Verse 12 is the linchpin that holds vv. 2-11 and 13-15 together, and because of this connection, we have a more complete view of trials, temptation, sin, and God. First, what James discussed in vv. 2-8 regarding trials is in keeping with what we know of God in the life of Old Testament saints. God tested Abraham (Genesis 22), he tested
You see trial/testing is intended by God to make us mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4). But trial/testing is also the time when we are tempted to sin. With financial trials, we are tempted to disobey God or doubt his provision. With untimely or even timely death, we are tempted to abandon God. With a difficult marriage, we are tempted to leave, forsake, cheat, etc. With testing comes temptation. Because James knows this he wants to be clear about God and his authority over the trial, while insisting that God is not tempting us in the trial. In other words, God’s goal in testing is not for us to sin, but for us to mature. If this is the case, from where then does the temptation originate?
James is clear that the temptation originates in us. We are tempted by our own desire. Now this is instructive for us on many levels, but there is one which I would like to highlight today. What is the highlight? It is that we tempt ourselves. Read that again, we tempt ourselves! Has it sunk in? You see we tend to think that we are tempted by other people or things. In other words, we tend to follow the pattern of Adam and Eve and blame something other than ourselves for our temptation and sin (Genesis 3:12-13). But James will not let us blame-shift. How are we tempted? By our own desires, which lure and entice us.
While in a time of testing, then, we must remember that God is on our side, that he is good, and that he does not do the tempting. Why did James include this bit? It seems because he knows that one way in which we can be tempted is to think that God is against us, and that he wants us to fail. In other words in the midst of testing we are tempted to believe that God has left us, that he planned evil for our misfortune. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Why? Because God is holy; he cannot be tempted, nor does he tempt anyone. God’s desires do not lead him to sin, they cannot, they will not. In fact, it is because of God’s desire (‘he chose’ in the NIV) that we experience birth through the word of truth. God is good, and all that he does is good. He cannot do any other. To think other than this is to form an idol.
If you want to persevere under trial, and receive the crown of life, then what is called for is a vigilant controlling of your own desires. Sin and eventually death are birthed from an affair with desire. So if you seek to persevere, you must understand and control your desires. The testing will reveal your desires, and you will be tempted to follow those desires to get them satisfied with ungodly means. But the desires must be kept in check, so that they do not lead to sin, but obedient living to God the Father of heavenly lights.