The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:13-17, “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.

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.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

“Temptation” is the encouragement to do what is wrong, and we engage in it long before we know the definition of the word. When we’re old enough to know it is wrong, we find the “escape” in blaming someone else for what we do. Such a transfer of blame comes immediately on the heels of the action. Sometimes, we even seek to transfer the blame to God by saying, “I am being tempted by God.”

James is clear, however, saying, “God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” Rather, it is the enticement to do wrong that is evil, and God has no connection with that. Some years ago, it became popular to jest about wrongdoing by saying, “The devil made me do it.” Interestingly enough, however, James puts the blame on “lust”; and lust is blamed on mankind.

Shifting from evil to good, James informs us that every good and perfect thing is “from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James will not permit us to place the blame for sin anywhere but upon ourselves; nor will he permit us to take credit for any good that occurs. Good is ever and always from the LORD.

We must give close attention to all that occurs; and our concentration on God will endeavor us to be more and more like Him.

Heartily in Christ,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom