God is the Deliverer, not the tempter.
James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”
The word “tempt” has two primary meanings in the Bible. It is vital that you don’t get the two confused.
Let’s define them according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. It is a reliable resource to define Bible words quickly.
Definition 1 – “To incite or solicit to an evil act; to entice to something wrong by presenting arguments that are plausible or convincing, or by the offer of some pleasure or apparent advantage as the inducement.”
This is a temptation to sin.
Definition 2 – “In Scripture, to try: to prove; to put to trial for proof.”
This is a temptation to see.
God will never tempt you to sin. He does not attempt to deceive you or to encourage you to sin. He doesn’t offer enticements to sin. He will not test you by providing you with an opportunity to sin.
The Bible explicitly warns that you do not attribute sinful temptation as coming from God. To do so would show a lack of knowledge as to Who God is and how He works.
God is not tempted with evil. He feels no pull to sin. He has no iniquity encouraging Him to do wrong. He has no desires of sinful lust. He is pure. He is holy. In Him is no darkness at all!
God will tempt people as mentioned in definition 2. He will give us difficult choices or put us in challenging situations to see what we will do. God knows what we will do ahead of time through His foreknowledge. Nevertheless, He gives us the opportunity to act in faith or doubt. Our actions reveal what God knows to be true. Furthermore, our actions expose to ourselves and others what is truly in our hearts.
As God tempted Abraham with Isaac, He will test you. But He will not tempt you to sin.
We have enemies in the battle of temptation. The world system is set up to encourage and perpetuate sin. Our own flesh cries out for the indulgence of sinful appetites but is never satisfied. Satan sets up traps and temptations. Yes, we have many enemies trying to get us to sin, but God is not One of them.
God is our Deliverer. He is the One Who can release us from sin. It is He Who saves us from the penalty, power, and presence of sin.
Turn to God today for help. Call upon His name for deliverance. Ask Him forgiveness for sins committed in the past and sins desired in the present. Beg Him to break the chains of bondage that enslave you.
God can rescue you. Through faith in Christ, submission to His will, obedience to His Word, and fulness His Spirit, you will be free!
[callout]“God, thank You for not tempting me with sin. I know You allow us to be tempted with evil, yet You give us strength to say no. You are the Deliverer not the tempter. Please deliver me from sin today. Empower my life to bring you glory through obedience and holiness. Amen.'[/callout]
Today’s Bible Reading: James 1
Read this devotional series from the beginning here.