closing, we need to realize that the greatest enemy we face is NOT the world, or things in the world (c.f. I John 2:15) – nor is it even the devil, as powerful and influential as he is. The greatest enemy we face is not from without, but from within – namely, our own sinful, lustful, darkness-loving (c.f. John 3:19) heart.

Knowing this should give us renewed impetus to pray the petition in the Lord’s Prayer that says: “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (c.f. Matthew 6:13) – which is not to suggest that God tempts us to sin,¹⁵ but that we need His help to keep from succumbing to the enticements of the enemy within.