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James 1:14-15
14 But [de] every man [hekastos] is tempted [peirazo], when he is drawn away [exelko] of [hupo] his own [idios] lust [epithumia], and [kai] enticed [deleazo].
15 Then [eita] when lust [epithumia] hath conceived [sullambano], it bringeth forth [tikto] sin [hamartia]: and [de] sin [hamartia], when it is finished [apoteleo], bringeth forth [apokueo] death [thanatos]. KJV-Interlinear
14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. NASB
God is not able to sin, and God is able to, not sin. Therefore, God is not the source of sin, nor even of temptation.
And here James teaches us that man is the source of his own flaws, and failures, and of sin itself. But there are levels man has to pass before being committed to sin. Mans thoughts are not automatically sin unless he passes by these various levels of commitment to his wants and desires.
Man is born with many natural wants, and needs and desires. These in themselves are not sin. They are innocent levels of consciousness.
Whether in hunger or pleasure, whether in need or entertainment, even Adam and Eve had driving forces within their nature which were not counted as sin. They had only one restriction, and that was to not eat of the forbidden fruit.
But after the fall in the Garden, then a second category of desires came onto the sin scene, and that was in response to mans attempt to cover up his flaws and drive his own destiny himself. Thus, evil was fully evolved at that point, leaving only its development to be carried out during human history.
Man can look at members of the opposite sex and enjoy their beauty. Man can look at scenic views and enjoy its beauty. Man can look at the possessions of another and enjoy their beauty. Man can do all of these and more, and still not reach the point of lust and then sin.
Here James teaches us that there is the look, then the temptation, then combined with lust, and finally the going beyond the point of temptation when the thought or desire or act becomes transformed into sin.
The look or thought may not be sin. It may simply be appreciation of something seen. But when combined with lust, or the abnormal desire, then temptation enters into the picture. This still may not be the point of sin, but man is a weak creature by his very nature, and when lust or temptation is entertained within ones mind, the line to cross for sin is almost immediate.
Within himself, man does not have the power with which to prevent himself from crossing the line of sin. Don't fool yourself. And don't be stupid and try to fool others. Life is not a game of chicken, that you can play dodge with Gods mandates.
God forbids sin, but man is up to his eyeballs in it. Adam could not resist a bite of fruit. How can you resist far greater lusts or temptations?
Quite simply, James tells us that temptation is found within us, and does not come from any outside source. It does not comes from God, and it does not come from anyone or anything else.
A beautiful person is not the source of temptation. Gold is not the source of temptation.
But when your normal desires cross the line of the abnormal, producing lust, then temptation evolves within your own soul. Persistence in that course produces sin.
Verse 14 produces an image of a double metaphor. The first is that of dragging a fish caught by a hook. The hook was concealed with bait, but the bait was so desirable the fish took the bait, thus was caught by the hidden hook and led to his ultimate demise when pulled out of the water.
The second is that of the enticements of a prostitute. The enticements entertain the desires of the young man, who becomes hooked by the bait, and thus led to his demise.
Death is the ultimate result of sin. But this is not physical death for we all sin and we do not fall down dead immediately.
Verse 15 produces a another metaphor, which is that of a spider who spins but a single strand of its web. It is thin and imperceptible and can be broken easily, but with repeated spinning's, the single thread can become a mighty cord that is not so easily broken. Thus the commitment to the disregard of truth, means the commitment to sin, and sooner or later it will be so strong in ones life that getting away from sin will be extremely difficult.
Now remember that sin is not limited to some act, but more often is that of an entire mind set which drives your pattern of life.
Death is the result. And this death is ones spiritual death, or your eviction from fellowship.
In order to get back into fellowship, you have to confess your sins. That detailed study is in 1, 2, 3 Jn.
Truth through the study of Bible doctrine, while in fellowship, is your only, repeat, your only defense against sin and a life of evil.
In life, you have growth and productivity. But in death, well a dead thing produces nothing and has nothing. And that is the ultimate reality that you must face in life. In Christ there is life, otherwise you have nothing. And the end of your life will reveal all of that to you once and for all. But why wait until it is too late to learn the truth.
