Verse of the Day Devotion: James 1:13

“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.” – James 1:13

Trials come and trials go.  It seems we all go through trials occasionally, some more than others.  Sometimes we consider trials as times when things do not go the way we want them to.  However, we should always remember two important verses and take them to heart.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. Difficult times are often ways God can bring about a good that is best received in difficult situations.  One example is helping us learn to trust Him.  The second reason is so we can comfort others.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.  There are times when we go through trials so that we can be comforted by Him and thus be able to comfort others in the same way.  In both of these, we can be thankful to God for these trials because He will bring a good out of it for us, and possibly bring a good out of it for another because we will then be able to comfort them in the same way were comforted.

But one thing we should never do is believe we are being tempted by God in this trial.  Now, we may never say we are tempted by God but our response to it can come across that way.  Let’s use for example the trial of losing our job.  This is not an easy thing to go through, especially if you really loved what you were doing.  Many friends you made there that you may never interact with anymore.  A good salary which was more than required to make it month to month is now gone.  First of all, God does not tempt us to do evil, just as He cannot be tempted to do evil.  We may get angry and say things we never should say to anyone.  We may harbor hate in our hearts for those who caused, or we assume caused this setback to happen.  He probably allowed this to occur for a good we, at this time, cannot see.  However, it is imperative that we trust God that He knows everything, and He means only good to come from it.

If we do not trust Him, then we may get carried away with our anger or hurt that we will tempt ourselves to sin.  “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” James 1:14. We may hold anger against people, which is wrong in and of itself, however, if we make assumptions about others which are false and are angry at others for essentially nothing, then we are sinning.  We cannot say God caused these bad things to happen for any other purpose but to bring a good about.  To think or say. “I am angry God because of what you did” is totally wrong.  We are angry because we do not trust our good and loving God.  Everything He does or allows is for good.  We must see things this way.  And if we do, then we can say instead ‘God, I trust you and look forward to what you have in store for me.’  No accusations, no temptation, no sin. And an added benefit, contentment that brings peace.  Glory to God.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.