James 1:5-15 ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. ⁹ The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰ But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. ¹² Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

So many different topics in this brief reading:  Asking God for things with confidence. Being content with your circumstances. Remaining steadfast under trials. But the one I want you to consider with me today is temptation.

James affirms that God does not tempt us to sin. The explanation to Luther’s Small Catechism has the following question and answer under the discussion of the Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer:

229. Into what kinds of evil do our spiritual enemies try to mislead us?

The devil, the world, and our sinful nature try to mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great sins.  (Luther, M. (1991). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.)

You will be tempted today. You have already been tempted today. And all too often we give in to those temptations. James describes the result of giving in to those temptations unchecked:  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

 It is because your heavenly Father was not content with that outcome that He took action. Jesus earned your Crown of Life so that you could escape the punishment you so rightly deserve. You will still be tempted, but remember this encouragement from Paul:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.