A Final Warning
James 1:13
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone
James closes out this section of God’s blueprint for building believers with a final warning. He reminds us that God is only interested in bringing out the best in us and would never tempt us to sin. So ask yourself an important question, “Can I fall into sin while going through a trial sent by God?” The answer is YES! Even though God’s intention to build your faith through trials is something good, you can still fall into sin by your attitude and response to the trial.
Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”
Let us review the situation. God sends a trial into your life to mold you into a mature and complete believer, not lacking anything. This would be a good thing God is doing, so he asks you to demonstrate a heart of joy as you go through the testing. He promises to give you wisdom to help with the trial and promises a blessing once you have gone through the trial. BUT… you struggle in the trial and begin to grumble and complain. You have no joy, you have a bad attitude, you are not praying through the trial. The trial overwhelms you and deep down you become angry with God about the trial. Did God cause you to sin? Is it God's fault you have failed the faith building test?
Something very similar happened to the Apostle Peter. Take some time to re-read the story in Matthew 14:22-33 before continuing into the next section of our study.
Peter and the other disciples experienced a trial while on a boat in the Sea of Galilee as a sudden storm pushed them far from the shoreline. It was dark and they were all afraid. The wind and waves pounded their boat. They became exhausted from trying to row back to the shore when all of a sudden they saw something walking towards them on the water. The disciples became terrified thinking the figure was a ghost, not recognizing it was Jesus. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'” Once Peter realized it was Jesus, he asked, "Tell me to come to you on the water" and Jesus replied, "Come." So Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water.
Now, ask yourself this question: Why would Peter get out of a perfectly good boat in the middle of a raging storm?
Peter did not sit down in the boat, cross his arms, and complain about why Jesus did not come sooner. He did not complain the other eleven disciples weren't rowing as hard as he was. Peter did not give up. Instead, he decided it was safer in the water, in a raging storm, with Jesus than it was with his fellow disciples in the boat.
When a trial begins to feel overwhelming you have only two choices to make. You can either step away from God or step towards Him. Stepping away from God means you will endure the test alone and in your own strength. This choice usually ends with complaining, anger, and frustration. Stepping toward God means you will seek His wisdom and strength to endure the trial.
Now back to Peter. He steps out of the boat and onto the water... his eyes on Jesus as he walks toward Him. Then all of a sudden Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and "when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'” Jesus immediately reaches out and catches Peter asking him, "Why did you doubt?"
There is a lesson here. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused his attention on the raging storm. He let fear enter his life which resulted in his doubting of Jesus' power over all things. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the author and finisher of our faith. Remember, this entire study in the book of James is about faith building. If you find yourself complaining, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed by a trial, check to see if you have placed you focus on the trail itself instead of the One who sent the trial. Turn to prayer and ask for wisdom, and strength, and perseverance. Ask others to pray for you. Dive into the Word of God and remind yourself of God's sovereignty and power.
When we fail a trial we must not blame God. James says when you are tempted, which is another word for tested, no one should accuse God of leading them into sin. Why? Because God’s character has two great truths in regards to this matter: 1) God cannot be tempted, or tested, by evil. James is saying it is impossible for God to be tempted, or influenced to do evil; and 2) God does not tempt anyone do to evil. God will never tempt you to sin. His desire is to test and build your faith but if you sin in the process it is not God's fault... you simply failed the test. The good news is this...God forgives sins and will always reach out to catch you.
Something very similar happened to the Apostle Peter. Take some time to re-read the story in Matthew 14:22-33 before continuing into the next section of our study.
Peter and the other disciples experienced a trial while on a boat in the Sea of Galilee as a sudden storm pushed them far from the shoreline. It was dark and they were all afraid. The wind and waves pounded their boat. They became exhausted from trying to row back to the shore when all of a sudden they saw something walking towards them on the water. The disciples became terrified thinking the figure was a ghost, not recognizing it was Jesus. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'” Once Peter realized it was Jesus, he asked, "Tell me to come to you on the water" and Jesus replied, "Come." So Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water.
Now, ask yourself this question: Why would Peter get out of a perfectly good boat in the middle of a raging storm?
Peter did not sit down in the boat, cross his arms, and complain about why Jesus did not come sooner. He did not complain the other eleven disciples weren't rowing as hard as he was. Peter did not give up. Instead, he decided it was safer in the water, in a raging storm, with Jesus than it was with his fellow disciples in the boat.
When a trial begins to feel overwhelming you have only two choices to make. You can either step away from God or step towards Him. Stepping away from God means you will endure the test alone and in your own strength. This choice usually ends with complaining, anger, and frustration. Stepping toward God means you will seek His wisdom and strength to endure the trial.
Now back to Peter. He steps out of the boat and onto the water... his eyes on Jesus as he walks toward Him. Then all of a sudden Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and "when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'” Jesus immediately reaches out and catches Peter asking him, "Why did you doubt?"
There is a lesson here. Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused his attention on the raging storm. He let fear enter his life which resulted in his doubting of Jesus' power over all things. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the author and finisher of our faith. Remember, this entire study in the book of James is about faith building. If you find yourself complaining, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed by a trial, check to see if you have placed you focus on the trail itself instead of the One who sent the trial. Turn to prayer and ask for wisdom, and strength, and perseverance. Ask others to pray for you. Dive into the Word of God and remind yourself of God's sovereignty and power.
When we fail a trial we must not blame God. James says when you are tempted, which is another word for tested, no one should accuse God of leading them into sin. Why? Because God’s character has two great truths in regards to this matter: 1) God cannot be tempted, or tested, by evil. James is saying it is impossible for God to be tempted, or influenced to do evil; and 2) God does not tempt anyone do to evil. God will never tempt you to sin. His desire is to test and build your faith but if you sin in the process it is not God's fault... you simply failed the test. The good news is this...God forgives sins and will always reach out to catch you.
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