James does not attempt to give any theological explanation for the origin of sin. His purpose is to point toward the practical expres sion of our faith and the impor tance of clear thinking on the sub ject. There is absolutely nothing in the person of Cod to which evil can possibly appeal. He tempts no one, nor is He temptable. This does not rule out the fact that Cod per mits certain things to come into our lives. These He uses to further His inscrutable purposes in the af fairs of men and nations. The origination of sin is spelled out for us beginning with verse 14. It comes as a result of being drawn away from the Lord and becoming attached to our own lusts and pas sions. The activities of the devil and his demonic forces certainly enter into the picture, but they are not the ultimate cause of our sin ning. Each person is tempted from within himself. The word "lust" is associated with all the various desires of the soul. We sin because something in our soul as a part of the old nature craves wickedness (Eph. 2:3). The "flesh" represents everything we inherit from Adam. The lusts of the flesh speak of all those inclinations which errupt from our corrupt sin ful human natures. The words "drawn away" (vrs. 14) carry with them the idea of al lurement. There is something in side which attracts us to sin. The old nature impells us in the direc tion of evil. Then "enticed" is a hunter's term which has behind it the idea of luring an animal into a trap by some cunning device. There is within us that which makes us easy bait for the outward solici tation to evil. The truth is that
ticements to evil. Here there is left no doubt. Cod can never have anything to do with solicitations to do wrong! He cannot be impli cated in our sinfulness. There is no way you can blame the Lord for your propensity to wickedness. James doesn't reject divine sover- einty. He simply emphasizes our human responsibility. This is a tre mendous factor which James brings to our attention and for our ad monition and spiritual inspiration. Operating Under Pressure In order to profit the greatest from any book of the Bible, one of the most valuable things you can do is to sit down and read through it in its entirety all at one time. This is certainly true with James which can be read, all five chap ters, in a half hour or less. Try it for yourself and see the difference it can make in your understanding of the total message. The underliyng theme of the first chapter is the importance of ask ing Cod for wisdom that we may understand the nature of our trials. If we pray without faith, if we find joy only in material riches, or if we yield to evil solicitations, we will surely find our lives confused, mis erai and as vascillating as the rest less waves of the sea. We have seen that, according to vrs. 3, Cod can not be implicated in our sins. You cannot excuse yourself by saying, "Cod made me the way I am and therefore I can not help myself in areas of weak ness. If He is sovereign why does not the Lord restrain me from sin ning?" Such reasoning is the height of folly! James makes it per fectly clear that God will not be blamed for man's sin directly or indirectly. Page 52
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