Blaming God
Temptation, and the sin that follows, can be powerful foes. But we often give them far more power over us than they actually have and far too often we look to blame someone else for our struggles. Have you, or someone you know, ever made the statement “I am just not strong enough to resist” when faced with temptation? What are we really saying when we say that? Aren’t we saying that God didn’t make us strong enough and that the temptation is more powerful than we are? So, guess what? It’s not my fault. What about when we tell boys and men who may be struggling with lust of the eye that “men are just wired that way”? Aren’t we saying that God made males lustful - they are just made that way? So, guess what? It isn’t their fault, they just have to learn to control it. Isn’t that the same argument the homosexual and transgender communities make as well? Some will argue, “God made me gay” or ”God made me a male but I’m really a female.” So, guess what? It’s not my fault. God becomes the source of the temptation and if that temptation leads to sin, guess what, it’s not my fault it is God’s fault. This type of reasoning isn’t new. When God asked Adam in the Garden if he had eaten the fruit that God had forbidden, Adam’s answer blames God for his temptation and ultimate sin. “That woman that YOU gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). The implication is that if God hadn’t given Adam this woman, he wouldn’t have sinned. But the reality is that Adam was tempted by his own desire to eat the fruit and he ate it. It was not God tempting him but his desire that caused the temptation.
In James’ letter to the early church, he deals with this very issue. “Let no one say when he is tempted, that he is being tempted by God…” (James 1:13). James gives two reasons why this cannot and is not that case. First, “for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13). God is working to save us through His word of truth (1:21). Scripture is clear that God wants all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). If He is then working to cause you to fall and sin - that would be evil. And since God cannot (not possible) for God to be tempted by evil - He does not tempt anyone. Second, James shows that God only gives “good and perfect gifts” and that God is consistent in that - “in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). Temptation is not a “good and perfect gift” and so its source is not God.
But if it is not God fault, whose fault is it? It must be the Devil, the tempter! Again, we look for someone to blame other than ourselves. In the 1970s, the comedian Flip Wilson had a recurring character that he played named Geraldine. When Geraldine got herself into trouble her favorite line was “The Devil made me do it!” So, guess what? It was not her fault. It is true that the Devil is the father of lies (John 8:44) and a tempter (Matt 4:3). But before we blame him for our problems, let us be clear that there is no verse of Scripture that would suggest that the Devil can MAKE you do anything or MAKE you think anything.
So then who is to blame? James explains - “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed BY HIS OWN LUST” (James 1:14). Satan may use our desires against us, but do not be deceived - they are our desires to begin with! James here shows us that while temptation is universal to all men (“each one is tempted”) , it is also custom built by each one’s own desires. Temptation baits the hook with the things that we want - BUT WE PROVIDE THE BAIT! Then when “lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin” (1:15). When we allow our desires and lusts to take us in tow and drag us where we WANT to go - our desires give birth to our sin.
Brothers and sisters, we all struggle with temptation and sin. But if we are ever going to conquer them, we must start by taking a good, honest look at ourselves. We must stop blaming others and reshape our thinking and focus. James points us to the word of truth as the solution. Where temptation and sin bring forth death (1:15), God, through His word of truth, is bringing us forth as the best of His creatures. He is working to save our souls (1:18, 21). When we look in the mirror of God’s word we can see who we really are and the things we must change.